Amplifying Teaching and Learning Through Technology

We commit to supporting the ever-changing needs of educators and searching for solutions to the most enduring challenges in education in North Carolina and beyond. The Friday Institute’s scholars, researchers and educational practitioners are uniquely positioned to amplify teaching and learning through innovative technologies and strategies. Leveraging our intellectual and technological capital, we make breakthroughs in education that empower educators to change the world.

Friday Institute’s Longtime Commitment to Digital Learning Helps Change North Carolina’s Education Landscape

After years of behind-the-scenes research, planning, collaboration, facilitation and evaluation, the Friday Institute’s instrumental role in the North Carolina Digital Learning Initiative led to every single student (1.5 million) and teacher in all 115 school districts in North Carolina having access to unlimited broadband in their classrooms—the first state in the nation to tout this accomplishment.

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Two boys sit in front of laptops at a table in a classroom Two boys sit in front of laptops at a table in a classroom
As of 2019, PTMT materials had reached over 6,000 educators in 35 states and 15 countries. As of 2019, PTMT materials had reached over 6,000 educators in 35 states and 15 countries.

Preparing to Teach Mathematics with Technology (PTMT)

In addition to creating high-quality materials, the PTMT project has impacted the professional learning of 250+ mathematics teacher educators, and subsequently, over 6,000 teachers have been prepared with PTMT materials. As of 2019, PTMT materials had reached educators in 35 states and 15 countries.

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Friday Institute Facilitates Training of 1,100 Educators to Teach Computer Science in Every Middle and High School in North Carolina

Since 2017, the Friday Institute has trained over 550 new computer science teachers in introductory computer science courses. A three-year $1.8 million grant from NCDPI gave the Friday Institute the ability to expand its computer science teacher professional learning program to train 1,100 educators so every middle school and high school in North Carolina has a highly qualified computer science teacher.

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ZSpace STEM Lab

Using zSpace®, an innovative virtual reality technology, the Friday Institute created and implemented a variety of science lessons in Vance County, North Carolina. By 2020, our Innovations in STEM Education Research team had brought this technology to all 8th graders, about 230 students, at two Vance County schools.

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North Carolina Broadband Survey

We’re working with the North Carolina Department of Information Technology and North Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Office to improve internet access in North Carolina–in homes, schools and communities. To do this, we’ve co-developed a survey to identify gaps in service, guide funding opportunities and inform research and policy recommendations. As of September 28, 2020, 40,000 North Carolinians have taken the survey.

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