Here are three of the latest and trending U.S. education and edtech news subjects from September 2022.
1. Why edtech isn’t just for students
In America’s K-12 schools, education technology has been at the forefront of integration for a variety of reasons. Whether to increase student engagement, enhance seamless transitions to hybrid learning, or create flexibility for teachers, teachers understand the important advantages of edtech integration in classrooms.
In Puerto Rico, some of the first introductions to edtech occurred during the height of the pandemic when schools were closed and instruction was forced to pause. The need for accessible internet became a worldwide problem. Puerto Rico’s solution? Television, or #EnCasaAprendo, which covered subjects for K-12 learners in over 2,880 episodes. Between interactive boards and last-minute transitions, our world’s teachers have proven their value and resiliency, and the industry as a whole has a responsibility to listen to their feedback.
2. Why community is important for hybrid students
Prior to 2020, it was typical for on-campus communities to thrive, given the “normal” day-to-day activities of college students. Post-pandemic, it’s clear that remote and hybrid learning have not been able to fully create a sense of belongingness, the thing students often crave most at school. This new wave of learning has highlighted the importance for both flexibility and community. The tool to intertwine the two? Technology.
If the pandemic drew attention to anything, it’s the need for technology to keep us engaged and entertained. In fact, the Avon Maitland District School Board saw an increase in student engagement after integrating interactive panels in their schools, but it didn’t stop there. Students used Promethean’s ActivPanel in conjunction with their wireless smartphones and tablets, keeping students engaged with lessons, and most importantly, connected to one another to keep the desire of community alive and thriving.
3. How much distance is too much distance?
While distance learning took off in recent years, it’s come with a price: post-pandemic recovery. This fall, teachers were forced into recovery mode, putting the focus on reclaiming learning from the loss students experienced in remote transitions.
However, distance learning isn’t a new concept. According to information shared by Promethean, distance learning has been around since 1728, so why has there been such a learning loss? K-12 Dive released findings from a report revealing that “54% of 3rd graders performed on grade level, compared to 65% prior to the pandemic.” While students adjust from one learning mechanism to another, there are six practices schools can practice to encourage student growth: cultivate education mindsets; leverage data; prioritize the needs of mental health; create an engaging and inspiring school environment; engage families; and provide resources that enhance and support teacher practice.
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