NCPS AWARDED $49,050 GRANT TO ADVANCE DIGITAL-AGE LEARNING THROUGH ‘ECHOES OF EDUCATION’ PROJECT
NASHVILLE, N.C. — Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) has been awarded $49,050 through the Emerging Technologies Grant, part of North Carolina’s Digital Learning Initiative (DLI). This one-year grant will support the Digital Teaching and Learning department's innovative project, “Echoes of Education,” which aims to enhance digital-age teaching by integrating modern technology into classrooms and promoting creativity, communication, and digital citizenship among students.
In a press release from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), officials stated: “The State Board of Education approved 11 grant proposals for 10 public school units that will fund effective digital learning practices in North Carolina’s K-12 public schools. The state-funded competitive grant program under the state’s Digital Learning Initiative supports the development and dissemination of local innovative digital learning models.”
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt said, “These grants are a fundamental way to ensure that we are providing supports and resources for digital teaching and learning in North Carolina’s schools. If we want our state’s students to have ample opportunity for success after graduation, we must properly equip both students and educators with the tools to succeed and teach in our rapidly evolving, technology-forward world. These grants play a critical role in that effort.”
In Nash County, this project will create 10 mobile podcasting studios across district schools, promoting student-led content creation and developing cross-disciplinary engagement. The initiative aims to produce and publish at least 40 podcast episodes, featuring students in grades 4–13 across various curriculum areas, including STEM competitions, Battle of the Books, and school sports.
“With this grant, we’re excited to engage students and stakeholders in learning through podcasting, connecting curriculum with the real world,” said Caroline Aycock, interim director of digital teaching and learning. “As content creation hits new heights, our goal is to empower students with the skills they need now and, in the future, to share their voices, deepen their learning, and succeed in whatever they pursue.”
Both staff and students will receive comprehensive training and ongoing support to implement and sustain the initiative, encouraging collaboration across academic disciplines.
Through “Echoes of Education,” students will gain valuable digital communication skills and hands-on experience, learning to construct knowledge and practice responsible digital citizenship. This initiative aligns with the Digital Learning Plan’s goal of equipping students and educators with the tools and skills necessary for academic success and career readiness in today’s evolving technological landscape.
The Emerging Technologies Grant empowers NCPS to explore innovative methods of integrating technology into teaching and learning. With this project, the district continues to position itself as a leader in digital education, ensuring students are well-prepared for high-wage, high-demand careers.
About the Digital Learning Initiative: Authorized by the General Assembly in 2016, the Digital Learning Initiative supports innovative models of digital teaching across North Carolina. The initiative is a collaboration between the State Board of Education and the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation.
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Heather Louise Finch, Public Information Officer