For many districts, the pandemic came as a wake-up call urging leaders to get up to speed in the edtech sense. According to David Hoffert, superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools, his community was ready.

“WCS has been a leader in instructional technology and was an early adapter to 1:1 technology,” he says. “When the pandemic hit, we were prepared with devices and basic instructional practices.”

What did come as a shock was the depth needed to adapt to the pandemic.

“The lessons learned pushed us out of our comfort zone and helped us create a model for post-pandemic instructional practices,” he explains. “Our movement—and continual push—is to create a synchronous learning environment when using technology. Students crave personal interaction and not a pre-recorded lesson.  Collaborative tools for new forms of communication with students, parents and the community have become a must!”

This frame of mind is also shared by Josh Carter, principal of Science Hill High School of Johnson City Schools in Tennessee, who took measures to ensure his school was utilizing technology before COVID-19.

“Prior to the pandemic, we had already made several important moves toward integration of educational technology,” he says. “We had been one-to-one for a couple of years. Our students have Chromebooks and our teachers were using Canvas and several other ed tools.”

However, he notes that the pandemic elevated the school’s use of these tools. It allowed all of his teachers to become fully immersed in Canvas, and now edtech is here to stay.

“That immersion has continued, and all of our classes have a robust presence on Canvas,” he says. “As far as other tech tools, our staff is much more likely to try new things post-pandemic. Most of our classrooms use technology to enhance their lessons on a daily basis.”

As K12 school districts continue to embrace innovative edtech tools, District Administration sought to understand which solutions have proven most successful for some of the most impactful leaders in education. And to no surprise, Canvas, VR simulations and Google products seem to dominate the education sphere.

Lenon Harvey, director of information services at Putnam County School District, which is led by Florida’s 2023 Superintendent of the Year Richard Surrency, says tools like GoGuardian, Clever, Canvas, GoogleWorkspace, Renaissance Learning Products, Savvas and McGraw Hill are among the tools that have had “a significant impact” on his district’s students and staff. What sets these platforms apart, he notes, is their efficiency, personalized learning experiences, collaboration and access to digital resources.

“We had a deliberate process for incorporating new edtech tools into our teaching and learning practices that ensures they are effective and safe for our students,” Harvey says. “Our IT department has recently developed a Technology and Infrastructure for Digital Education (TIDE) plan, which includes Innovation Navigators responsible for vetting the efficacy of new programs before they are implemented in our district. This ensures that all tools we adopt are thoroughly evaluated and meet our high standards for effectiveness, data privacy and security.”

He adds that they also utilize coaches within their “Teaching and Learning Department,” who evaluate the efficacy of curriculum programs before they’re adopted to ensure all aspects of teaching and learning are impactful.

Similarly, Carter says tools like Nearpod, IXL and Hapara are widely used by his teachers, which he says have profoundly impacted how teachers deliver content, student engagement and closing learning gaps.

To be a school that leverages edtech to enhance learning engagement, he says they must be innovative yet cautious to ensure their interventions are effective.

“Six years ago, our district started a Teacher Leader program for educational technology,” Carter says. “Each cohort participates in a year-long program that trains them to be technology leaders in their building. When a teacher at Science Hill wants to learn about a new tool, the teacher leaders are here to help. They provide professional development sessions as well as one-on-one assistance. These teacher leaders, along with our district supervisor of educational technology, vet potential ed tools regularly.”

More from DA: This principal and a superintendent made historic gains this year. What’s next?

Don Killingbeck, superintendent at Hemlock Public Schools in Michigan, has long known the importance of technology in the classroom, which proved instrumental in their transition to remote and blending learning during the pandemic.

Since then, his district has added several platforms to its “edtech toolbelt,” such as Google Classroom, Paper, NWEA, Skyward, Kami, GoGuardian, Edgenuity, IXL and SAM Labs.

“Overall, these tools can be impactful for students and staff by providing greater access to resources, promoting personalized learning and improving communication and collaboration between teachers and students,” Killingbeck says.

“For the most part, we believe that technology tools should serve the purposes of either improving instruction or simplifying processes to make either or both the student and staff experience better,” he adds. “We believe that the best ideas come from staff in the field and try to harvest their ideas and implement them in a variety of ways.”

Fidelity, intuitiveness and ease of access for students, teachers and parents are some of the primary necessities of a successful edtech tool, WCS Superintendent Hoffert says. His district’s post-pandemic response is to focus on what works and what doesn’t.

“Too much of everything is nothing and unrealistic to support appropriately,” he says.

