News Roundup – 6/21

Our weekly roundup of education technology, workforce technology, and venture capital news.

Increasing equity for all students through career-connected education – Educators have the passion to help all students succeed, but as students progress through their education journeys, education becomes more specialized, tracked, and siloed, resulting in inequitable learning opportunities. A division between career technical education and traditional academic education undermines students’ success, with disparity continuing into college and the workforce. Career-connected learning curriculum could create equity for all students and prepare them for future success, regardless of their post-graduation plans. To ensure that all students receive the same quality education, educators must enhance equity and promote career and academic readiness for all students.

Innovative solutions to meet diverse student needs – This quick Q&A article addresses the challenges that special educators face in providing student support, especially with the increasing demand for special education services and staff shortages. Dr. Barbara Jenkins emphasizes the need for new and innovative ways to provide services, including embracing technology like teletherapy. She highlights the importance of using technology to overcome staff shortages and provide individualized services efficiently. Jenkins also emphasizes the potential of artificial intelligence in transforming K-12 education, urging schools to embrace technology-based solutions to meet student needs effectively.

How companies can use AI to find and close skills gaps – To effectively train employees on digital skills, companies must have a clear understanding of their current workforce’s skill levels. Artificial intelligence can assist in this process by analyzing employee data to identify skills proficiency and areas for improvement. By implementing a skills inference process, companies have been able to assess and enhance their employees’ digital expertise, leading to increased engagement in professional development activities. Leaders must also recognize that traditional career advancement paths may not suit all employees and should be flexible in offering opportunities for lateral moves and skill development. Ultimately, ongoing training and mentorship are crucial for employees to adapt to evolving skill requirements and remain relevant in the workforce.

Our portfolio company PAIRIN uses AI-personalized career and education matching to provide complete view of an individual’s skills, experience, education, interests and desires within a single workforce platform. Learn more about the work they do.

Bringing back curiosity: How digital tools can help us rethink education – Curiosity is essential for learning and problem-solving. However, education systems often focus on standardized testing at the expense of fostering curiosity and creativity. Incorporating tools like Interactive Digital Narratives and systems thinking and mapping allows us to re-think how we educate students to navigate a complex world and find innovative solutions to global challenges. It’s imperative that we bring curiosity back to the classroom through these approaches to help build cognitive development, enhance collaboration, and empower learners to explore and understand the interconnectedness of our world.

Opinion: Students Need Soft Skills — Digital Educators Can Teach Them – Educators are beginning to realize the importance of soft skills in the business world. This article details 11 essential soft skills, such as communication, leadership, teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, time management, adaptability, work ethic, critical thinking, conflict management, and emotional intelligence. It’s also important to teach these skills in digital education environments as they are the perfect setting for students to develop and utilize soft skills. For a more systematic approach to teaching soft skills, educators could incorporate discussions, stories, and lessons on these topics to increase student awareness and desire to gain these vital skills.

A new teacher’s perspective: Today’s best edtech resources – It’s important to understand how digital tools promote student engagement in the classroom. A STEM teacher in rural Montana shares insights on integrating technology effectively, including utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT, and setting up esports programs to engage students and promote STEM interests. They also use simulators and STEM kits for hands-on learning experiences, incorporating augmented and virtual reality to enhance understanding across subjects, and leverage virtual tours and field trips to ignite student curiosity in various career paths. The teacher emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and seeking out educational resources and opportunities to enhance teaching practices.

Only 5% Of Students In Ed-Tech Learning Adds To The Digital Divide – In the ‘90s, the term “digital divide” emerged to describe the gap between students who had access to educational technology and those who did not. Ever since then, efforts have been made to address this issue, culminating in the creation of the E-Rate program. However, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that the digital divide had only widened, with many students lacking access to the internet and necessary technology for remote learning. Despite advancements in education technology, only 5% of students are fully engaged with these tools, Unsurprisingly, those from more affluent families disproportionately benefit. To address this gap, there is a call for policymakers, school leaders, and the education innovation community to work together to ensure equitable access to educational opportunities for all students.

Here at New Markets Venture Partners it’s our mission to measurably improve economic mobility for millions of Americans, especially for those most in need through our portfolio of transformative companies. Learn more about our impact.

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