MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Capstone, an innovative learning company merging children’s content with easy-to-use edtech tools for K-5 classrooms, libraries, and homes, has named Haygood Poundstone as Chief Revenue Officer. Poundstone brings over 20 years of experience in the edtech market in business development, revenue growth, sales strategies, and operations management to this newly created role at Capstone. Poundstone will oversee Capstone’s revenue generating sales including direct to schools, library, distribution, trade, and international business units in executing the publisher’s growth strategy.
Throughout his career, Poundstone has led top-tier sales teams to drive organizational revenue, performance, and profit. Most recently, he served as the Area Vice President of the East at Renaissance Learning where he led a large team of regional vice presidents, sales leaders, and direct sales professionals to reach aggressive goals.
After six years away, Poundstone rejoins Capstone where he was one of the founding employees of its business unit myON. Prior to his time at Capstone, Poundstone held a variety of leadership positions at Lightspan and PLATO (now Edmentum).
“We’re thrilled to welcome Haygood back to Capstone. He is a visionary leader with a commitment to leveraging technology and learning resources to enhance the lives of children. His insights and strategic thinking will be invaluable as we continue to expand our reach and impact at Capstone,” said Randi Economou, Capstone CEO. “Beyond his professional accomplishments, Haygood is known for his people focused leadership style. He believes in fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment, where every team member is valued and empowered. His dedication to nurturing talent and cultivating a culture of excellence will propel Capstone forward.”
“Inspiring successful and engaging learning experiences is at the heart of Capstone. That resonates strongly with me and reflects both the value Capstone brings to schools and industry partners as well as the motivation and passion of the entire Sales team. I’m looking forward to leading the effort to expand Capstone’s reach as we share the good news about what Capstone can help educators accomplish and learners can achieve,” said Poundstone.
Poundstone earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at Auburn University at Montgomery where he was an active member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Lambda Chi Alpha.
Poundstone began his new position on November 13 and reports directly to the Capstone CEO.
About Capstone
Capstone is 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. Through print books, interactive eBooks, or the curriculum-connected learning tool PebbleGo, Capstone has a passion for inspiring students to learn and their communities to thrive. As a publisher of content for children, Capstone embraces the responsibility to celebrate and share the diverse voices and perspectives of our readers and communities. Capstone supports great teaching and learning with engaging content that values the work that educators do every day—helping students succeed. CapstonePub.com #LearningIsForEveryone
Chicago, IL – Acceleration Academies, the nation’s leading provider of tech-enabled flexible education, announced today that Kelli Campbell will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer to accelerate growth and broaden impact to school districts and students.
Campbell spent 17 years at Discovery Education, the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12 school districts, and most recently served as President of the company. As a career EdTech executive, she brings a demonstrated history of success leading the sales and marketing, product development and operations functions for pioneering educational technology organizations.
“After thorough succession planning and a comprehensive search process, the board is pleased to have found the best individual to take Acceleration Academies into its next stage of growth and expansion,” said Steve King, co-founder of Daniels & King Ventures, the main funding source for Acceleration Academies. “Kelli has a track record of strong leadership in the EdTech industry, established relationships with K-12 school districts, and success in private equity value creation. We are confident that Kelli is the right leader to accelerate the company’s growth opportunities.”
The change in leadership comes as Acceleration Academies is rapidly expanding its school district partnerships nationwide to provide a flexible, supportive and personalized program for students who are not experiencing success in a traditional high school.
“As our organization has matured and we are serving a record number of students, we are excited to welcome additional leadership expertise to help us reach the next level. We must support our accelerated growth so that we can serve more students and school districts, while maintaining the efficacy and integrity of our model,” states current CEO and co-founder Steve Campbell.
Co-founders Steve Campbell and Dr. Joseph Wise will remain actively involved in the business.
“Acceleration Academies is an extraordinary company that is positively impacting the lives of young adults who struggle in a traditional school setting,” said Kelli Campbell, Acceleration Academies’ incoming CEO. “Throughout my career I have championed equity in education. Acceleration Academies provides the necessary supports to help remove obstacles so that students can not only graduate from high school but be prepared for post-secondary and job success. I am tremendously excited for the opportunity to support the mission and help expand the number of students that we serve.”
About Acceleration Academies
Founded in 2014, Acceleration Academies is a national leader in re-engaging young adults not experiencing success in a traditional high school setting. We partner with school districts across the U.S. to offer dropout recovery and re-engagement services, credit recovery and a flexible, personalized alternative for students (and former students) to earn a customary district issued high school diploma. Our hybrid learning model and Cognia-accredited web-based curriculum allows students to receive in-person support at academy locations and work online anytime from anywhere. Students receive a dedicated social and emotional support system to remove impediments that have caused them to struggle in a traditional setting. Currently, Acceleration Academies has more than 5,000 students enrolled in 19 academies in seven states.
