Recordings are now available for each session. Click on the title of each session below for access to the recorded webinar.

We know that quality instructional materials make a difference. Research tells us that after teacher and student engagement, instructional materials have the greatest impact on student learning. Finding the best materials for every student can be difficult. Ensuring access to vetted, standards-aligned materials that promote and celebrate equity for each student can be a challenge to districts and schools. INFOhio is dedicated to providing quality instructional materials that meet the needs of Ohio’s learners and align with Each Child, Our Future. Join us for a one-day, no-cost online conference to learn more about Ohio’s plan for securing quality instructional materials that are freely available and accessible for each child.

INFOhio's One-day Conference: Instructional Materials Matter

This no-cost conference began with a keynote session on why instructional materials matter from the Ohio Department of Education with additional sessions throughout the day on quality INFOhio resources, web tools, and professional development. All webinars during this one-day conference were recorded and links are now posted. Participants can earn a certificate after completing a quiz for each session attended, with up to five contact hours possible. Session titles, access to recordings, and details are highlighted below.  

Keynote: Ohio Department of Education 

Paolo DeMaria, Ohio's Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Sherry Birchem, Director of the Ohio Department of Education's Office of Learning and Instructional Strategies, will give an overview of high-quality instructional materials in Ohio and will connect the dots between high-quality instructional materials, Each Child, Our Future, and student achievement.

Identify High-Quality Instructional Materials with EdReports and the RemotEDx Rubric 

Teachers and administrators know how important high-quality instructional materials are for student learning, but access to the best materials remains an issue for many educators. Time is of the essence, and too often, the criteria for high-quality instructional materials is unclear. To build capacity in Ohio schools to find and use quality materials, INFOhio has partnered with EdReports to provide a free class on how to use their reviews of instructional materials available for districts. In addition, INFOhio synthesized criteria from various sources for high-quality instructional materials in the development of the RemotEDx Rubric, creating a tool that can be used not only for Open Educational Resources, but also when considering supplemental materials. Also learn more about INFOhio's platform, available through the RemotEDx Exchange, to provide EdReports content for Ohio educators. Districts looking for how to find and evaluate instructional materials will benefit from this session.

Open Space: Harnessing the Power of Open Educational Resources 

Educators may often feel as though they have to create every lesson from scratch, leading to additional stress and time lost. On the other end of the spectrum, some teachers may feel forced into following a prescribed curriculum with little opportunity to enhance lessons, differentiate to support all learners, or use their strengths in the classroom. Students aren't the only ones who benefit from quality content. Having access to a wide range of rich, creative lessons made or vetted by other educators and agencies can provide educators a means to overcome barriers and gaps in a curriculum, reduce stresses of lesson planning, and allow teachers and educators to do what they do best. In this session, participants will learn the basics of Open Educational Resources (OER), explore a platform for finding, sharing, and creating OER, and see the power that OER can have on a curriculum, students, and educators.

Reimagine Your PreK–5 Classroom with Quality Materials from INFOhio 

INFOhio provides Ohio educators, students, and families with no-cost, equitable access to quality instructional materials. Research shows that when teachers have access to quality, standards-aligned instructional materials it makes a difference in their teaching practice as well as the instruction students receive. Quality instructional materials are flexible and adaptive, culturally responsive, research-based, standards-aligned, and user friendly. Find out how INFOhio’s PreK–5 digital resources support these indicators of quality instructional materials and how you can use them to help your students achieve success inside and outside of the classroom.

Reimagine Your 6–12 Classroom with Quality Materials from INFOhio 

Quality counts, and ensuring that all students and teachers in Ohio have equitable access to quality instructional materials is at the heart of INFOhio's mission. According to a study cited by EdReports, high-quality instructional materials and textbooks are cited as a top funding priority for teachers. Quality resources are easy to use, are adaptable for any learning environment, and are culturally responsive to ensure all students are seen and heard. Quality, no-cost instructional materials are easier to find than you think. Learn how to locate and integrate quality digital resources from INFOhio into your classrooms for grades 6-12.

Questions about this one-day conference? Contact us at support.infohio.org.