SDL Technology and Digital Learning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A school district wants to provide meaningful professional development in educational technology. Research shows which approach is most effective for sustained classroom integration?
- One-day summer workshops covering a wide range of tools
- Ongoing, job-embedded coaching with follow-up classroom observations and feedback (Correct answer)
- Self-paced online modules completed independently by teachers
- Vendor-led product demonstrations before each new software rollout
Correct answer: Ongoing, job-embedded coaching with follow-up classroom observations and feedback
Job-embedded coaching with observation and feedback is consistently shown to produce lasting changes in instructional practice because it contextualizes technology use within teachers' actual classrooms.
Question 2: Which federal program provides discounts on telecommunications, internet access, and internal network infrastructure to eligible schools and libraries?
- Title IV-A Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants
- E-Rate (Schools and Libraries Program) (Correct answer)
- Perkins Career and Technical Education Act funding
- IDEA Part B technology set-aside funds
Correct answer: E-Rate (Schools and Libraries Program)
The E-Rate program, administered by the FCC, provides discounts of 20–90% on telecommunications and internet services based on economic need and rural status.
Question 3: A district is designing a blended learning model. Which characteristic BEST defines the blended learning approach?
- Students complete all coursework online without attending a physical school
- Instruction combines face-to-face teacher-led activities with online learning giving students some control over pace and path (Correct answer)
- Teachers record video lectures for students to watch at home while using class time for tests
- The district replaces textbooks with tablets containing digital versions of the same content
Correct answer: Instruction combines face-to-face teacher-led activities with online learning giving students some control over pace and path
Blended learning is defined by combining in-person instruction with online learning in a way that gives students some element of control over time, place, path, or pace of their education.
Question 4: ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) standards for students emphasize which core competency as foundational to all other technology skills?
- Computational thinking and coding proficiency
- Empowered learning through leveraging technology as a tool for self-directed growth (Correct answer)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications
- Keyboard typing speed of at least 40 words per minute
Correct answer: Empowered learning through leveraging technology as a tool for self-directed growth
ISTE's Empowered Learner standard positions students as active, self-directed learners who leverage technology to drive their own learning goals, which underpins all other ISTE student standards.
Question 5: Which law specifically restricts commercial websites from collecting personal information from children under age 13 without verifiable parental consent?
- FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
- COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) (Correct answer)
- CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act)
- PPRA (Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment)
Correct answer: COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act)
COPPA, enforced by the FTC, prohibits operators of commercial websites and online services from collecting personal information from children under 13 without obtaining verifiable parental consent.
Question 6: A district adopts a social media policy for staff. Which element is most critical to include to protect both students and district employees?
- A ban on all staff personal social media accounts
- Clear boundaries prohibiting private communications with students through personal accounts and protecting student privacy (Correct answer)
- Requirements that all staff follow the district's official accounts
- Restricting staff from posting any content related to education topics
Correct answer: Clear boundaries prohibiting private communications with students through personal accounts and protecting student privacy
Establishing clear prohibitions on private student-staff communications through personal accounts and protecting student information are the most critical safeguards for both legal compliance and professional ethics.
Question 7: When selecting assistive technology for students with disabilities, which requirement ensures the district's technology tools are accessible under federal law?
- Providing all students with the same device regardless of need
- Ensuring technology meets Section 508 accessibility standards and IEP-specified accommodations are addressed (Correct answer)
- Purchasing only vendor tools that claim universal design features
- Limiting assistive technology decisions to the special education director without superintendent oversight
Correct answer: Ensuring technology meets Section 508 accessibility standards and IEP-specified accommodations are addressed
Section 508 accessibility standards and IDEA requirements mandate that districts ensure technology used by students with disabilities is accessible and that IEP teams specify needed assistive technology supports.
SDL Technology and Digital Learning 2
A school district wants to provide meaningful professional development in educational technology.
Research shows which approach is most effective for sustained classroom integration?