For more news on edtech trends, visit eSN’s Digital Learning page
Digital learning is a critical component of what happens in today’s classrooms. Edtech tools, connected learning experiences, and 21st-century skills all play a role in preparing students for the future.
But digital learning trends and technologies change so quickly that sometimes, it’s difficult to know where to focus or where to invest funding, time, and resources.
Here are 5 must-read stories about digital learning trends and developments to help your school leadership team determine which digital learning resources and edtech tools can best benefit students:
1. Digital learning requires digital research skills: Right now is the perfect time to start a research project with your students, as it will help them develop skills they will use for the rest of their lives. While your students, who have grown up in the Information Age and think they already know everything, any classroom teacher knows that our students need help more than they think. Our students’ belief that everything they need to know is online can, without the right skillset, leave them prey to misinformation. Let’s teach our students to steer through the online ocean of data to be both effective researchers and responsible digital citizens.
2. Digital escape rooms merge creativity with student engagement and skill development: Escape rooms are engaging for people of all ages–they require durable skills such as creativity, critical thinking, determination, and the ability to work in groups to solve challenges. It makes sense that educators would craft their lessons around the concept of an escape room–and that’s just what high school educator Lynn Thomas has done. In this Q&A with eSchool News, Thomas details how she found inspiration to create escape room learning opportunities and the benefits she sees for her students–and she offers a look at a new ChatGPT challenge she’s created.
3. Esports can engage even the youngest of students, and these programs help students develop critical skills no matter what paths they pursue: Scholastic esports is rapidly growing, and many schools are starting to incorporate esports programs into their curriculum. The benefits of esports make a compelling case for creating a program: Research shows that students who participate in scholastic esports experience social and emotional benefits, increased academic achievement, and higher graduation rates. These positive learning outcomes make esports popular in secondary grades, with both students and educators advocating for the addition and growth of scholastic esports in their middle and high schools. But esports isn’t just for the older kids, and starting an esports program in early elementary school can be an effective way to lay the groundwork for esports participation as students make their way into higher grade levels.
4. In an AI-driven world, how can students maintain their own voices? Now, more than ever, students’ future success in an ever-changing world requires that they learn how to think critically and creatively while collaborating with others to solve complex problems. But the unwritten curriculum of most schools—instilling process perfectionism through rewarding flawless performance—is probably doing more harm than good. Against this backdrop, there’s a lurking concern that AI is just going to help students find mindless shortcuts for cheating their way to good grades. But that’s only a risk if schools and teachers hold a low bar for what they expect of their students.
5. Effective digital learning means educators must know how to leverage digital tools correctly: When properly integrated, AI can amplify the work of teachers, shrink equity and accessibility gaps, and provide unrestricted access to information. But for technology to make a meaningful change in K-12 education, we need to address the true source of the problem: broken instructional models. Even though countless technology tools have been introduced into the market, classroom practice looks eerily similar to how it did a hundred years ago. That’s because educators are still equipped with an antiquated model of teaching that isn’t designed to be responsive to students’ learning styles. By leveraging AI and technology to rethink traditional teaching methodologies, we can level-set our classrooms to more effectively empower educators and personalize student learning.
For more news on digital learning tools, visit eSN’s Digital Learning page
In today’s dynamic educational landscape, technology has become an integral part of teaching and learning, but it presents a paradox. While diverse edtech products promise innovation, they simultaneously pose challenges. Educators, learners, instructional technology coaches, and IT/edtech staff are grappling with the complexities of managing an ever-expanding arsenal of disconnected digital tools. It’s important to understand the challenges more closely and how an integrated, interoperable, and effective educational technology ecosystem can meet the evolving landscape of learning for more efficient, impactful, and secure learning experiences.
There are several prominent shifts that are driving the future of learning, therefore making a comprehensive and interoperable ecosystem essential. First is the permanence of a remote and/or hybrid learning structure. Solutions like interactive displays, cloud whiteboarding, screen sharing, and video conferencing tools have helped schools embrace and succeed in this new learning format. Second is the need to create a 21st century learning environment that is accessible for all students, encourages engagement and collaboration, and can be more easily tailored for different learning levels and needs. For example, smart board tools such as text to speech, translation, or word prediction can help students overcome language barriers and unique challenges. For increased engagement and collaboration, teachers are relying on new teaching methods such as microlearning and gamification. Finally, there’s also a drive toward more community and outreach.
All these initiatives have meant an increase in digital tools and apps that must be properly monitored and managed. What’s more, they need to be interoperable and accessible not only on laptops and mobile devices but also on smart boards. According to Lightspeed’s Edtech App Report, which examined the use of edtech in more than 100 school districts during the 2021-2022 school year, there is an astounding number of apps in use. It found that districts surveyed use more than 2,000 apps and that 300 of those account for 99 percent of use. It also found that much of learning time is digital, with 56 percent of students actively engaged in digital learning for more than two hours per day. This highlights that while beneficial, the digital toolbox has become more complex and essential. It emphasizes the importance for a unified and interoperable ecosystem that can blend these diverse elements into a seamless and effective educational experience.
