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Clever DPSCD: Changing the Way Students Learn in a Digital Space

In the ever-changing educational environment of today, digital learning spaces have become a necessity for student learning and success. One of the digital learning spaces that has been transformational is Clever DPSCD--a tool that supports and designs student learning experiences within Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD). While Clever DPSCD is designed to simplify a access point to digital learning, it is more than a portal; it is the centralized learning space that can connect students, teacher /s, and families to several digital tools and applications.

What is Clever DPSCD?

Clever DPSCD is an easy to use Single Sign-On (SSO) platform that was created by Detroit Public Schools to make access and interaction within the digital learning environment easier, and more efficient for students. Students, educators, and administrators log into Clever to securely, and seamlessly, log into educational applications with one-click. These applications move from interactive textbooks to learning supports or communication platforms, without the need for remembering multiple passwords.

As part of DPSCD's commitment to digital literacy and equitable access, Clever is an easy-to-use portal that was developed to help overcome the problems of accessing multiple educational technologies. A central resource such as Clever reduces barriers to access to provide students the opportunity to spend more time learning and less time troubleshooting technical difficulties.

How Does Clever DPSCD Work?

Clever DPSCD fundamentally works on an SSO authentication system. Upon entering their unique username and password using district assigned credentials, users have instant access to all integrated digital tools. The benefits of using Clever as a single sign-on login system include:

·         Reduction in login steps which saves time and simplifies access.

·         Increased security for student data protection with recognized credentials.

·         Personalized dashboard based on student grade level and course load.

When students log in, they are provided with a user-friendly dashboard that has "tiles", or shortcuts, taken to application and resources that meet their learning needs. Common tools accessible through Clever can include i-Ready for math and reading diagnostics, MyOn digital libraries, Khan Academy lessons, Microsoft Teams for virtual classrooms, etc.

Features and Benefits of Clever DPSCD

1. All Learning at One Central Hub:

Easily one login, one location for academic applications to connect in the same virtual platform. Having a designated, organized, one-stop, consolidated meeting location to access instructional programming, homework assignments, and various multimedia resources creates a central hub with easier access to resources and reduces confusion or lost time trying to navigate to different websites or platforms for instructional programs and enhanced access - ultimately making a more effective learning opportunity. The district also has been continually adding applications to Clever DPSCD, so students are ultimately using a variety of new and exciting applications or materials to facilitate their learning opportunities - learning is always expanding and changing all the time!

2. Personalized and Individual Student Experiences:

Clever gradually personalizes the users' dashboard automatically, based on specific criteria such as student grade, student courses, and so forth. The personalization of Fair Applications and resources will provide each student that uses the Clever application, only with those software or applications that are appropriate for each student based on their respective course of study. The teacher benefits as well, because the teacher can assign tasks or activities or requirements to the students that are assigned under Clever, but the teacher has the ability to track students' progress in a timely, responsive manner, to update and monitor goal students learning in an output engine.

3. Parent and Educator Engagement

Clever DPSCD promotes collaboration by enabling teachers to observe and assist students (prior) while being able to engage with students. Parents have the ability to log in to observe or track their child’s progress, and other announcements that teachers can communicate. This type of engagement and involvement can potential lead to student success. Families and Educators as Interested Partners By providing simple modes of communication we are hoping to create a learning climate in which all stakeholders are engaged and informed.

4. Security and Privacy

DPSCD, as well as Clever, protects safety and privacy of student information continuously at school sites. The SSO platform minimizes exposure to password fatigue and phishing attempts, to the highest standards of data safety and/or protection of any sensitive information that may occur with the educational technology.

All districts/counties utilizing Clever, including DPSCD have data governance guidelines and policy to address jurisdiction safety, security and privacy working to balance access to data with appropriate protections in place.

How to Sign in and Use Clever DPSCD

Using Clever DPSCD is a straightforward process. The following steps describe the sign in and access process:

·    Visit the DPSCD Website: Navigate to the Detroit Public Schools Community District page or use the hood link Clever.com.

·   Enter Username and Password: Log in using the username and password assigned by the district from the student’s school.

·     See Your Dashboard: Upon successfully logging in, the user will see their own dashboard that displays the application tiles of what they access and need in a digital tile format for easy access.

·   Access Learning Tools: The user can access any tiles that represent educational applications. (Example: i-Ready to assess Skills or Microsoft Teams to join a class).

If students use a Chromebook or any devices, it is best to access Clever DPSCD from Google Chrome which is a free download of the web-based portal that is designed to be fully compatible with Clever.

Encouraging Continuous Learning & Equity

Clever DPSCD plays a vital role supporting continuous learning, in and out of the traditional classroom. This is especially important during remote learning and hybrid learning phases, because Clever allows students to access lessons and digital learning tools on-demand anywhere they have internet data.

In addition, district initiatives further explore how to close the digital divide, partnering with organizations to provide devices and internet access to students and families, ensuring every Detroit student has access to digitize their learning on Clever.

Real-World Impact for Detroit Students

Clever DPSCD is an equity tool for Detroit, that levels the educational playing field, equitable access to quality learning tools. Reduces barriers for access, that exist because there is a fragmented digital platform in all learning experiences, and how burdensome that is especially through the lens of the of the underserved community.

Educators appreciate the platform's engagement and streamlined administrative tasks as a result of Clever's flexible centralized management and streamlined functionality. Students have an individualized learning experience since they are accessing resources customized to their individual needs and differences.

Responding to challenges and continuing improvements:

Clever DPSCD has been, and still is, relatively successful, however, we are constantly navigating a changing digital landscape that will allow continued improvement for usability, accessibility and functionality. User perspectives from students, educators and families will guide improvements related to accessibility and usability of the platform.

Additional technical support resources (i.e. help desk, student tutorials, user guides, etc.) are another optional tool to help foster user needs related to accessing and/or using Clever.

Future Directions for Clever DPSCD

As we look forward, DPSCD, will continue to build on Clever’s platform through integrating emerging educational technologies, innovation (for example, AI-driven adaptive learning platforms); as well as improve data analytics to look at student performance.

DPSCD will also prioritize additional culturally responsive content and support for multiple languages. Educational needs will continue to change; however, Clever DPSCD will continue to be the focal point of DPSCD’s commitment to a digitally rich, equitable educational system.

Conclusion

Clever DPSCD is a significant step in modernizing access and democratizing digital learning in the Detroit Public Schools. By providing one hub to access multiple learning apps, streamlining the login process, simplifying personalized learning applications, and focusing on family engagement in the learning process, Clever has the potential to improve student outcomes, enhance educator practices and cultivate family engagement.

For Detroit students, Clever is more than a platform; it is an access point to opportunities that allow students to seamlessly use the applications and resources that, in turn, facilitate their success in school. As DPSCD innovates and becomes more efficient, once again, Clever will remain at the forefront of supporting Detroit learners in developing their future-ready skill sets.