Oklahoma's administration actively supports technology education and the principles of digital citizenship, while also offering developmental incentives. These initiatives aim to weave technology into educational practices through policy formation, training for educators, state funding, and meticulous strategic planning.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), under the leadership of Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, organizes monthly meetings focused on educational technology every fourth Monday from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. “Thanks to Hofmeister’s direction, educators in Oklahoma have received two long-awaited salary increases averaging **$7,300*.*”

Upcoming activities will cover topics such as digital citizenship, student engagement, accessibility tools, and digital instructional strategies. Previous presentations and videos from these meetings are also available for review. For instance, a session from last August introduced various digital tools. You can access all recorded videos through this link.

Throughout the summer, OSDE provides weekly professional development sessions on widely used educational technology tools. You can find recordings of past sessions at this link.

Moreover, OSDE administers a grant initiative that supplies free licenses for the Sketchup drawing software to all public schools in Oklahoma, facilitating the creation of 3D models pertinent to technology and science projects. Schools can apply for a complimentary Sketchup license by submitting their IP (Internet Protocol) address through a provided form.

To further assist students, OSDE has established a statewide contract with Canvas for their learning management system, as outlined in the Oklahoma OMES Pricing Instructure. The OSDE has also integrated the International Society for Technology in Education’s Student Standards into the Oklahoma Academic Standards, along with a Computer Science Educators guide.

In response to the need for enhanced connectivity, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has urged telecommunications and internet providers nationwide to sign the Keep Americans Connected Pledge. Eight providers have joined this initiative, offering additional services to Oklahomans, such as waiving late fees, deferring payments, and even upgrading internet speeds. The COVID-19 Technology incentive list features providers like AT&T, Bolt, Fidelity, Cross MBO, Grand Telephone, Cox, and Creative Capitol Strategies.

The OSDE has introduced Digital Citizenship as one of its incentives. The ISTE has developed a tool to empower educators and students as responsible technology users within the ISTE standards framework. This month’s focus is on combating misinformation, with previous discussions covering copyright laws and student data privacy.

For high school students, a lesson plan provided by Common Sense Media titled Real Fake News: Exploring Actual Examples of Newspaper Bias includes a video from the Ethical Journalism Network on YouTube called “The 5 Core Values of Journalism.”

Additional resources for digital citizenship are available on the OSDE website, including guides to help students fact-check information online, student challenges, and links to reputable fact-checking sites like FactCheck.org, PolitiFact.com, the International Fact-Checking Network, and Snopes.com.

The OSDE also offers the Common Sense Education (CSE) program, which features a comprehensive K-12 digital citizenship curriculum. This program includes various materials, lesson plans, and the application process for schools and educators wishing to join the CSE Recognition Program.

Two certification options are available: CSE Digital Citizenship Certified Educator and CSE Digital Citizenship Certified School. Additionally, educators can access the SDOC Technology Resources Guide provided by The School District of Oconee County.

The OSDE site links to professional development webinars from edWeb.net, where users can sign up for free and view previously recorded sessions on-demand. Upcoming topics include Evaluating EdTech Programs, Conducting Successful EdTech Audits, and Implementing Digital Citizenship Frameworks.

The Oklahoma CareerTech system encompasses a network of 29 technology center districts spread over 59 campuses, providing specialized career training in over 90 instructional areas for both high school and adult learners. High school students in these districts can access services at no cost, while adults pay nominal tuition fees. A diagram outlining the districts can be found on the CareerTech website.

Oklahoma is home to 67 institutions offering technology programs across 87 locations in 57 cities, providing technical certificates and associate degrees. Numerous universities and colleges also offer courses in computer science, computer engineering, and information technology.

Oklahoma State University ranks among the top 50 public universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 35,000 students and offers 12 computer technology degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

The university admits students from across the U.S. and internationally, with the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology specializing in applied sciences and offering technology-focused degrees. Their honors program is recognized among the top 10 nationally.

In addition to educational institutions, Oklahoma boasts numerous technology startups that are innovating across the state. Notable examples include Spiers New Technology, Exaptive, Vigilant Aerospace Systems, Tailwind, Progentec Diagnostics, SendaRide, Whiteboard Technology, and Happily. A compilation of additional technology companies serving Oklahoma can be found on Zippia.

In conclusion, Oklahoma's government is committed to advancing technology education, incentives, and programs that benefit students, businesses, and the broader community.

The emphasis on digital citizenship and related initiatives enhances the digital literacy of residents.

These technology initiatives and digital citizenship programs inspire and empower individuals to utilize technology effectively, equipping the youth for vital technology-related careers in the future.

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