Another challenge is security. With more and more devices being introduced into classrooms, IT administrators will have to consider how to safeguard them in order to prevent possible security risks and data leaks. Outdated firmware and apps may create security loopholes that are vulnerable to attacks and data leaks. Keeping your system up-to-date is one of the best ways to ensure optimal device performance and data security.
In the realm of modern classrooms, one of the most notable advancements is the integration of smart board technology. Over the years, smart boards have evolved significantly from the early days of interactive whiteboards. However, it’s only recently that we’ve witnessed all-in-one solutions that effectively address contemporary trends in education as well as the challenges associated with managing these tools. Their use has become so significant that they actually lie at the heart of the ecosystem topic.
The key to this evolution lies in the operating systems that power smart boards, equipped with pre-installed software such as whiteboarding apps and web browsers. Some providers even offer the flexibility to download additional educational software from app stores, catering to the diverse needs of teachers. Smart boards have proven to be invaluable tools for educators seeking to foster active participation and enhance learning retention among students, especially with those that are compatible with their favorite interactive apps.
By combining a digital whiteboard with a wide array of educational apps, educators now have the capability to conduct entire lessons using just a smart board. This integrated approach allows teachers to seamlessly access digital content from their cloud storage or local drives, or download materials directly from the internet. Even when faced with non-digitized content, teachers have the option to wirelessly share their laptop screens or connect document cameras to the board. This technology represents a significant shift in modern education, offering educators a versatile and adaptable solution to meet the evolving needs of the classroom.
Smart boards play a vital role in meeting the app management and technology security needs of schools. As educational institutions introduce a growing number of devices into their classrooms, safeguarding these assets and protecting student and teacher data becomes a paramount concern. Smart boards rise to this challenge by implementing a range of robust security measures, ensuring a safe and secure educational environment. These measures include compliance with international data privacy standards such as the GDPR and CCPA, offering regular over-the-air (OTA) updates with the latest security patches, and leveraging secure cloud services hosted on trusted servers like Amazon and Google Firebase.
In today’s dynamic educational landscape, technology presents both promises and challenges. Educators, students, and IT professionals grapple with managing an ever-expanding array of disconnected digital tools, underscoring the need for an integrated, interoperable educational technology ecosystem. This ecosystem is vital to meet the evolving landscape of learning efficiently and effectively. Interactive classroom solutions, similar to smart boards, have the potential to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education technology by seamlessly combining digital whiteboards with a wide array of educational apps. Educators can conduct entire lessons through such solutions, accessing digital content, sharing screens, and connecting document cameras effortlessly. Furthermore, data privacy and security are paramount, with a focus on compliance with international data privacy standards, timely security updates, and flexible network security options, including multi-factor authentication, password protection, compartmentalized user accounts, and secure user modes.
In the modern classroom, where technology has become indispensable, these solutions empower educators and institutions to navigate the complexities of the digital age with confidence, creating engaging, secure, and effective learning experiences for students.
À l’occasion du salon Educ@Tech Expo, le Cned a présenté l’avancement du déploiement de son projet PIA Académie Numérique soutenu par le Secrétariat général pour l’innovation (SGPI) dans le cadre du plan d’investissements France 2030.
Lancé en juin 2020 avec un budget de 14,8 millions d’euros, le PIA Académie Numérique a permis au Cned de modéliser et déployer des services innovants pour un accompagnement renforcé de ses apprenants. Cette transformation s’inscrit dans les objectifs de modularité, de différenciation et d’individualisation des parcours éducatifs qui sont au cœur de l’enrichissement des pratiques pédagogiques de l’établissement.
Le PIA Académie Numérique catalyseur d’innovation au Cned
Les fonds accordés par le SGPI ont permis d’accélérer la transformation de l’offre Cned avec les dernières innovations de la EdTech. Sur les neuf innovations testées entre 2021 et 2023, cinq ont d’ores et déjà franchi le cap de la généralisation.
Parmi elles, des initiatives telles que l’application Flash Révisions pour la révision via le micro-learning, l’emploi de l’empreinte mémorielle avec Domoscio, l’auto-entraînement à l’oral avec Interview App, la surveillance des examens à distance, et la dématérialisation des copies avec Docaposte. Ces innovations touchent un large éventail d’élèves, allant du primaire à la terminale, et représentent un pas considérable dans l’amélioration tant du modèle pédagogique du Cned que de l’expérience d’apprentissage proposée à ses apprenants.
