Templates and Starter Kits

Use this growing set of templates and starter kits to create your own case for educational technology. From press releases to tips on making an elevator speech, templates help jump-start your advocacy in new ways.

NOTE: Where indicated, template and starter kit files are in PDF format (view PDF instructions). Some files are also intended for use with Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint (version 2000 or later) which should be installed on your computer to make the best use of the files.

Templates are presented in PDF format and in original source files for easy customization.

Ed Tech Advocacy Presentation

(MS PowerPoint, 204 KB, 32 seconds)
EDvancenet has created a digital Principal Presentation in Microsoft® PowerPoint® format. The presentation is designed as a visual aid for explaining how success for all students through learning with technology can be achieved. EDvancenet encourages presenters to customize the presentation for their audience. Presenters’ notes are visible in the “Notes Page” view of the presentation. Also, additional slides cataloged in the Library of Slides can be used to customize the Principal Presentation.

How to Create an Effective Elevator Speech

(PDF, 91 KB, 15 seconds)
Imagine finding yourself in a situation where you unexpectedly meet someone who could be very effective in raising support for educational technology. If you have an "elevator speech" prepared in advance, you can make the most of this chance encounter.

How to Make the Case to Busy Stakeholders

(PDF, 128 KB, 20 seconds)
Use these tips and strategies as you make the case for educational technology to busy stakeholders.

Template: Advocacy Stories

(MS Word, 32 KB, 5 seconds)
Compelling stories from the field can help you make your case for educational technology. Use this template as a guide for writing your own effective story for advocacy.

Template: Letter to the Editor

(MS Word, 25 KB, 5 seconds)
Use this template as a guide as you write a letter to the editor of a publication.

Template: Policy Brief

(MS Word, 30 KB, 5 seconds)
To make well-informed decisions, policy makers rely on short, tightly written briefs that quickly relate the important facts, questions, and arguments about an issue. Use this template to prepare an effective policy brief that supports your case.

Template: Press Release

(MS Word, 25 KB, 4 seconds)
Use this template to help you write a press release

Template: Talking Points

(MS Word, 25 KB, 4 seconds)
In response to proposed budget cuts in educational technology last year, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) came up with these discussion points for making the case for sustained funding in educational technology to national legislators. You can use this list as a model or starting point to develop other talking points for relaying the importance of educational technology to the broad array of pertinent audiences.

Tips for Writing a Letter to the Editor

(MS Word, 21 KB, 4 seconds)
The "Letters to the Editor" section is one of the most widely read parts of a newspaper. Use these tips to write a letter to the editor that provides information and insight, and inspires readers to take action.

Starter kits are useful collections for specific audiences. Consider who within each audience needs to hear the case for educational technology, and use targeted strategies, nuggets of research data, and talking points to make the case.

Tools for Making the Case to Building Administrators

(PDF, 133 KB, 21 seconds)
Use this starter kit to make the case to district leaders so they can in turn advocate for educational technology with the school board, public, policy makers, the community, and school personnel.

Tools for Making the Case to Corporations

(PDF, 138 KB, 22 seconds)
Use this starter kit to help the corporate community see how their support of educational technology not only assists today’s students but ultimately builds the workforce and citizenry of the future.

Tools for Making the Case to District Administrators

(PDF, 131 KB, 21 seconds)
Use this starter kit to make the case to district leaders so they can in turn advocate for educational technology with the school board, public, policy makers, the community, and school personnel.

Tools for Making the Case to Education Associations

(PDF, 144 KB, 23 seconds)
When their voices are added to the call for education technology, education associations make the message louder, clearer, and stronger. Use this starter kit to enlist support from education associations.

Tools for Making the Case to Policy Makers

(PDF, 182 KB, 29 seconds)
Use this starter kit to make the case to policy makers, influencers who can drive initiatives and secure funding that directly affects educational technology.

Tools for Making the Case to School Boards

(PDF, 134 KB, 21 seconds)
If you can convince a school board to set educational technology as a top priority, administrators, teachers, parents, and the greater community are likely to follow with their support. Use this starter kit to garner school board support for educational technology.

Tools for Making the Case to Teachers

(PDF, 139 KB, 22 seconds)
Teachers are the cornerstone of any education program, and their support for education technology is essential. Use this starter kit to make the case to teacher leaders, new teachers and veteran teachers alike.

Tools for Making the Case to the Community

(PDF, 160 KB, 25 seconds)
From parents, to members of the PTA, to civic groups, to voters, community support for school technology initiatives is essential. Use this starter kit to elist the support of your community.

Do you have ideas for extending our advocacy efforts or improving these Web pages? Please contact ISTE Professional Development Services at profdev@iste.org.