Laura Ascione, Author at eSchool News

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Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland's prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism.

5 AI tools for classroom creativity

April 17, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Students can strengthen creativity skills and self-expression through engaging, AI-powered platforms in various subjects.

When it comes to visual creativity, AI tools let students design posters, presentations, and digital artwork effortlessly. Students can turn their ideas into professional-quality visuals, sparking creativity and…

STEM & STEAM Trends

Strategies to help girls stay engaged in STEM learning

April 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Role models, mentorship, and resources help bridge the gender gap and ensure that girls have opportunities to succeed in STEM learning fields.

Ensuring that girls feel supported and empowered in STEM from an early age can lead to more balanced workplaces, economic growth, and groundbreaking discoveries.

COVID in Schools

Educators reflect on post-COVID learning

April 9, 2025 by Laura Ascione

COVID left its mark on education--and educators say some impacts were good, others were bad, and still others remain frustrating.

The COVID-19 pandemic left an indelible mark on K-12 education, placing immense pressure on teachers as they adapted, literally overnight, to new methods of instruction.

Profiles in Innovation

With AI coaching, a math platform helps students tackle tough concepts

April 15, 2025April 2, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Math is a fundamental part of K-12 education, but students often face significant challenges in mastering increasingly challenging math concepts.

AI in Education

Report details uneven AI use among teachers, principals

March 28, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Teachers most commonly reported using AI to generate lesson materials, assess students, and differentiate instruction.

English/language arts and science teachers were almost twice as likely to say they use AI tools compared to math teachers or elementary teachers of all subjects, according to…

Profiles in Innovation

Fighting chronic absenteeism with data-driven insights–and a little fun, too

April 15, 2025March 26, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Chronic absenteeism remains a widespread challenge in schools across the country, but in Wisconsin, Racine Unified School District’s Julian Thomas Elementary and Jerstad-Agerholm Middle School are demonstrating that…

CoSN Corner

CoSN 2025: Humans in an AI world

March 21, 2025 by Laura Ascione

IT leaders, superintendents, and district teams are gathering in Seattle to explore the latest in innovative edtech and IT at CoSN 2025.

Like it or not, AI is evolving, and it is cementing its place in education. And the CoSN 2025 Conference is preparing attendees to meet the AI challenge…

K-12 Cybersecurity

K-12 cyberattacks threaten data–and students

March 20, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Through proactive cybersecurity strategies and collaboration, K-12 schools can improve cyber defenses against evolving cyberattacks.

The long-term impacts of K-12 cyberattacks, including lost learning time and disruptions to school operations, are just as damaging as stolen data, according to a new report from…

SEL Trends

7 sites to boost SEL in the classroom

March 21, 2025March 19, 2025 by Laura Ascione

SEL skills are critical for students in the classroom, and they also help students navigate different situations and challenges in the future.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a crucial component of education, helping students develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills. SEL is essential for students of all ages, improving academic…

AI in Education

5 practical ways to integrate AI into high school science

March 18, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Thoughtful AI integration can help educators boost engagement and improve learning outcomes in the science classroom.

STEM learning is critical for all students, regardless of their postsecondary path, but by high school, engagement often drops and students lose interest in critical subject matters.

Digital Learning Tools

Post-pandemic, a new era of teaching and learning

March 17, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Schools are embracing innovation and AI for teaching & learning to meet students' needs in equitable and accessible ways after the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on K-12 education, reshaping how students learn and educators teach. As schools closed their doors, remote learning became the primary mode…

STEM & STEAM Trends

What’s the state of STEM?

March 12, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s AI projects are outpacing education’s ability to keep up with necessary AI and STEM training.

AI is becoming increasingly critical in STEM education, and 96 percent of teachers say they believe AI will become an intrinsic part of education within the next decade,…

Education Policy & Funding

Linda McMahon is confirmed as education secretary–DOGE and a department overhaul await her

March 12, 2025March 5, 2025 by Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat

Linda McMahon described a final mission for the Department of Education that would profoundly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations.