En cohérence avec son rôle d’établissement complémentaire, le Cned compte partager les connaissances produites par ces innovations et les développements qui en découlent avec l’ensemble de la communauté éducative.
Une collaboration entre le Cned et les EdTech au service de la maximisation de l’utilité des solutions
Le déploiement du PIA Académie Numérique a été rendu possible grâce à une démarche de coopération entre le Cned et les start-ups de l’EdTech. Cette approche a permis de mettre en synergie l’approche novatrice des start-ups et leur maîtrise des dernières technologies avec la capacité de déploiement massif qui est celle du Cned.
Fort de son expérience et de sa connaissance approfondie des enjeux d’éducation et de formation, le Cned a guidé ces innovations vers des applications pratiques et efficaces, assurant ainsi que chaque avancée technologique s’aligne parfaitement avec les besoins réels des apprenants.
La collaboration avec certaines EdTech a également enrichi le Cned de connaissances cruciales pour ses futurs développements, notamment en matière d’Intelligence Artificielle avec Stellia, de parcours adaptatifs avec EvidenceB et Educlever, et d’apprentissage mobile avec Nomad.
Le Cned va poursuivre sa politique d’innovation en faisant du développement de l’IA sa priorité
Grâce au soutien du Secrétariat général pour l’investissement, le Cned entend continuer à poursuivre le développement du PIA Académie Numérique dans les années à venir en ciblant trois axes principaux de développement que sont :
La conception de parcours adaptatifs asynchrones en cohérence avec les besoins des apprenants, par l’exploitation du potentiel de l’IA et des expériences menées avec les EdTech ;
L’utilisation des données d’apprentissage et le développement de l’IA pour améliorer la qualité de l’accompagnement à distance et offrir des fonctionnalités pédagogiques enrichies ;
La recherche et le développement sur des technologies émergentes comme la réalité virtuelle afin d’élaborer de nouveaux modèles pédagogiques.
Jean-Noël Tronc, directeur général du Cned : « Grâce au soutien financier du Secrétariat général pour l’investissement, le Cned est engagé pour rendre l’éducation et la formation plus accessibles, personnalisées et efficaces. Nous posons les fondations d’un futur où chaque apprenant doit pouvoir maximiser son potentiel, quels que soient son profil cognitif, sa situation géographique ou ses besoins spécifiques. Cette étape représente unprogrès significatif vers un système éducatif prêt à répondre aux défis du monde qui vient. »
Les partenaires innovation du Cned dans le cadre du PIA Académie Numérique :
Dataiku dirigée par Florian Douetteu,
Domoscio dirigée par Benoit Praly,
Educlever dirigée par Michael Hiroux,
EvidenceB dirigée par Thierry de Vulpillières,
InterviewApp dirigée par Julien Dargaisse,
Nomad Education dirigée par Caroline Maîtrot,
Stellia dirigée par Samy Lahbabi,
VR Connection dirigée par Alexandre Ibanez.
Source : Cned, communiqué de presse du 20 novembre 2023.
Washington, D.C. — Today, SETDA is pleased to announce the release of a cybersecurity resource focused on small, rural, and under-resourced districts. Developed by SETDA’s Cybersecurity & Privacy Collaborative—an active professional learning community consisting of state edtech leaders, affiliates, and corporate members—this resource is designed to identify essential resources, assess state-level K-12 cybersecurity advocacy initiatives, and craft policy recommendations to enhance cybersecurity readiness within these districts.
In collaboration with Microsoft and the K12 Security Information eXchange (K12 SIX), this initiative underscores SETDA’s commitment to providing essential tools and guidance to support state educational agencies.
The publication, titled Small Districts, Big Hurdles: Cybersecurity Support for Small, Rural, and Under-resourced Districts, offers details on how state agencies and other support organizations are empowering their smallest districts to secure their data and networks. From detailing various funding sources to providing insights into statewide and regional partnerships and offering practical examples of cybersecurity training, the document is a must-read for everyone involved in helping districts improve their cybersecurity posture. It is the newest addition to SETDA’s Cybersecurity & Privacy Collection, available for access in their OER Commons site.
“As technology continues to reshape education, ensuring the safety and security of students’ data and school networks has never been more crucial. This publication is a testament to SETDA’s dedication to supporting state education agencies’ technology initiatives and equips state edtech leaders with the resources and tools needed to guide districts, especially those facing the greatest challenges,” said Julia Fallon, Executive Director, SETDA. “The Cybersecurity & Privacy Collaborative hopes that this document will help prevent breaches of student and educator data while offering strategies to support and improve cybersecurity readiness for small and rural schools.”
“The human impact of breaches is greater than lost time and money for districts, with potential life-long consequences for young people whose data may be compromised. Microsoft is committed to increasing access to cybersecurity tools to help schools address this challenge. I commend SEDTA for this focus on small, rural, and under-resourced districts ensuring that all students—regardless of location or context—can learn in safe and secure environments,” said Paige Johnson, Vice President Education Marketing, Microsoft.
