The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading has devoted several GLR Learning Tuesdays sessions to the importance of investing in EdTech. We know that technology can support learning when it helps to “scale up standardized instruction, facilitate differentiated instruction, expand opportunities for practice, and increase student engagement,” as noted by The Brookings Institution. Obviously, EdTech got a big boost during the COVID-19 pandemic as schools shifted to remote learning and the availability of economic relief funds paved the way for the acquisition of EdTech products. Today, education leaders see EdTech as a way to enhance instruction and as a tool to scale needed interventions, such as tutoring and literacy instruction. 

The pandemic underscored the importance of equitable access to EdTech and closing the digital divide by expanding access to broadband. You may have heard me say: “Digital equity is a precondition and precursor to achieving the potential of education technology.” In this continuation of CGLR’s “Big Bets Working” series, we will explore how we can make sure all students have access to the technology assets that are needed for this “big bet” to accelerate equitable learning recovery. While we will highlight its potential impact on student learning, we will also investigate strategies to mitigate what I’ve called the “wild wild west” qualities of the EdTech marketplace. With $80 billion spent on EdTech, we will lift up emerging resources and certification systems designed to help districts and communities select EdTech tools that are best for their students’ learning needs and the adults who will be interfacing with the tools and the learners. 

Join us for this special holiday rebroadcast for an opportunity to hear from EdTech experts who can shed light on strategies to make the marketplace work for educators and students and investigate the best uses of EdTech for learning acceleration and for scaling access to interventions. We were also joined by school district and program leaders who are using EdTech both inside and outside of the classroom to accelerate learning and scale effective programs. We know that the use of technology will only increase in the future, especially with the onset of AI, and we look forward to discussing how to make this investment of money and effort most effective for student learning.