Linda McMahon was confirmed March 3 as education secretary to lead a department that President Donald Trump has said he wants to dismantle.

Digital Innovation

CoSN outlines trends, challenges in K-12 innovation

February 26, 2025 by Laura Ascione

It's time for leaders to reflect, collaborate, and take steps in K-12 innovation to create learning environments where all students thrive.

A new annual report from CoSN outlines the challenges, mega-trends, and tools set to impact education innovation in 2025--and for the first time, the report also highlights key…

Innovation in Education

Navigating Special Education with Open Communication

February 20, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Expert IEP founder Antoinette Banks outlines how special education has been chronically underfunded for decades—and how the potential dismantling of the Department of Education adds new complications.

STEM & STEAM Trends

12 lesser-known K-12 STEM education resources

February 18, 2025 by Laura Ascione

STEM education is shaping the workforce and is equipping students with the tools to question, innovate, and lead in a rapidly-changing world.

As society becomes increasingly driven by and focused on innovation, the demand for critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity has grown significantly. Introducing STEM education at an early age…

STEM & STEAM Trends

Reaching peak engagement in K-12 science education

February 14, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Hands-on engagement and exploration in science classes builds students' curiosity, unlocks new possibilities, and sparks innovative solutions

More than half of science teachers believe the most important value of science education is how it contributes to students’ curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity, according to a…

Edtech Trends

TCEA 2025 spotlights innovation, collaboration

February 11, 2025February 11, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Session presenters and speakers shared a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience with their fellow educators at TCEA 2025.

During the first week of February, TCEA 2025 served as a collaboration center for teachers, administrators, IT leaders, and all educators as they shared ideas, instructional strategies, leadership…

Durable Skills

This district champions media literacy to combat “brain rot”

February 10, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Teaching critical thinking skills helps to ensure students are active and engaged--and that they aren't falling victim to brain rot.

It’s critical that students know how to use digital content, but as students have more access to information, it’s also critical that they know how to evaluate that…

Edtech Trends

Collaborate and celebrate at TCEA 2025

February 7, 2025January 29, 2025 by Laura Ascione

At TCEA 2025, embark on a learning journey with your fellow educators and find inspiration with keynote speakers, sessions, and more.

Educators, IT leaders, tech professionals, and everyone in between will find inspiration and connection at the 2025 TCEA Convention & Exposition in Austin, Texas.

Live @ FETC 2025

Show Floor News–From flexible devices to AI-assisted learning

January 24, 2025January 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Lenovo announced new hardware solutions that makes it easy for students and teachers to connect, collaborate, and engage from anywhere. The ... Read more

Live @ FETC 2025

Show Floor News–Tried and true edtech solutions

January 24, 2025January 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Leading the way for LG at this year’s FETC is LG’s new Google-compatible CreateBoard Pro TR3PN Series of interactive digital ... Read more

Live @ FETC 2025

Show Floor News–Supporting Teachers with AI

January 17, 2025January 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

AI can’t replace teachers, but it can support them. Merlyn, a voice-controlled AI classroom assistant from Merlyn Mind, is designed ... Read more

Live @ FETC 2025

The State of STEM

January 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Once again, Pitsco Education has come to FETC with cutting-edge content that includes preK-12 core science, CTE, and hands-on STEM ... Read more

Live @ FETC 2025

Breaking Classroom Barriers with Advanced AV

January 17, 2025January 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

The Forney Independent School District sought to break away from traditional classroom setups, aiming to enhance teacher mobility and foster ... Read more

Live @ FETC 2025

How to Keep Edtech Fresh

January 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

eSchool News scored a backstage tour of the latest Chromebooks, workstations, and peripherals offered by CTL, and was able to ... Read more

AI in Education

Best practices for an AI-infused classroom

January 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Instead of avoiding AI, embrace it with best practices for more impactful teaching and ensure teachers and students have AI literacy.

Avoiding or banning AI in the classroom does students a disservice, and if teachers aren’t familiar with AI tools and how to use them, who is really in…

Teaching Trends

6 educator predictions about teaching and learning in 2025

January 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Teaching and learning trends include fostering essential skills like critical thinking and adaptability to prepare students for the future.