About SETDA SETDA is the principal association representing U.S. state and territorial educational technology and digital learning leaders. Through a broad array of programs and advocacy, SETDA builds member capacity and engages partners to empower the education community in leveraging technology for learning, teaching, and school operations. For more information, please visit www.setda.org.
Study.com released new survey data last month that sheds light on parents’ evolving attitudes towards the role of schools as students head into the third school year post-pandemic. The education platform surveyed parents in California and Texas to understand their perspectives on their children’s education. Notably, 55 percent and 47 percent of parents in California and Texas, respectively, support extending the school year to provide students with increased learning time, and 46 percent of California parents and 43 percent of Texas parents favor the use of A.I. tools like ChatGPT for academic help in schools.
Across both states, a significant number of respondents believe in a shared responsibility between parents and schools to foster academic growth. Over a third assign a major or complete responsibility to schools in this regard. However, a large percentage of parents in California (28 percent) and Texas (27 percent) feel that schools are taking minimal or no responsibility post-pandemic to help their child catch-up academically. A significant number of parents demonstrated dedication to improving their child’s education through the utilization of district and schoolwide resources as well as support in the home:
37 percent of California parents and 41 percent of Texas parents have sought external educational support, such as tutoring or counseling, for their children.
In California, most parents have sought tutoring or study sessions (26 percent), homework help or after-school programs (23 percent), or educational online platforms (20 percent).
In Texas, most parents have sought tutoring or study sessions (31 percent), homework help or after-school programs (19 percent) educational online platforms (16 percent).
The enduring consequences of academic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic underpin the motivations driving parents to seek additional support tools for their children’s education. In both states, more than a third of parents reported a substantial negative impact on their child’s academic performance due to the pandemic and related social-emotional challenges.
46 percent of California parents and 40 percent of Texas parents say their child faced social-emotional challenges impacting their academics.
65 percent of California parents and 69 percent of Texas parents are very or somewhat concerned about the long-term impact of learning loss on their child’s academic, career, and socioeconomic success.
The third school year post-pandemic emerges as a pivotal moment for parents to incorporate effective learning resources into their children’s academic journeys, such as A.I. or tutoring, to help mitigate the wide-ranging negative effects of the pandemic.
“Despite most parents feeling like they have the resources available to assist their child, the majority of them struggle with specific subjects, especially math,” said Rachel Mead, Director of Tutoring at Study.com. “The start of the school year is an ideal time for parents to implement additional learning supports such as supplemental online resources or the formulation of a structured home learning plan.”
Teachers across Canada say it’s time to embrace new teaching models to better align with the realities, opportunities and challenges of today’s classroom and tomorrow’s workplace. In a new survey from Microsoft of over 500 Canadian teachers and school leaders, most said schools need to do more to adapt to the evolving needs of students. Teachers are calling for changes that make classrooms more engaging, inclusive and relevant for a new digital era.
New models for a new era of digital innovation
From AI to interconnected smart devices, teachers recognize that the rapid pace of technological innovation is changing the workforce students will be joining, but few classrooms are teaching the skills students need to succeed in the new digital world. In fact, ninety percent of teachers surveyed agree it’s important to teach students the digital skills they’ll need for modern life, but only half of teachers (52 percent) say students are taught in ways that are relevant to the skills they need for the future.
Strikingly, the survey revealed an overwhelming majority of teachers (79 percent) felt data literacy and digital citizenship were essential skills for today’s students, but these topics were only taught in 22 and 53 percent of classrooms respectively. While teachers have just begun to consider the implications of AI in education, 41 percent of teachers believe that students should learn about generative AI to better equip them for life outside school and in their careers. That number rose to 50 percent among teachers of grades 7-12.
“It’s crucial that we listen to teachers so we can better empower students in their learning and be prepared to contribute to Canada’s economic future” said Elka Walsh, Associate Vice President, Learning & Teaching, at Microsoft Canada. “We have a responsibility to address these gaps, reignite a love of learning, and help students thrive in a digital world.”
Digital tools more prevalent since the pandemic, but not used effectively
For many teachers, the pandemic spurred the adoption of digitally enhanced learning in the classroom. Eighty-two percent of teachers surveyed said their school’s use of digital tools started or increased with the pandemic. But only 35 percent of respondents said most teachers are equipped with the best digital tools to help them teach and a similar number (34 percent) said teachers receive the training needed to use these tools effectively. Six out of ten respondents said teaching methods should change to make the most of these tools. Among the most promising use cases for teachers, according to the survey, was time management. Eighty percent of teachers agree they need more tools to help them manage their time more productively – an unsurprising stat given that 86 percent of teachers rate their workload as high or very high.
