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A Vision of the Future of Higher Education

Every new generation sees changes in the landscape of higher education, but the essential tenets have always remained the same. Students live in dorms or student apartments and go every day to sit in classrooms where they hear lectures from professors. However, many things we used to take for granted about the college experience may be changing. In fact, the higher education of future generations may be unrecognizable to those of us who came of age in the 20th century. Here are some of the changes that seem to be emerging. Adaptive learning We are already witnessing technologies that adapt …

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My Vision for the Future of Education Leadership

Education leadership is changing, and so must our perception of what it is to be a leader. My vision for the future of education leadership places leaders in a dynamic environment in which they will find themselves collaborating with other stakeholders. To be effective, future education leaders must understand how they will impact the lives of the people around them, what role technology will play in learning, and their ability to foster meaningful change. Impact Making an impact and understanding the implications of that impact are two different things. Future leaders in education will do both. Educational leaders consistently impact …

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Why Digitizing Traditional Teaching Isn’t Innovation

Technology has been hailed by many as the answer to every problem in education. Digital technology is supposed to allow students to learn in entirely new ways, bringing new innovations to every classroom. But this isn’t always the case. In fact, many EdTech programs and tools are simply digitizing traditional teaching—and it isn’t innovation. When schools and teachers bring technology into the classroom, they must ask themselves what their goals are. Using technology simply for the sake of checking off a box and saying that your classroom is in the 21st century is a waste of time, money, and resources. …

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What Are the Pros and Cons of EdTech in the Classroom?

No matter how much value edtech adds to your classroom, there will always be skeptics hovering close by. On the flip side, if you’ve never been an edtech supporter, it’s likely there are educators in your district advocating for an online math tutorial or digital textbook. If you’re looking to educate yourself on the widespread edtech debate, we’re breaking down arguments that parents, teachers, students, and policy makers on both sides have contributed to recent conversations about classroom technology. Pros Access to Infinite Information: If a student has a specific question, they’ll find the answer online. If a student watched …

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9 Ways to Tell If a New App Is Ready For Classroom Use

At last count, there were over 80,000 educational apps available to teachers. While many of these may be a dream come true for educators, the dizzying array of choices is also a nightmare. Teachers just don’t have time to filter through thousands of apps to find the one that works best for the needs of their students. To make this process less agonizing, here are the hallmarks of a classroom-ready educational app. It has clear connections to the curriculum. Classroom time is valuable, and can’t be wasted on games and apps that do not clearly align with curriculum goals. These …

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Want to Build an Educational App? Read This First

Teacher-made materials have always been a part of classrooms. That’s because teachers can see better than anyone else what students need to understand a concept, especially if it’s an abstract one. As a result, teachers have made games and developed hands-on activities that support classroom instruction. The use of supplemental aids made from aluminum foil, manila folders, and other inexpensive household items is becoming a thing of the past, thanks to the availability of educational apps. What’s stopping a teacher from building an educational app? Not much. You can build an educational app if you do these things. Know your …

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What Is the Best Time of the Year to Sell to Schools?

Selling your edtech products directly to schools is a big undertaking. If successful, school and district sales can be the breakthrough for your edtech startup. However, top-down sales are time-consuming and take a lot of investment on the front end. It’s important to understand the process of district purchasing to succeed. One major question posed by edtech entrepreneurs is, when is the best time of the year to sell to schools? Unfortunately, this can be a tricky subject with multiple variables. Here are some tips for determining the right time to approach schools about your edtech offering. Spring Fling The …

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A Vision for the Future of Virtual Reality in Education

Virtual Reality (VR) is slowly taking over our entertainment industry. But what are the implications for other areas of our lives, such as business, health, and even…education? While the educational realm generally takes longer than anyone else to embrace new technology, VR brings many implications for the schools of tomorrow. Here are some ways in which VR might change the face of education in the future. Experiencing “Real” Life Students can get some idea of what life was like in ancient Rome through descriptive passages in a textbook, but this just doesn’t seem real to them. You could show them …

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How Early Should Kids Begin STEM Education?

Current research results are in favor of early childhood experiences for students, especially those who are disadvantaged. This education is the great equalizer because it provides a rich, common foundation for children who may have diverse backgrounds and experiences. So what does that mean? Students are capable of learning far more than you think they can. Most teachers will tell you that children will rise up to the standard you set, so you may as well elevate the bar for learning. And that brings us to STEM education in early childhood. That’s right – early childhood is the perfect time …

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Can Digital Equity Close the Achievement Gap?

Closing the achievement gap has been a focus of those looking to improve education for decades. The term “achievement gap” refers to the gap between the test scores of low-income students (or students of color) and their wealthier (or white) peers. There are dozens of theories on why this gap continues to exist and what we can do to bring low-income students’ achievement levels up. In recent years, one idea has come to light that has promise—using digital equity to close the achievement gap. Digital equity has also been the focus of education advocates for some years now. As digital …

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