Tools like Google Classroom, Google Suite, SeeSaw, Canvas, Apptegy and ParentSquare have become some of the district’s most valuable solutions.

“Google has become a ‘go to’ in many facets of life and there is a comfort with parents along with ease of integration,” he notes. In addition, they’ve been intentional when it comes to relying on data and feedback to make such decisions.

“As a district of roughly 7000 students and 500 certified teachers, it is important that our technology department can support the devices and programs,” he says. “Through the feedback and continual evaluation, our teams are able to provide implementation and ongoing support of the recognized technological devices and district-approved programs.”

Alongside the explosion of education technology exists a need to support students as they prepare for a career after graduation. Jonathan

Prince, superintendent of St. Lucie Public Schools in Florida, said the goal is to mix the two ideas using virtual reality.

SLPS leverages a variety of simulations ranging from driver’s ed to welding. By using VR, students can gain real-world experience without the fear of seriously injuring themselves or others.

“These are very inexpensive tools to teach kids, particularly in career and technical education, how to use a welder and how to weld materials,” Prince says. “We have a lot of internships in our district with local industries, but the bottom line is a lot of times before those internships start, the kids are ready to go because of the technology they’re afforded in the classroom with some of these simulations.”

Edtech in 2023-24

As this school year soon comes to a close, district leaders have already begun preparations for 2023-24. If schools learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that we shouldn’t return to normal. And according to these leaders, they don’t intend to.

“It’s true that the edtech industry will continue to evolve and change in the coming years, and there will likely be winners and losers,” says Killingbeck. “The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technology in education, and many schools and districts have had to quickly implement new solutions to support remote and hybrid learning. As we move forward, it will be important for districts and solution providers to continue to focus on providing effective and impactful solutions that meet the needs of students and teachers. This may require innovation, collaboration and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. Ultimately, the success of edtech solutions will depend on their ability to support student learning and achievement.”

The post Which edtech product is already changing learning for the better? 5 districts weigh in appeared first on District Administration.

In July 2022, more than 500 tech and education leaders issued a call to action advocating for the expansion of computer science education opportunities for students. Less than a year later, K12 education technology has come much further than we anticipated.

On Tuesday, The AI Education Project, a nonprofit that aims to create equitable learning experiences through AI literacy, announced the rallying of higher education institutions and school districts across the country to bring AI education to every student with one common goal: to support students in becoming thriving workers, consumers, creators and citizens in the age of AI.

The recent surge in AI technology, like ChatGPT, has caused educators and district leaders to shift their focus to how such tools can be used in the classroom.

“aiEDU has been advocating for foundational AI education since 2019, but the sudden explosion of generative AI tools onto the scene has led to a huge wave of interest from educators and education leaders over the past few months,” said AI Education Project co-founder and CEO Alex Kotran in a statement. “Those who were around for the step change brought on by computers and the internet are experiencing a sense of déjà vu; it feels like we are once again on the cusp of a once-in-a-generation technological revolution, and it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that this is a really, really big deal—especially for students.”

According to a news release, several notable colleges, universities and K12 school districts have joined as catalyzing partners to advance AI education opportunities for students:

Colleges and universities

• The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
• Georgetown CSET
• The Bay Area Community College Consortium
• The University of Tennessee
• Ohio University
• Miami University
• The University of South Florida
• Milwaukee School of Engineering
• Skyline College

Notable K12 school districts

• Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA (180K students)
• Hamilton County Schools, TN (44K students)
• Anaheim Union High School District, CA (30K students)
• Akron Public Schools, OH (20K students)
• San Benito CISD, TX (10K students)

“We urgently need to help our schools and educators evolve learning strategies for the Age of Artificial Intelligence, and aiEDU has an ambitious plan to help them do just that,” said Tiffany Taylor, Chief People & Impact Officer at GSV Ventures, and aiEDU Board Member. “This might be the single most important challenge in the history of the U.S. education system, and no organization can solve the problem alone. The incredible coalition of partners that aiEDU has assembled validates its commitment to collaboration across the entire ecosystem.”

More from DA: These are 7 of the most disruptive forces in education

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Nearly every job requires its employees to have a considerable range of digital skills, according to a report from the National Skills Coalition, an organization that seeks inclusive and high-quality skills training for all. Most students meet this expectation on their own, considering many students have access to the internet and a mobile device or computer. Schools can further prepare students for a successful future in tech through a multitude of career prep programs. How about a career in one of the most dominant industries in tech: app development?