The results also indicated a clear difference in approach to technology in the classroom between those schools with an established sustainable digital strategy and those without. When asked if students were more engaged when digital tools are used in the classroom, three quarters of respondents with a digital strategy agreed. Among teachers in schools without a digital strategy, fewer than half agreed technology helped to increase engagement.
Engagement and inclusion need a boost
It is apparent that teachers are struggling to keep students engaged, particularly when faced with the emotional and wellbeing challenges related to the pandemic. Only half of teachers surveyed (51 percent) said students are taught in ways that engage them and keep their interest and only a third (35 percent) agree schools are succeeding in helping to address students mental and emotional wellbeing.
Today’s teachers know inclusion and accessibility is crucial to help every student reach their potential. Ninety-five percent said inclusive and accessible teaching resources are somewhat or very important. But only 48 percent say current teaching methods are inclusive and only 46 percent feel students are taught in ways that are responsive to their individual needs. Teachers also want schools to do more to address the mental and emotional wellbeing of students (74 percent) and feel students are still emotionally challenged by the disruption of the pandemic (72 percent).
“Canada’s teachers are telling us we need revitalized learning models so their students don’t get left behind” said Marc Seaman, Vice President, Education Segment for Microsoft Canada. “New models are critical to improve outcomes for all students and prepare them for the digital future.”
The objective of this report is to inform and inspire the EdTech community – including educators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors – by synthesizing the views of innovators who are active across a wide range of EdTech segments and educational institutions.
This report aims to provide insights and guidance for EdTech companies seeking to achieve product-market fit in a post-pandemic blended learning environment. It does so through a combination of qualitative interviews with EdTech leaders and quantitative data analysis to address the challenges and opportunities in the EdTech sector.
The report emphasizes the importance of EdTech in nurturing the intellect and character of future generations and highlights the significant impact it can have when it succeeds in its mission. Achieving product-market fit in EdTech is not just about creating a successful app or platform; it’s about equipping learners with the tools they need to thrive, understand the world critically, and face life’s challenges with resilience.
By providing a holistic understanding of EdTech’s transformative potential and the dynamics of the sector during the pandemic, the report aims to help EdTech companies make informed decisions and execute thoughtful strategies. It underlines the need for strategic planning and execution to ensure that EdTech products are aligned with the needs of learners and educators.
EdTech innovators must also navigate various challenges, including diverse educational needs, institutional norms, and cultural considerations. The education sector operates differently from the tech world, leading to potential tensions among stakeholders. Aligning timing and planning is essential to ensure that EdTech products meet the evolving needs of both learners and the broader community.
Practicality often trumps high-end features in the EdTech industry, as schools seek tools to address everyday challenges like grading and classroom management. As classroom sizes increase, there’s a growing demand for solutions that can manage larger groups and ease teacher workloads. The focus is on technologies that integrate seamlessly into education to enhance the learning process.
The shift to online and blended learning models, accelerated by the pandemic, is likely to continue. Institutions see these models as opportunities to reduce costs, increase enrollment, and provide flexibility to students. However, maintaining the quality of education and socio-emotional skill development remains crucial.
Accessibility, flexibility, and inclusivity are key considerations in EdTech. Accommodating diverse learning styles, facilitating asynchronous learning, and ensuring equitable access to tools are priorities. Personalizing education to individual student needs is a prominent trend.
Collaboration with educational institutions and the public sector is often essential for EdTech growth. Navigating bureaucratic procedures and bridging gaps can lead to successful partnerships.
EdTech should enhance the learning experience rather than replace it. While technology can amplify effective teaching, it cannot compensate for poor teaching. The human element, including social connections and mental well-being, remains vital in education.
Balancing analog and digital content is an ongoing conversation, but the pandemic emphasized digital access as a fundamental right. A surge in funding has led to the launch or expansion of many new platforms and tools, requiring those in the EdTech industry to assess their position in education budgets.
Preparing for profound changes in the EdTech ecosystem is crucial. Supporting educators, upskilling deployment teams, and ensuring organizations have the resources to sustain digital progress are integral to future growth. Additionally, the potential of AI to drive alternative assessment methods could reshape educational practices and outcomes.
This report will provide answers to the following questions:
How can EdTech providers best achieve product-market fit?
What are popular views on blended learning environments?
How has the pandemic impacted the reputation and viability of EdTech?
Which areas of EdTech are being overlooked?
What are the benefits and risks of gamification and other digital trends?
What strategies and trends signify potential growth trajectories for EdTech?
What’s better than watching a lively and substantive conversation thread develop on LinkedIn as a result of your recent posting on the hottest topic in edtech today? Getting the participants to follow up with a real live conversation of their own. So it was that I was able to snag a Zoom session with Jerry Crisci, founding co-director of the Center for Innovation for the Scarsdale Public Schools in Scarsdale, NY; Mark Loundy, instructional technology specialist for the Cupertino Union School District, CA; and Gary Stager, a pioneer in 1:1 computing, online learning, and computer science for all students, to weigh in on their perspectives.
