Last week Fairfield signed the Educator Preparation Program's EPP for Digital Equity and Transformation Pledge, committing to prepare educators with the skills to successfully use technology for learning in face-to-face, hybrid, and online classrooms.

By signing the pledge, Fairfield joins 35 institutions committed to preparing teachers to thrive in digital learning environments, use technology to pursue ongoing professional learning, and apply frameworks to accelerate transformative digital learning. Participating institutions also make a commitment to equip all faculty to continuously improve expertise in technology for learning, and to collaborate with school leaders to identify shared digital teaching competencies.

Fairfield’s Ed Tech program has received national recognition for excellence, notably by U.S. News and World Report, for inclusion among the 2022 Best Online Graduate Education Programs, and by Online Master’s Degrees for the 2022 Best Online Master’s Programs.

“Prior to the pandemic, we knew there was a digital divide and that not all students had access to the necessary devices,” explained Joshua Elliott, EdD, director of the Educational Technology program. “We now know it is just as important to ensure our teachers have the skills and training to use the devices effectively. Joining the pledge is another example of Fairfield’s commitment to equipping new teachers with the skills to effectively use, model, and teach technology skills in the classroom.”

The EPP for Digital Equity and Transformation Pledge is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Education and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). 

“Knowing how to use technology to support student learning is an essential skill for any teacher to thrive in a post-Covid world,” said Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE. “I’m thrilled that Fairfield University is committed to embedding tech skills into their program so all Fairfield teacher candidates will be prepared to hit the ground running.”