Appy Pie, a no-code development platform, recently announced a free app development workshop designed for K12 and college students. The program aims to provide students with hands-on professional experience and introduce them to the world of app development. By removing coding from the creation process, teachers can utilize the workshop in their classrooms without any barriers to entry.

“We started back in 2015,” says Joel Perez, senior relationship development manager at Appy Pie. “Around that time, everything was program-based or code-based, so if you wanted to do anything you needed to know some kind of advanced coding. To jump this hurdle, we came up with a solution so now it’s a drag-and-click kind of process where you’re just building it and designing it.”

It does require some degree of configuration, he says, in order to set up the app. But it’s “really minimal.”

Since its inception, according to Perez, they’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and teachers.

“They love it,” he says. “They love that we’re starting these courses showing people how to build apps. It’s a great place to start and get that hands-on experience. With the app builder, you can create an app within five minutes and test it on your Apple or Android device. That’s how quickly you can have something done.”

Notable colleges and school districts around the world are utilizing the program, such as Reed Union School District, Fresno Unified, Montecito Union, Coleg Cambria (UK), Texas Southern University, and Westminster & Emirates College of Advance Education (University of Westminster).

Teachers and students can participate in a pre-recorded curriculum where students can learn at their own pace with live sessions tailored for that particular course throughout. Perez says students have access to a variety of other opportunities beyond app development.

“We do automation, we have a website builder, a chatbot builder and other different products,” he says. In addition, for college students or more advanced users, they’re able to remove the “no coding” feature to obtain those real-world skills.

“We do have a code page that they can add to the app and they can develop apps themselves,” he explains.

Perhaps one of the most valuable features of the program is that students can tangibly see the value in their product. According to Perez, schools can implement students’ apps into their daily operations.

“Maybe you need a school directory app, for example,” he says. “Or an app that’s going to display the school lunches, the school programs, events, maybe newsletters. We have schools using the actual apps in the real-life school environment.”

More from DA: Question of the week with ChatGPT: How to promote college and career readiness

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Cybersecurity has become an increasing issue in the education sector over the past year. It has become the most-targeted industry for cyberattacks as a result of the abundance of technological innovations since the pandemic.

Given the uptick in cybersecurity threats against K12 institutions since the pandemic, new research reveals the critical role cybersecurity teams play in their organizations. As technology continues to advance, cybersecurity teams will be required to hire and train the next generation of experts. And they could be your very own students.

In 2023, nearly 400 tech companies have let go of more than 100,000 employees, more than half of the layoff count in 2022 according to Layoffs.fyi, a website that keeps track of job cuts in the technology industry. Major companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon contributed to more than 50,000 layoffs total, according to Business Insider. Yet, one sector is expected to prevail amidst these uncertain times: cybersecurity.

According to a recent survey from (ISC)², a non-profit organization that specializes in training and certification for cybersecurity professionals, cybersecurity is expected to be the least-impacted industry amidst an economic downturn. The researchers asked over 1,000 C-suite business leaders, including tech executives such as CIOs and CISOs, about their concerns related to the economy. Based on their responses, only 10% foresee reductions in cybersecurity teams, compared to an average of 20% in other areas (finance, HR, IT, marketing, operations, R&D, and sales). In addition, 42% of cybersecurity teams anticipate an increase in staffing in 2023.

When asked why cybersecurity teams were less likely to see substantial job cuts compared to other departments, they said:

“Because as the economy gets worse, and more people are out of work, cybercrime will increase. We have to be prepared with cybersecurity to combat the threat.”

“Cybersecurity is one of the top priorities in my organization. We can’t jeopardize our reputation, lose trust and face penalties due to lack of security.”

“They are essential to the business’s welfare and its continuation.”

So as you counsel your high school students or your college freshmen, consider pushing them in a direction that offers a safe and reliable future, no matter the situation. Because let’s face it, technology waits for no one. Let’s ensure students are future-ready.

More from DA: Question of the week with ChatGPT: How to promote college and career readiness

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Promoting college and career readiness early on helps prepare students for a lifetime of health through greater income opportunities and social-emotional well-being. Access and creativity are some of the best ways to approach implementing initiatives in this area. For example, Mount Adams School District in central Washington’s conceptual framework centers around college and career readiness. Once a week they have early-release Wednesdays so that students can participate in high-interest classes.

“It’s kind of a career development program where we invite people from different careers to come in and spend time with kids,” said Superintendent Curt Guaglianone in a recent interview.

For leaders who may not have a clear, set-in-stone program in place, how can begin?

