In this episode of Innovations in Education, we do a deep dive into the ongoing battle against cyber threats. We explore the intersection of technology and human behavior, where the real battleground lies in preempting threats before they breach the network. Rivka underscores the importance of leveraging advanced technologies like machine learning and threat intelligence to stay one step ahead of adversaries. Yet, amidst the buzz of AI and cutting-edge defenses, she reminds us of the foundational importance of sound data management and collaborative efforts across departments.

John represents TPR Education, including The Princeton Review and tutor.com. They aim to highlight their services for all students and districts, emphasizing equity and support structures. John discusses the evolution of remote tutoring, especially its impact on underserved communities. He also addresses the changing landscape of test preparation, focusing on digital SAT and training teachers. Additionally, John outlines two key focuses for the event: high-dosage tutoring and integrating AI into their services for faster and more insightful support. Conversation highlights: Equity and Support: TPR Education emphasizes providing support structures for all students and districts, highlighting their services' accessibility and effectiveness, particularly for underserved communities.Evolution of Remote Tutoring: The transcript illustrates how remote tutoring has evolved, especially during the pandemic, becoming more accepted and beneficial for students, particularly those in underserved areas.Changing Landscape of Test Preparation: With the introduction of digital SATs and shifting educational priorities, there's a focus on training teachers and providing effective test preparation services to adapt to these changes.Focus on High-Dosage Tutoring and AI Integration: TPR Education is prioritizing high-dosage tutoring programs tailored to specific student needs and integrating AI into their services to provide faster and more insightful support, aiming to enhance student learning outcomes and streamline processes for educators and parents.

This special episode of Innovations in Education highlights details from the recent webinar Analytics in Action: Innovative Approaches to Attract, Engage, Grow and Retain Top Talent. Panelists Kevin Agnello, Product Manager, Human Capital Analytics – Frontline Education and Keegan Bassett, Director of Human Resources – Queen Creek Unified School District (AZ) share insights on using analytics unique to their district to optimize recruitment processes, enhance employee engagement, and implement analytics to identify and nurture the best candidates. Frontline HCM, a connected human capital management suite, equips schools with everything needed to support the entire employee lifecycle from recruiting to retirement. Built exclusively for K-12 education, it includes applicant tracking with proactive recruiting capabilities, seamless onboarding, connected time tracking and absence management functionality, professional learning and evaluation tools, and the ability to oversee benefits, compensation, and position management with automated workflows across the suite. Designed around the unique needs of K-12 and flexible enough to support state and local regulations for time tracking, performance evaluation, and hiring practices, Frontline’s HCM suite brings greater efficiency, productivity, and performance to school districts so leaders have more time to focus on what will most support great teaching and student learning.

The Culture Conscious Campuses Model which has been approved by the Texas Education Agency commissioner as a research-based instructional model with proven results in increasing academic success for African American students as well as students from low socio-economic backgrounds, regardless of their race or ethnicity. Host Kevin Hogan talks to the author.

It wasn’t all about AI in K-12 in 2023! SEL, equity, and more were top news. In this special episode of Innovations in Education, editors Laura Ascione and Kevin Hogan go through the list of the most-read stories from 2023 and identify the best insights for our readers.

Avantis Education, the leading provider of VR and AR content and hardware for K-12 schools, has released a new white paper: “Building Back Stronger: New Thinking and Technologies Reshaping Education” which delves into the myriad ways K-12 schools are embracing different methodologies and cutting-edge technologies to support students following a period of declining academic success. The white paper, released under the brand ClassVR, Avantis’ award-winning all-in-one VR/AR headsets for schools, is available for download at https://bit.ly/BBSwhitepaper. As stated in the white paper, “issues such as underfunding, understaffing, the digital divide and the impacts of the pandemic have set the stage for an ambitious revival.” It notes that ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding has provided school districts with opportunities to leverage new educational approaches and technologies and that “these innovations serve as the catalysts for rejuvenation, charting a course toward the restoration of educational excellence. U.S. education is building back stronger.” The white paper examines several specific approaches and technologies being used in schools, including: The flipped classroomAI-generated teaching materialsThe no-grades movementData-driven learning analyticsPost-pandemic expansion of SELVR and ARMaker-based learning, makerspaces and STEM labs The white paper includes insights from five education thought leaders: Dr. Rupert Rawnsley, Chief Science Officer for Avantis EducationChristopher Klein, Education Consultant for Avantis EducationSimon Luxford-Moore, Head of eLearning at ESMS independent schoolsLuke Knightly-Jones, Education Researcher and private tutor for Royal TutorsDr. Lorah Sirri, Senior Lecturer in Educational Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University It also provides examples of how some of these approaches and technologies are being used in classrooms. “The 2020s will likely be a defining decade for education as schools and policymakers rethink their approaches to education,” said Avantis Education’s Chief Executive Officer, Huw Williams. “In this white paper we provide an informative look at some of the innovations happening in K-12 schools today and their potential to engage students and support academic growth. It includes thoughtful context offered by experts in the field about these practices and technologies in order to help inform the conversation about how best to support students in moving forward.”

