Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

What keeps edtech leaders up at night?

How is your district to-do list looking? If the results from today’s release of the 2023 State Ed Tech Trends Report are any indication, it’s long and complicated. I had the chance for a sneak peek and some background insight with Julia Fallon, Executive Director of SETDA (The State Educational Technology Directors Association), to discuss key findings of the survey data. Click through for a listen and scroll down for some highlights and takeaways.

Among the key findings in the report and survey:

  • Cybersecurity Tops the List: The report underscores that “cybersecurity” is now the paramount concern in K-12 education–an increase in priority since 2022. However, a staggering 42% of respondents reported inadequate funding and support for cybersecurity needs, signaling a critical gap. 
  • Federal and State AI Policy Lags: While 55% of respondents observed an increased interest in AI policy development, only 2% reported having active AI initiatives in their states. The report highlights the urgent need for comprehensive AI strategies at the federal and state level.
  • Home Access Demands Attention: “Home access connectivity” jumped to the top of the list of top unmet technology needs across the country, with nearly one-third of respondents listing it as their primary concern. This emphasizes the digital divide’s persistent impact on education.
  • On-going Focus on EdTech Effectiveness: The number of states collecting data on the effectiveness of their edtech tools also increased according to respondents, and using edtech effectively to support instruction remains a top priority for state leaders. 

Some more highlights:…Read More

The intersection of the science of reading and edtech

Key points:

While this fall marks my 38th year in education, it has been 28 years since I was a classroom teacher. Teaching elementary school was the hardest job I ever had, but there are many parts of the role I miss. This time of year, I especially miss the opportunity to teach young learners to read and write. As any elementary educator will tell you, seeing a child’s eyes light up as they grow into individuals capable of expressing themselves and exploring their own interests through the written word is one of the greatest joys in life.

The fulfillment I find in helping elementary school students develop their literacy skills has driven my interest in the science of reading. As the single most-discussed topic in education at this moment, the science of reading has been a focus of intense interest in state legislatures nationwide. Specifically, as of July 2023, about 30 states have passed legislation or created new policies focused on teaching reading.…Read More

4 ways edtech tools drive student engagement and build classroom culture

Key points:

As a teacher, I constantly wondered how to get students more engaged in my lessons. As an administrator, this question was the guiding force of my coaching.  Student engagement can be tough to define and difficult to systematize, but for anyone who’s walked into a highly engaged classroom, it’s immediately apparent. 

In my experience, it’s almost a direct path from increased student engagement to stronger learning outcomes. The two combined can often mean improved classroom culture, and in turn, higher teacher retention and other major benefits. There are four key ways that edtech tools can increase student engagement, and when done correctly, be a catalyst for building a culture of learning.…Read More

5 edtech tools to save time this year

Key points:

Back-to-school and the first weeks of the new year are definitely busy for teachers as they are diligently preparing lesson plans and getting to know their students–all while building a sense of community in their classrooms. Teachers must meet the challenge of creating engaging instructional resources to support personalized learning, develop lessons to spark student curiosity, and facilitate opportunities for collaboration.

As an educator for more than 26 years, I understand the importance of leveraging technology to “work smarter, not harder” when planning and implementing lessons. As a digital learning specialist, I support instructional technology implementation in my district as well as provide training for teachers on edtech tools. …Read More

Engage younger students with tech the right way

When it comes to building literacy skills, students are never too young to start—as long as it is implemented in a thoughtful way. That’s the perspective of John Costilla, Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer at Capstone, the nation’s leading educational publisher of K-5 digital solutions, children’s books, and literacy programs for school libraries, classrooms, and at-home reading. 

In this recent conversation with eSchool News, John touches on integrating technology into primary classrooms, highlighting the need for a scaffolded approach, where EdTech complements traditional teaching methods. He mentions, (what else?), innovations like AI, and emphasizes the importance of metadata, transparency, and standards alignment in content development and search capabilities. Just as important, he touches on the intangible significance of providing joy and fun in teaching and the importance of building strong connections and relationships in education. Click below for a listen and scroll down for some more takeaways.

  • Focus on K5 Education: John emphasizes the importance of focusing on the K5 (Kindergarten to 5th grade) sector in education. He mentions the challenges students face in these grades, especially in the context of the pandemic, with some students missing significant amounts of schooling
  • Importance of Literacy: John stresses the significance of literacy in K5 education. He highlights the need for explicit instruction, phonics, decoding, and a focus on vocabulary development within the context of students’ interests, whether related to EdTech, science, social studies, or other subjects.
  • Diversity and Representation: John discusses the importance of diversity and representation in educational content. He mentions the need for students to see themselves in the materials they use and learn from, citing examples of books featuring diverse characters and cultures.
  • Balanced Approach to EdTech: John advocates for a balanced approach to technology in early education. He acknowledges the role of EdTech in providing innovative learning experiences but emphasizes the importance of a balance between technology and non-technology-based teaching methods.
  • Role of AI and Metadata: John discusses the role of AI, including ChatGPT, in educational content. He mentions the use of AI for tagging, metadata, and content creation, as well as its potential for enhancing the transparency of educational materials for districts and educators.
…Read More

