Digital Learning Tab: This current tab provides information and links related to digital learning plans and standards, the adoption of computer science standards and state definitions for personalized learning. Visit the Instructional Materials, Procurement and Professional Learning Tabs for more information on this state.
Ohio does not require district level educational technology plans.
Ohio has in place technology learning standards that include educational technology standards.
A learning model that allows for the different ways students achieve their best. Teachers who oversee their students’ personalized learning address their learning experiences and apply appropriate instructional approaches and academic support strategies that meet individual students’ distinct learning needs, interests, aspirations or cultural backgrounds. Ohio’s personalized learning definition is found in our new strategic plan for education, Each Child, Our Future.
The state of Ohio has a review process for Early Learning instructional resources. The INFOhio Early Learning Portal is for parents and educators of children ages three through five. It was designed to help prepare Ohio’s early learners for school and their future. Each resource in the portal was selected and evaluated by librarians and educators using our rubric. All resources align with the Ohio Early Learning Standards. There currently is no review process in place for K – 12 instructional materials.
The state encourages LEAs via webinars, electronic newsletters and face-to-face meetings to use these resources but also to develop additional digital instructional materials aligned to the learning standards that meet the needs of their students.
Textbook refers to any book or book substitute that a pupil uses as a consumable or non consumable text, text substitute, or text supplement in a particular class or program in the school the pupil regularly attends.
A definition for AIM/AEM appears on the AT AEM Center website, which is funded by the department. Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) are materials designed or converted in a way that makes them usable across the widest range of student variability regardless of format. In relation to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the term AIM refers to print instructional materials that have been transformed into four specialized formats (audio, braille, digital, and large print text). Sometimes students with disabilities have difficulty accessing print in the same way as their peers. To succeed in school, these students need learning materials presented in a way that works for them. In 2014, the term accessible educational materials or AEM was expanded to include both print- and technology-based educational materials including electronic textbooks, and related core materials. Practically speaking the terms AIM and AEM are often used interchangeably.
Ohio uses the terms Assistive technology device and Assistive technology service. These definitions mirror the federal definitions.
(A) The board of education of each school district shall be the sole authority in determining and selecting all of the following to be used in the schools under its control: (1) Textbooks, pursuant to section 3329.08 of the Revised Code, and reading lists; (2) Instructional materials; (3) Academic curriculum.
Districts shall prescribe a curriculum for all schools under its control. Districts have flexibility to determine which instructional materials they use to deliver the curriculum.
Guidance is provided through an online learning module (Navigating Accessible Educational Materials), website resources, and training through the AT&AEM Center.
Guidance is provided through an online learning module (49 modules), website resources, and training through the AT&AEM Center.
Ohio districts and schools are on hour-based, not day-based, schedules. The result is there are no longer calamity days in Ohio schools. Instead, schools should schedule “excess” hours above the minimum number of required hours to accommodate weather-related situations that delay or cancel school. Hours missed above the required minimum do not have to be made up. However, if a school closes enough that it will fall below the minimum number of hours, the school must make up the hours by extending its scheduled year. One way to make up the hours missed below the minimum required is a plan that requires students to access and complete classroom lessons posted on the district’s or nonpublic school’s web portal or website.
Ohio has a state hosted learning management system to deliver online professional development to Ohio certified educators. The system is available through the Ohio Department of Education’s SAFE portal.
Ohio students have access to digital collections with subscription services at no cost through INFOhio, the state’s virtual PreK-12 library.https://www.infohio.org. Ohio has a repository for accessible educational materials at the Assistive Technology and Accessible Educational Materials Center and the State Library of Ohio.https://ataem.org/
Districts fund the purchase of digital instructional materials with general state funds and/or local initiatives.
Ohio does not procure resources for schools or districts on a statewide level. Each school district has the constitutional authority, from state and/or local resources, to procure and use digital resources and innovative educational technologies as they deem appropriate to meet educational goals and requirements. The Ohio Department of Education has developed digital instructional materials aligned to the Ohio Learning Standards that provide guidance and support to LEAs in implementing the Learning Standards. The department encourages LEAs via webinars, electronic newsletters and face-to-face meetings to use these resources but also to develop additional digital instructional materials aligned to the Learning Standards that meet the needs of their students.
Ohio public school districts must adopt or purchase printed or electronic textbooks from publishers approved by the Ohio Department of Education that have agreed to sell textbooks to school districts in Ohio at a price no more than the lowest list wholesale price available to school districts in any other state.
Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-21 effective date 07/01/2014: Providing Instructional Material to Children with Visual Impairments and Others with Print Disabilities that are Listed for Sale by Publishers with the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Ohio’s Strategic Plan for Education. Each Child, Our Future is Ohio’s shared plan for ensuring that each student is challenged, prepared and empowered for his or her future by way of an excellent prekindergarten through grade 12 (preK-12) education. The plan’s purpose includes promoting high-quality educational practices across the state. This will include providing leadership and support for professional learning opportunities for educators related to the creation, selection and/or implementation of quality digital instructional materials. Ohio is in the initial stage of having discussions with partners about this new work.
On Feb. 13, 2019, Ohio launched Open Space a place where Ohio PreK-12 educators can create and share open educational resources that promote innovative and collaborative learning. Open Space provides professional learning opportunities to support the development of digital OER.
Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-21 effective date 07/01/2014: Providing Instructional Material to Children with Visual Impairments and Others with Print Disabilities that are Listed for Sale by Publishers with the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Technical Assistance is provided through an online learning module (Navigating Accessible Educational Materials), website resources, and training through the AT&AEM Center.
Guidance is provided through an online learning module (49 modules), website resources, and training through the AT&AEM Center.