McGraw Hill’s Patrick Keeney discusses the topic of career and technical education (CTE) in middle schools  This episode of Innovations in Education, hosted by Kevin Hogan, is sponsored by McGraw-Hill. In this special edition of Innovations in Education, Content Director Kevin Hogan speaks with McGraw-Hill’s Patrick Keeney about various aspects of career and technical education (CTE), including its expansion beyond traditional vocational or trade-focused subjects, the importance of soft skills, and the curriculum and teaching methods used in CTE courses for middle school students.

Game-based learning holds great potential for student engagement in the classroom--where is it headed?In this episode of Innovations in Education, a conversation with Ki Karou, Senior Director of Product, Content for MIND Research Institute, on the evolving landscape of education, gamification, and technology integration.

The 2023 eSchool News K-12 Hero Awards honors educators for their exemplary use of innovative edtech to support student learning. Profiled here is winner John Arthur, a 6th grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School nominated by Follett. Stay tuned for two more winner profiles to come. John Arthur, a sixth-grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School in Salt Lake City, was the 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year and one of four finalists for 2021 National Teacher of the Year. Now in his 10th year of teaching, John’s students have gained national recognition as champions for children and immigrants like them through music videos and other digital content they create and share across platforms as @9thEvermore (on YouTube and Twitter/X). Moreover, he uses Kwame Alexander Bookfest book club from noted author Kwame and Follett to help his students see themselves in story, build literacy skills, and allow students to share their experiences and emotions through books.

When educators use edtech tools properly, student achievement and engagement can reap the benefits In this episode of Innovations in Education, Madeleine Mortimore, Global Education Innovation and Research Lead for Logitech details how classroom technologies, if used properly, can increase engagement and ultimately test scores.

Liz Collins, Senior Product Manager at Gale, part of Cengage Group, discusses the post-pandemic techniques districts are integrating to create better individual experiences for students.

Instructure’s senior leadership discusses the course of one of the world’s leading open-source learning management systems. On this special edition of Innovations of Education, host Kevin Hogan sits with CEO Steve Daly, CPO Shiren Vijiasingam, and Vice President of Global Strategy Ryan Lufkin to lay out post-pandemic strategies for the company.

In this episode, Wilson Tsu, founder of PowerNotes talks about how AI is being baked into his and other platforms to transform the ways students perform research—and how the rise of AI has re-invented the role of libraries and librarians.

Esports continues its evolution as it becomes an important part of student engagement--here's how educators can leverage its popularity This month’s episode of Innovations in Education features James O’Hagan, Vice President of Education Innovation at LeagueSpot. O’Hagan shares his insights on the continued emergence of esports as an integral part of any school’s overall education experience; how student use of tech in esports compliments and clashes with other onscreen activities; and what strategies educators can use to make the best of this phenomenon.

Student mental health is under the microscope--here's why SEL is critical for schools and districtsOne of many post-pandemic truths exposed and emphasized is that learning outcomes suffer without proper student mental health measures. In this episode of Innovations in Education, host Kevin Hogan has a conversation with Sonny Thadani, CEO of Robin, to explore how SEL can be integrated into district policies and school curricula. The key? Get everyone involved.

STEM education doesn't have to be intimidating--here's how to work it into everyday teaching and learning.STEM education might seem a bit overwhelming, but if teachers can move past their initial hesitation, they're likely to find more than a couple ways to highlight STEM each day. In this episode of Innovations in Education, hosted by Kevin Hogan: An interdisciplinary approach to STEM can help close equity gapsHow teacher agency has improved post-pandemicThe need for STEM starts early and sets students up for success

Listen to an industry expert explain how robotics offers the perfect way for younger students to develop critical higher-order skills. While many think of high school students engaged in mechanical engineering or robotics competitions when they hear the word “robotics,” the subject naturally lends itself to learners of all ages—including very young students. In this episode of Innovations in Education, hosted by Kevin Hogan, you’ll hear from Jason Innes, Director of Curriculum, Training and Product Management at KinderLab Robotics, Inc., discuss why robotics is an excellent way to introduce young learners to coding, computational thinking, and design principles.

STEM learning is critical--here's how educators can approach STEM education's changing presence in schools.In this episode of Innovations in Education, hosted by Kevin Hogan: What is computer science education lacking?Why educational robotics is a critical STEM learning toolSTEM Lessons Straight from the Classroom

Education leaders have turned their focus to critical areas, including innovation, cybersecurity, and pandemic-related learning recovery. In this episode of Innovations in Education, hosted by Kevin Hogan: Finding the learning loss data needed to drive learning recoveryEducation must keep pace with evolving ransomwareCurrent Challenges and Trends in K-12 Education

Creating a school culture that supports the mental health and overall well-being of students and teachers is critical to school success.In this episode of Innovations in Education, hosted by Kevin Hogan: 3 strategies to support student well-being and SELBuilding culture and community takes more than a committeeFostering student well-being