LOFTI is a statewide professional development project focused on building the knowledge, skills, and abilities of educators essential for teaching and learning in a changing technological world. LOFTI activities reach across all levels of the educational community-from individual classrooms to state entities.

The DIAL Consortium is one of the 16 learning organizations involved in the LOFTI project throughout the state of South Dakota. There are twenty-six school districts in the DIAL consortium involved in LOFTI activities. The consortium has created some positive relationships that have led to the emergence of new ways of collaborating, communicating and conducting professional development.

LOFTI stands for Learning Organizations for Technology Integration. LOFTI is a $10 million federal technology challenge grant administered through the Department of Education. The TIE Office, Technology Innovations in Education, administers the grant for the state of South Dakota. Dr. James Parry, jparry@tie.net serves as the project director and Joe Hauge, jhauge@tie.net serves as the project manager.