Every week, District Administration asks ChatGPT, an artificially intelligent chatbot that can generate text based on human commands, one question designed to help district leaders solve some of the most pressing questions in education today. How would it recommend you implement college and career readiness initiatives in your district? Let’s find out.

“What are five ways district leaders can prioritize college and career readiness for their school systems?”

Sure, here are five ways district leaders can prioritize college and career readiness for their school systems:

1. Establish clear goals and expectations: District leaders should set clear, measurable goals for college and career readiness and communicate those goals and expectations to all stakeholders, including teachers, students, and parents. This can include setting benchmarks for academic achievement, providing career exploration opportunities, and ensuring that students have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in college or the workforce.
2. Invest in professional development: District leaders should invest in professional development for teachers and staff, focusing on areas such as curriculum development, data analysis, and instructional strategies that support college and career readiness. This can also include partnering with local businesses and organizations to provide opportunities for educators to learn about industry trends and workforce needs.
3. Emphasize career exploration: District leaders should provide students with opportunities to explore various career paths, including internships, job shadowing, and mentorship programs. This can help students better understand the skills and knowledge they will need to be successful in different careers and help them make informed decisions about their future.
4. Provide college and career counseling: District leaders should ensure that all students have access to college and career counseling services, including assistance with college applications, financial aid, and career planning. This can also include partnering with local colleges and universities to provide students with information about admissions requirements, majors, and career pathways.
5. Build partnerships with local businesses and organizations: District leaders should build partnerships with local businesses and organizations to provide students with real-world learning experiences and opportunities to apply what they have learned in the classroom. This can include apprenticeships, job shadowing, and internships, as well as partnerships to develop and implement work-based learning programs that align with local workforce needs.

More from DA: Question of the week with ChatGPT: How can we attract—and retain—teachers?

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Most K12 leaders agree that school counselors are tasked with supporting students’ academic success, career development and social/emotional development through comprehensive counseling programs, says a new report by the American School Counselor Association. But significant percentages of administrators also noted that counselors in their schools are saddled with responsibilities outside their purviews:

• Coordinating 504 plans
• Building the master schedule for students’ classes
• Coordinating statewide testing programs
• Coordinating paperwork and data entry of all new students
• Providing ongoing individual counseling as part of an IEP
• Maintaining cumulative student files
• Covering classes when teachers are absent or creating teacher planning time
• Computing grade-point averages
• Providing long-term counseling/therapy
• Disproportionate time supervising common areas (lunch, hall, bus, etc.) compared with other staff in the building
• Coordinating schoolwide individual education plans (IEP) 6.9% 7.3%
• Performing disciplinary actions or assigning disciplinary consequences

Still, most of the district and building administrators surveyed said their counselors were delivering a comprehensive counseling program and fulfilling other vital roles, such as making data-driven decisions; working to improve student achievement, attendance and discipline rates; and implementing a college and career readiness curriculum. Most administrators also said counselors were regularly providing individual, small group and family counseling.

“We hope this study sheds more light on the critical importance of the school counselor and administrator partnership,” said Jill Cook, executive director. of the American School Counselor Association. “School counselors’ work directly affects the student outcomes by which schools and administrators are measured. When administrators and school counselors collaborate, student success increases.”

The survey also identified areas where counselors and administrators could collaborate more effectively, particularly around equity initiatives. Administrators believe that counselors are working to identify and close equity gaps but district and building leaders also said that had not had access to evidence that the school counseling program was addressing gaps in achievement, attainment and opportunity.

Finally, a small number of administrators reported filling school counselor roles with other personnel, such as social workers and college advisors. Some respondents said they had done so because of a shortage of school counselors.

More from DA: How 3 states aim to cap the pay of K12 superintendents

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According to learning.com, an online curriculum provider, there are six digital skills that every K12 student must learn:

1. Computer fundamentals: This ranges from the basic understanding of how a computer works to the identification and proper use of hardware and software.
2. Keyboarding: An essential component of digital skills, keyboarding is required for some of the most basic forms of communication in the professional world.
3. Computational thinking: Students should learn how to take a problem-solving approach to complex tasks by breaking them down into smaller parts and identifying a sequence of steps to achieve a particular goal.
4. Word processing, spreadsheets and presentations: These are some of the most common tools used in both the education sphere and professional settings, according to learning.com. While the software programs may vary, the core knowledge and processes stay the same.
5. Internet use and communications: While we can bet that most students nowadays have already mastered this skill, schools must ensure that children know how to navigate and use the internet effectively, such as being able to fact-check and verify information.
6. Digital citizenship: This includes being able to handle personal safety and privacy, such as avoiding online threats and harassment and understanding how to respond in this situation.

