News Roundup – 8/16

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

What Students Want When It Comes to AI – The Digital Education Council (DEC) recently published findings from a global survey of nearly 4,000 students across 16 countries regarding their opinions on AI in education. The survey revealed that while 86% of students use AI in their studies, many may not distinguish between general AI applications and specific tools like ChatGPT or Grammarly. Information searching is the most prevalent use for students who expressed a strong desire for greater integration of AI in their education, including training on AI tools. However, half of the respondents feel unprepared for an AI-driven future. Concerns about fairness in AI assessments were prominent, with 60% expressing skepticism about AI evaluations. The survey highlighted a call for clearer institutional guidelines on AI usage, as most students believe improvements are necessary. Overall, students exhibited both optimism and realism about AI’s potential in education, emphasizing the need for universities to enhance their approaches to AI teaching and policy development.

Students Configure Ed Tech to Function in the Great Outdoors – In Pennsylvania’s California Area School District, students are engaging in hands-on STEM learning by monitoring four local beehives with the help of edtech. Superintendent Laura Jacob highlights the benefits of using Raspberry Pi devices and cameras to collect visual data on bee behavior, teaching students programming with Python. However, they face challenges in powering the devices outdoors without an immediate power source, prompting students to learn about solar technology. They implemented solar panels and added a ‘pause’ feature to conserve energy at night. Additionally, students developed solutions to protect the Raspberry Pi devices from weather elements by housing them in waterproof containers. Listen to the audio clip or read the companion article.

Could alternative credentials become as valuable as degrees over the next decade? – A recent global survey conducted by ETS, involving over 17,000 respondents from 17 countries, highlights significant challenges in accessing education and achieving upward mobility. The findings reveal a widespread recognition of the importance of lifelong learning, with 88% acknowledging its necessity for success and well-being in today’s economy. However, access to quality education around the world remains impeded by factors such as affordability and socio-economic disparities. There’s a growing belief that micro-credentials will gain significance, potentially equating their value to traditional degrees by 2035. The report emphasizes the interconnectedness of education access, upskilling, and societal advancement, while also identifying systemic inequalities and the evolving role of AI in education as crucial elements for consideration in fostering a more equitable educational landscape.

44% of Americans Expect Importance of College Education to Decline Over Next 10 Years, New Survey Reveals – College Consensus, a comprehensive resource for college rankings and other information, recently conducted a poll surveying 500 Americans on their confidence in various forms of higher education, including traditional 4-year degrees, community colleges, trade schools, online colleges, and tech bootcamps. While over 50% of respondents expressed trust in traditional college for career and financial satisfaction, concerns regarding costs and student debt were prevalent, with nearly half expecting its importance to decline in the next decade. In contrast, trade schools garnered high approval, with some older respondents considering them a better investment than traditional degrees. Meanwhile, online colleges and tech bootcamps received lower trust levels. The findings reflect a growing uncertainty about higher education’s value in the current economic climate, highlighting a generational divide in perspectives on traditional educational paths.

What To Consider When Implementing Edtech – The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the crucial role of technology in education, leading to an increase in digital tool usage among teachers and students. Instructure’s Chief Academic Officer, Melissa Loble, discusses a recent report from her company indicating that while the demand for educational technologies remains high, a flattening of this growth is anticipated due to budget constraints and a need for focused, effective tools. Loble advocates for a balanced approach to technology adoption, emphasizing centralized vetting of tools to ensure safety and efficacy, while also encouraging teacher input in selecting resources. Additionally, she addresses the integration of AI in education, stressing the importance of evaluating these tools based on safety and intentional use to maximize student impact.

Don’t Leave Tech Leadership Out of Integrated Planning – This article emphasizes the critical role of technology leaders in K–12 school districts, advocating for their inclusion in strategic planning at the cabinet level. The importance of integrating IT leaders into decision-making processes to ensure effective budgeting and implementation of technology systems cannot be understated. The Consortium for School Networking’s Framework of Essential Skills underscores the necessity for these leaders to understand procurement rules and maintain oversight of the digital ecosystem, ensuring that all technology aligns with data privacy standards. Ultimately, the involvement of IT leaders is essential for compliance with legal obligations and for fostering informed decision-making in educational technology initiatives.

EDU CAST Episode 55 Durable Skills & Experiences for Students to Thrive in the Workforce with Kerry McKittrick – In this episode of EDU CAST, Kerry McKittrick, Co-Director of the Harvard Project on Workforce, shares insights on the durable skills and experiences students need to thrive in the workforce after college with José ‘Pepe’ Escamilla, Associate Director of Institute for the Future of Education. Learn more about the innovative strategies some colleges are using to bridge the gap between education and employment by listening to the episode.

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