Fostering connections and edtech strategies between education leaders

Key points:

  • Education leaders face uncharted challenges ensuring that teachers who stay feel supported and connected
  • Leaders are consistently ensuring that policies, technology, and teaching practices prioritize equity and cultural responsiveness
  • See related article: 4 best practices to support and retain school leaders

If there is one thing I have seen consistently over many years of working with education leaders around the world, it is that they don’t often get enough opportunities to connect and learn from one another. The heart of education is community, and peer-to-peer learning and conversation are foundational to that. 

This year, as part of ISTE in Philadelphia, a roundtable event hosted by Visual Sound brought together representatives from three districts: the School District of Philadelphia, Prince George’s County Public Schools, and the District of Columbia Public Schools for conversations among education leaders about shared challenges and ideas for solutions. Together, these districts represent more than 300,000 students. They are dedicated to leveraging technology as a key part of teaching and learning, and this roundtable provided the opportunity to share approaches and learn from each other about what works with edtech and what doesn’t.…Read More

How To Beat Teacher Tech Resistance

You would think after almost four years of the forced migration to remote learning and the new ways to connect and teach thanks to edtech, teachers would be ready to accept these tools as an essential part of their work. According to Julianne Ross-Kleinmann, data analysis & technology integration specialist at Ulster BOCES in New York, that’s not necessarily the case. 

In this conversation, Julianne shares her experiences encouraging tech-hesitant teachers to embrace technology that improves teaching and learning. We touch upon a number of topics including the challenges of technology adoption, the role of trust in educational technology, the TPACK framework (Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge), and the need to tailor approaches to individual teachers’ comfort levels. 

Julianne emphasizes that despite progress, resistance to technology still exists, and she shares her strategies for building trust and advocating for equitable technology access. …Read More

Driving equitable learning with thoughtful software implementation

Key points:

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront the stark reality of inequities in our education system. As schools shifted to remote learning, a digital divide emerged, leaving countless students on the wrong side of the equation. The unequal access to technology and the internet has widened the gap, hindering the academic progress of many young minds. However, in the face of this challenge, lies an opportunity to foster equitable learning through thoughtful implementation of software solutions. 

Before the pandemic, the digital divide was already a concern, with disadvantaged students lacking access to essential learning resources. However, as classrooms transitioned online, the divide became larger and larger, exposing the vulnerability of marginalized communities. As a former educator, I have witnessed this divide and know firsthand how limited access to devices, high-speed internet, and adequate tech support create barriers to learning, perpetuating a cycle of disadvantage and hindering students’ potential. …Read More

Movers and Shakers—New Edtech District Leaders Take Position

Phil Hintz has been approved by the D219 Board of Education as the next Chief Technology Officer for the 2023-2024 school year.

Phil has led the charge for his district to develop and implement Student Data Privacy systems in the State of Illinois and recently presented at ISTELive22 on these protocols and processes. Previously, Phil was the Director of Technology for Gurnee SD 56 in Gurnee, Illinois where he had served for 14 years. Phil has also presented workshops for the Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC), LearnFest ATX (formally known as iPadpalooza) festival in Austin, Texas, and at the CUE Conference in California. 

Round Rock ISD (TX) selected Donnie Bruton, Jr. as chief technology officer this month.Bruton has over 23 years of experience supporting technology endpoint devices and infrastructure systems in state, higher education, and K-12 public school environments. He has been Round Rock ISD’s director of technology infrastructure since 2021. And previously, Bruton served in technology leader roles for Georgetown and Pflugerville Independent School Districts. Bruton is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in chemistry with computer science and engineering coursework. …Read More

Arkansas’ LISA Academy Renews Partnership with Global Edtech Leader Supporting Student Success

Charlotte, NC — Arkansas’  LISA Academy public charter school district today announced the renewal of its partnership with worldwide edtech leader  Discovery Education. Thanks to this continued collaboration, students across the LISA Academy district will continue using Discovery Education’s engaging digital and print services to explore their curiosity about all subjects. Discovery Education is the global edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports instruction wherever it takes place. 

Little Scholars of Arkansas (LISA) Academy is a tuition-free public charter school with a comprehensive STEM-focused college preparatory program. Established in 2004, all 11 schools across the state are accredited by the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The district serves over 4,300 students in its mission to provide an academically rigorous college preparatory program that prepares students to succeed in education and in the workplace of their choice. 

LISA Academy’s administration selected Discovery Education’s services because of their ease of use and proven record of quickly engaging students in K-12 subjects. Following their successful debut in LISA Academy classrooms, the charter district renewed the following Discovery Education services for the 2023-2024 school year: …Read More