With 2025 barely in its infancy, educators are looking to new technologies and strategies to meet the needs of students. AI, digital learning tools, and personalized supports have…

Live @ FETC 2025

Show Floor News–Robotics Curriculum for Grades 3-5

January 17, 2025January 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

KinderLab Robotics, creator of the award-winning KIBO robot, is expanding its curriculum offerings to serve students in grades 3–5 with Exploring with ... Read more

Live @ FETC 2025

Show Floor News–LEGO Education’s Science Solution

January 17, 2025January 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

LEGO® Education‘s new LEGO® Education Science is intended to help educators bring hands-on science learning to more students. Designed to boost engagement, LEGO ... Read more

Live @ FETC 2025

Show Floor News–Avantis Education Debuts Eduverse+ Content Library for ClassVR

January 21, 2025January 14, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Avantis Education is showcasing its latest innovation, Eduverse+, during FETC at the ClassVR booth #1177. Eduverse+ is designed to enhance Avantis’ award-winning ... Read more

AI in Education

Navigation and guidance in the age of AI: 5 trends to watch

January 14, 2025 by Laura Ascione

In terms of navigation and guidance, how will students access support and information in the age of AI--will human connection grow or shrink?

With the right tools and market conditions, AI could enable more schools to offer high-end, high-touch supports to students, assert Julia Freeland Fisher and Anna Arsenault of the…

College and Career Readiness

3 ways to create a strong district CTE program

January 8, 2025 by Laura Ascione

A new report provides actionable steps for creating successful career-centered CTE programs in school districts.

Career and technical education is a crucial piece of worldwide economic success, particularly with talent shortfalls forecasted in numerous industries--but CTE leaders still face challenges in creating successful…

IT Innovations

8 K-12 IT priorities for 2025

January 8, 2025 by Laura Ascione

K-12 IT teams face the challenge of protecting sensitive student data and ensuring access to learning tools and resources.

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, K-12 IT teams play a critical role in shaping the future of learning. As schools navigate complex cybersecurity and data protection challenges,…

Live @ FETC 2025

FETC 2025: Transformation, innovation, and 5 new sessions

January 8, 2025January 3, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Edtech plays an influential role in today's classrooms, and at FETC 2025, innovative educators are at the forefront of digital transformation.

At the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC), forward-thinking educators and edtech leaders gather to brainstorm strategies and promote innovations that transform and teaching and learning in their…

Classroom Learning

21 priorities for student success and learning in 2025

January 3, 2025 by Laura Ascione

K-12 student success plays a pivotal role in equity, innovation, and the future of the global economy--here's what experts have to say.

Improving student learning and student success is necessary for students to compete in a rapidly changing world that requires critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability.

AI in Education

25 AI predictions for 2025

January 2, 2025 by Laura Ascione

As generative AI tools mature, AI predictions contend that K-12 education will leverage AI in new ways to transform teaching and learning.

As generative AI technologies evolve, educators are moving away from fears about AI-enabled cheating and are embracing the idea that AI can open new doors for teaching and…

Edtech Trends

50 predictions about what 2025 will bring to edtech, innovation, and everything in between

January 2, 2025January 1, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Educators and stakeholders set their sights on the edtech trends that are most likely to influence teaching and learning in 2025

As 2024 moves into 2025, educators greet a new year with uncertainty. Pandemic-related learning loss and academic inequities remain a ... Read more

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

Districts put DEI into action

December 24, 2024 by Laura Ascione

A panel of educators weighs in on the challenges and opportunities that make DEI a critical component of K-12 schools.

DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) is a commonly used acronym, but what does it mean in the context of day-to-day operations in a school district?

Live @ FETC 2025

Good to Know Before You Go

January 8, 2025December 12, 2024 by Laura Ascione

As you prepare for FETC 2025, here are some basics to keep in mind while you plan your conference experience.

The Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) welcomes forward-thinking educators and edtech leaders as they seek to transform and innovate teaching and learning in their classrooms, schools, and…

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