But just how important are these skills to employers? Needless to say, schools must continue to convey the importance of digital literacy to their students.

According to a new report from the National Skills Coalition, an organization that seeks inclusive and high-quality skills training for all, a record 92% of jobs require “definitely digital” or “likely digital” skills. Their definition of digital skills includes having knowledge of email, simple spreadsheets, data entry, timecard software, or other industry-specific skills like bookkeeping through various electronic mediums.

Across all industries, nearly half (47%) of all jobs “definitely require digital skills,” according to the report. Only 8% of all jobs do not, further exacerbating the need to ensure students are digitally literate and career-ready.

“Workforce and education advocates and providers can support this goal (of an equitable digital skill foundation) by speaking up for digital equity investments that support workers’ goals and aspirations and respond to local businesses’ skill needs,” the report reads.”Workforce and education advocates and providers can encourage policymakers to embed digital problem-solving skills as allowable or required activities under existing workforce development, adult education, and higher education policies, as well as digital equity policies.”

More from DA: Shortage snapshot: Nearly two-thirds of educators considering quitting

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Educational institutions are in dire need of cybersecurity professionals as criminal organizations continue to set their sights on the education sector. Since the pandemic, the increased reliance on digital technology, such as virtual meetings and online learning, has created additional pathways enabling bad actors to access confidential student and employee data.

According to data from Cyberseek, an organization that provides data about the cybersecurity market, there are nearly 770,000 job vacancies in the field, a clear indication that it needs reinforcement. In K-12, several districts have initiatives in place to ensure students have a head start on their careers in the field.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recently announced the expansion of its cybersecurity education initiative to all 50 states.

“Early cyber education is critical to our national security and tomorrow’s cybersecurity professionals are sitting in today’s classrooms,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly in a statement.

But what about higher ed? Which colleges are doing the most when it comes to providing top-tier education on the subject? Spiceworks, an information technology company, recently released its rankings in August of the best colleges in terms of cybersecurity education. Along with its list are six must-have modules for any cybersecurity course: “Foundational aspects of cybersecurity, hands-on program training, privacy and ethics, government and national security, risk and information assurance, and capstone projects.”

Now, here’s a look at the top 10 colleges for cybersecurity.

Carnegie Mellon University (1)

• According to Spiceworks, graduates seamlessly transition into their careers. It’s common for companies like Uber, Disney, Google and Facebook to look here when hiring cybersecurity professionals.

DePaul University (2)

• Accredited by the Department of Homeland Security, the university utilizes technology that enables students to take a game-like approach to learn where they’re presented with simulations of cyberattacks and it’s up to them to solve them. Alumni work at high-profile organizations, such as Apple, Microsoft, Paylocity and others.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (3)

• A private university, the institution specializes in offering courses surrounding technology sectors, aerospace, defense and aviation. In addition, it has its Center for Cybersecurity.

George Washington University (4)

• As the largest higher ed institution in the District of Columbia, it is designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. It is also one of the few colleges students can obtain opportunities in cybersecurity in higher education.

Iowa State University (5)

• The institution offers a range of courses under the umbrella of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Students with heavier focuses on computer science and other related majors can also minor in cybersecurity, according to Spiceworks.

Maryville University of Saint Louis (6)

• According to the rankings, the university is technology focused. Every student receives an iPad for online or remote instruction. Those who choose to take cybersecurity courses also have the option to follow the Offensive or Defensive track throughout their process of earning their undergraduate degrees.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (7)

• Known for its reputation in technology and science education, MIT offers a variety of cybersecurity courses. It is home to the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and the Interdisciplinary Consortium for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity.

St. John’s University (8)

• This Catholic university has its own dedicated Cybersecurity Center for research, education and practice in the field, according to the rankings. Students also have access to regularly scheduled workshops and technical training.

University of California Berkeley (9)

• The university offers a Master of Information and Cybersecurity that allows students to follow specific career pathways, such as government policy or privacy engineering. Faculty members also regularly conduct events to discuss emerging topics in the field.

The University of Texas at Dallas (10)

• The university launched its cybersecurity program in 2012 and founded the Center for Engaging Women in Cybersecurity in 2016. According to Spiceworks, the university has one of the longest-running cybersecurity programs in the country.

