Edtech and Workforce Development News Roundup - 8/22
- Heather Harman
- Aug 22
- 4 min read
Our weekly roundup of education technology, workforce development, and venture capital news.
Today’s education landscape is changing fast, and technology is a key driver of that shift. From encouraging entrepreneurial thinking in middle school with new edtech tools to using AI for personalized learning, mental health support, and career readiness, these innovations are reshaping how students build essential skills. Programs like high-impact tutoring, partnerships for cybersecurity training, and AI-powered platforms are helping to close achievement gaps and open up new opportunities for lifelong learning and career success. In this week's News Roundup, find out how schools and educators are adopting these technologies to be better positioned to prepare students for a future that’s increasingly focused on innovation and digital growth.
Fostering an Entrepreneurial Mindset in Middle School – Edtech solutions can help foster an entrepreneurial spirit in students by providing innovative tools and real-world project opportunities that promote creativity, resilience, and problem-solving. Through project-based learning experiences like designing businesses, creating podcasts, and pitching ideas, students develop essential skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and digital literacy. The integration of AI tools like ChatGPT and Canva enhances their ability to brainstorm, design, and iterate, making learning more engaging and relevant. By encouraging experimentation, reflection, and risk-taking, edtech empowers students to think like creators and innovators, preparing them for future challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing world.
How is AI shaping the future of education? A Baltimore tech founder weighs in. – The transformative impact of edtech, particularly AI and new technologies, on the future of education, is clear. AI-powered tools like personalized learning software are enabling students to learn at their own pace, engage interactively, and develop critical thinking skills through tailored, game-like experiences. Online platforms with augmented reality and flexible access are expanding educational opportunities beyond traditional classrooms, fostering creativity, collaboration, and higher-order skills essential for future workforce readiness. Educators and experts emphasize that embracing these innovations is crucial for preparing students for a rapidly evolving world, making edtech a vital driver of educational transformation.
Career-ready in the Age of AI? Only if higher ed rewrites the rules – Edtech plays a critical role in preparing students for an AI-driven future by fostering agility, innovation, and adaptability in education and workforce development. Making it a priority to Integrate AI literacy, ethical understanding, and industry-specific applications into curricula can help students develop essential skills for emerging job markets. Institutions that adopt a “warp speed” approach (similar to pandemic response efforts) can quickly redesign their structures to equip learners with the human and technical competencies needed to thrive alongside AI. By embracing agility and reimagining education, edtech can bridge the gap between current skills and future workforce demands, ensuring students are prepared for the transformative impact of AI on industries and careers.
AI Tools for Mental Health – This downloadable Trends Snapshot from The Chronicle of Higher Education highlights how technology solutions, particularly AI tools, can influence mental health support for students by supplementing traditional counseling services with accessible, immediate resources like AI-powered chatbots. These tools can promote daily wellness and provide a comfortable initial point of contact, helping to address the rising rates of anxiety and depression on campuses. However, experts emphasize the importance of transparency, ethical safeguards, and ongoing research to ensure AI applications effectively support student mental health without pathologizing normal stress or compromising privacy.
The Role of High-Impact Tutoring for States and School Districts – The transformative impact of technology-enabled high-impact tutoring in supporting student learning, attendance, and long-term success cannot be understated. By leveraging trained tutors (often college students or recent graduates supported by community and federal funds) schools can provide personalized, small-group instruction that helps students recover learning losses, improve attendance, and achieve critical milestones like reading proficiency and algebra mastery. These programs not only boost academic outcomes but also serve as a pipeline for future educators, addressing teacher shortages while making tutoring more affordable and scalable. As states and districts increasingly fund and implement tutoring initiatives, the integration of technology and strategic partnerships ensures that high-impact tutoring remains a powerful, evidence-based tool for closing achievement gaps and fostering student success.
Creating New Pathways for Cyber Skills – Innovative edtech and workforce development initiatives can address the cybersecurity skills gap by providing accessible, targeted training through partnerships between higher education institutions and tech training providers. These collaborations offer short-term courses, certifications, and hands-on experience at facilities, enabling students (including working adults and career changers) to quickly upskill and enter the workforce. By combining online learning, in-person training, and industry-aligned curricula, these programs expand capacity, foster upward mobility, and better prepare students for the evolving demands of cybersecurity jobs, ultimately helping to close the talent gap across industries.
As we look to the future, the integration of edtech and workforce development strategies will be essential in equipping learners with the skills, resilience, and adaptability needed to thrive in an AI-powered world. Embracing these tools today ensures a more inclusive, engaging, and future-ready education system for all.