In an inspired and somewhat provocative go around, we touch on topics including AI’s influence on the education sector, concerns about cheating, the need for educational reform, and the potential for AI to enhance learning. Give it a listen and maybe chime in yourself! To read more about Gary Stger’s work regarding AI click here; for Jerry Crisci, click here; and for Mark Loundy, click here.
.Three Key Takeaways:
AI in Education and Ethical Concerns: The panelists highlight the emergence of generative AI and its potential to transform education. However, ethical concerns are raised, particularly regarding the use of AI to detect cheating and plagiarism. The speakers argue that the focus should shift from using technology for enforcement to enhancing the quality of education itself.
Rethinking Education: All three advocate for a fundamental reevaluation of education, emphasizing the need to revise teaching methods and assessments. They stress the importance of preparing students for a future where AI can assist with procedural tasks, such as writing and calculations. This shift involves teaching students how to be effective learners and thinkers, rather than memorizing content.
AI as a Tool for Learning: AI is recognized as a powerful tool for expanding students’ horizons, allowing them to explore topics in depth. The conversation also suggests that AI can help students build systems and understand how AI operates, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Their emphasis is on enabling students to use AI as a resource to better understand the world.
When did October become awards season in the world of edtech? This week’s newsfeeds are stuffed with announcements for finalists and honorees for both educators and vendors on the best and brightest developments for teaching and learning.
The winners:
Of course, we need to start with the most prestigious! The eSchool News Hero Awards, honors educators for their exemplary use of innovative edtech to support student learning:
John Arthur, 6th grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah
Dr. Jesus Jara, superintendent of Clark County School District (CCSD) in Nevada
Tom Lamont, painting and design technology instructor at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT) in Massachusetts
Winners were chosen for their commitment to education despite obstacles–including achievement gaps, teacher burnout, and funding–and their creativity and innovation in helping all students continue learning while ensuring students felt safe, empowered, and engaged.
Nominations were judged by a panel of education experts, including Laura Ascione, eSchool News editorial director, and Eileen Belastock, CETL, Belastock Consulting. I look forward to interviewing them in the coming days for the podcast. Here’s one of my favorites from years past.
The Institute for Education Innovation, a national school superintendent think tank that serves as the bridge between district leaders and the K-12 industry to develop solutions to the greatest challenges in education, also this week announced the finalists for the third annual Supes’ Choice Awards. The Supes’ Choice Awards honor the most innovative education products and solutions, and are the only education industry awards judged exclusively by school district superintendents.
“Now in its third year, the Supes’ Choice Awards have become known in the education industry as one of the top honors recognizing forward-thinking edtech companies,” said Doug Roberts, founder and CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation (IEI). “Judged by the country’s most innovative superintendents, the awards provide edtech company founders and CEOs with valuable insights to help them create more meaningful and impactful learning experiences for students. In fact, students and teachers alike benefit the most when edtech companies partner with administrators on the front lines of K-12 education to perfect their products and solutions.”
Finalists for the Supes’ Choice Awards are chosen based on a demonstrated commitment to student outcomes, innovation and ingenuity, client support, interactivity, and engagement. The finalists for each category include:
Literacy Instructional Solution: NoRedInk, Phonics, Reading, and Me, Read Naturally
Math Instructional Solution: TouchMath, Magma Math
Most Innovative PD Solution: Lexia LETRS, Lexia Aspire Professional Learning and thinkLaw
Operations/Finance/HR Solution: Operoo, Upbeat and iiQ Facilities
SEL Solution of the Year: Sown to Grow, Care Solace
STEM/STEAM Instructional Solution: Kide Science, ExploreLearning Gizmos
Virtual Instructional Experience: Proximity Learning, Tutored by Teachers
Winners will be revealed at the 2023 Supes’ Choice Awards Gala taking place on Friday, December 8 in New York City. The Gala is a celebration honoring the finalists and winners that includes dinner, an awards ceremony, and live entertainment.
ClassLink celebrated the exceptional achievements of individuals and teams during the closing session of their annual ClassLink Learning Analytics Summit, CLAS 2023, on October 5th.
THE CLAS Awards of Excellence celebrate the innovative ways individuals and teams use data to better serve their district’s learners, recognizing the educational impacts of institutions, leaders, and experts.
Data Storyteller Award
Winner: Connie Chin (Bibb County School District, GA)
This award recognizes an individual who expertly uses data analysis to inform strategy and drive teaching and learning in their organization.
Data Bridge Builders Award
Winner: Tonja Brun & Team (Savannah Chatham Public Schools, GA)
This award recognizes an organization that excels at collaborating and building toward a data-driven culture to improve teaching and learning.