More from DA: These states continue to top the list for high school graduation rates

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The rankings, by the personal finance website WalletHub, highlight fun social environments, the costs of living, and ample academic and work opportunities. This off-campus atmosphere is particularly important as a source of cultural, social and religious support for underrepresented students, says Crystal Chambers, a professor of educational leadership in the College of Education at East Carolina University.

“Life off-campus is important to students both as part of their general social development as global citizens, and also as a retreat away from campus,” Chambers told WalletHub. “The latter can be helpful, particularly for those students who feel multiply minoritized.”

Weather was not an official factor, but four cities in Florida are in the top 10 and three Southern California cities made the top 25.

Considering that student living expenses can reach over $30,000 for a 12-month period, “wallet friendliness” is at the top of the 32 factors that determined WalletHub’s best college towns. Housing, tuition, loan debt, and the costs of fitness club memberships, movie tickets, pizza and burgers all figured into the “wallet friendliness” score.

The vibrancy of each city’s social environment was measured by gender balance, students per capita, share of single people and 18- to 35-year-olds, and percentage of residents who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Nightlife options, an NCAA Division 1 sports team, and the number of cafes, breweries and food trucks also earned more points in the rankings.

Finally, the quality of higher education, earnings potential for college graduates, entrepreneurial activity, and rate of “brain drain” were assessed in evaluating the academic and economic opportunities in each metro area. The median income for part-time jobs, the availability of part-time jobs and the unemployment rate were also factors.

Here are the top 30:

1. Austin, TX
2. Ann Arbor, MI
3. Orlando, FL
4. Gainesville, FL
5. Tampa, FL
6. Rexburg, ID
7. Provo, UT
8. Scottsdale, AZ
9. Miami, FL
10. Raleigh, NC
11. Princeton, NJ
12. Orem, UT
13. Irvine, CA
14. Atlanta, GA
15. College Station, TX
16. Charlottesville, VA
17. Salt Lake City, UT
18. Seattle, WA
19. Ithaca, NY
20. Pittsburgh, PA
21. Cary, NC
22. San Diego, CA
23. Colorado Springs, CO
24. Santa Barbara, CA
25. Athens, GA
26. St. Louis, MO
27. Cambridge, MA
28. Columbus, OH
29. Reno, NV
30. Oxford, OH

Here’s where to find out if your college or university made the list.

More from DA: Administrators placed on leave after making video portraying a fake school shooting 

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The driving force behind her solution for shifting social norms is empowering girls to shape their own relationships with technology by infusing STEM with the healthy dose of creativity that comes with a STEAM approach, says Imafidon, who will deliver the closing keynote, “The Tech Landscape And Cultivating Leaders Of The Future,” at the 2023 Future of Education Technology® Conference in New Orleans Jan. 23-26.

Greater inclusivity in a tech-driven world should also chip away at the persistent bias in data collection and algorithms that drive major decisions in society and industry, Imafidon adds.

Imafidon was the youngest girl ever to pass A-level computing when she was 11 years old and received her master’s degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Oxford at age 20. Since then, she has held positions at Goldman Sachs, Hewlett-Packard and Deutsche Bank and is now a visiting professor at the University of Sunderland and a member of the Council of Research England. Her latest book is She’s in CTRL, a guidebook to help women take back tech.

More from DA: The not-so-cinematic theaters at FETC that you do not want to miss

Imafidon answered a few questions from District Administration ahead of her FETC keynote:

1. What role do K-12 schools have to play in solving the tech skill shortage?

“K-12 schools have a very important role. For most people, their formative STEM/STEAM experiences are at school—many don’t have science capital provided in home environments. So ensuring that K-12 can see tech in all its creative, altruistic and diverse glory is paramount for inspiring folks to build tech skills.”

2. How can schools make tech more inclusive for girls and students from other underrepresented groups?

“Schools must focus on creativity, altruism and diversity in tech in order to make the space more inclusive. They also need to embrace equitable practices in teaching and engagement so underrepresented groups are clear that they have value in technical conversations.”

3. How do educators get these students engaged in tech and STEM?

“Start with fun! Bring in creativity and problem-solving. Don’t be prescriptive about the results of experimentation. Use the IoE equity compass to ensure you are starting from the interests and assets of students when engaging them with STEM and tech.”

4. How will inclusion impact our tech-driven world?

“It will ensure that tech is solving more problems than it creates. I explore the possibilities in my new book, She’s in CTRL.”

5. What else can attendees expect to hear about in your keynote speech?

Practical tips and mindsets to take back for themselves as well as their classrooms.

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