Data Security Champions Award
Winner: Keith Price & Team (Vestavia Hills Schools, AL)
This award recognizes an organization using analytics/security insights to inform their data security strategy implementation.
“We established the CLAS Awards of Excellence as a tribute to the remarkable individuals and teams leading the charge in advancing digital learning through innovative data utilization. All of us at ClassLink are deeply honored to witness the inventive applications of our Analytics tools by the showcased winners. Their efforts inspire us all!”
Suite aux propos récents du Ministre de l’Éducation Nationale Gabriel Attal sur son intention de « réparer l’école », François Billioud, cofondateur de la start-up Cantoo, souhaite remettre au cœur du sujet la nécessité de bâtir une véritable politique d’inclusion basée sur la singularité des élèves, en engageant les bases d’une 3ème voie : laissons chaque individu être qui il est. Pour cela, il a pris l’image des élèves gauchers obligés à l’époque de s’adapter et d’apprendre à écrire avec la main droite pour exprimer sa pensée.
Tribunepar François Billioud, co-fondateur de l’ESS Cantoo
Depuis 13 ans que je travaille sur le sujet de l’inclusion scolaire, je reste stupéfait par certains témoignages qui me sont remontés. Récemment, on m’a relaté le cas d’un lycéen dyspraxique qui, pleurant de douleur à cause de tensions musculaires dans le bras après avoir planché quatre heures, s’est fait houspiller par l’enseignant de surveillance arguant un signe de faiblesse de sa part. Et ne parlons pas des orientations scolaires approximatives alors que certains élèves ont des capacités exceptionnelles mais que leur handicap empêche de révéler.
L’école inclusive n’intègre pas encore suffisamment les handicaps dits “invisibles”, comme le sont les troubles dys.
Comprendre la singularité de chaque élève
En France, les syndromes dys, telles que la dyslexie (trouble du langage écrit), la dyspraxie (perturbation de la capacité à effectuer certains gestes), et la dysorthographie (trouble de l’orthographe), touchent entre 6 et 8 % de la population française, soit 2 à 3 élèves par classe. Ces troubles sont plus courants qu’ils n’y paraissent, mais s’agissant d’un handicap invisible, ils restent largement méconnus et sources d’incompréhension dans les classes. Or, les méthodes pédagogiques standard ne prennent pas en compte les besoins particuliers de ces élèves, les laissant en difficulté pour suivre le rythme et acquérir des compétences clés. L’inclusion de ces jeunes ne doit pas être reléguée au 2nd plan, car ce sont des troubles qu’ils subiront toutes leurs vies, mais qu’il est possible d’atténuer grâce à une prise en charge et des outils de compensation.
Gabriel Attal a déclaré récemment que “c’est à [l’école] de s’adapter à chaque élève, et non l’inverse”. Il ne faut pas pour autant faire porter sur les professeurs l’entièreté de cette charge, en leur demandant, en une heure de cours, d’adapter leur enseignement à chacun de leurs 25, 30, 40 élèves. Nous croyons en une troisième voie : laissons chaque individu être qui il est, pour déployer des technologies et des méthodologies qui favorisent une meilleure compréhension, un meilleur échange, et un apprentissage optimisé, en valorisant les singularités. Il n’est pas possible de mettre un Accompagnant des Élèves en Situation de Handicap (AESH) derrière chaque enfant, mais cela ne doit pas signifier pour autant l’inaction. Surtout qu’aujourd’hui, nous avons largement les connaissances nécessaires pour compenser efficacement de nombreux troubles et handicaps.
Dans cette optique, réinventer l’école ne signifie pas uniquement « réparer » l’existant, mais concevoir un environnement éducatif qui embrasse la diversité des besoins et des talents, en utilisant les connaissances et technologies modernes comme levier pour bâtir une éducation véritablement inclusive et adaptative.
Les outils numériques de compensation peuvent se révéler être un allié précieux pour faciliter l’apprentissage
En améliorant les conditions des élèves au sein de la société, et en offrant des outils adaptatifs et personnalisables, comme par exemple l’aide à la lecture et à l’écriture, la conversion de l’écrit à l’oral… les outils digitaux ont la capacité d’accompagner le travail des enseignants, et aussi de favoriser l’autonomie des élèves en automatisant certaines tâches. C’est par ailleurs un soutien qui peut être apporté aux AESH, qui, faute de moyens, peinent à exercer l’entièreté de leurs missions. Et quand il n’y a pas d’AESH, le numérique peut apporter une présence sur le long terme pour les élèves en difficulté.
Le sujet du harcèlement scolaire pris à bras le corps par le gouvernement nous a appris l’importance d’enseigner la compassion à l’école. Œuvrer pour une école plus à l’écoute des élèves à besoins éducatifs particuliers en devrait être la première leçon.
Login
