“[Coursera] is not as dependent on their university relationships and is instead relying on industry partners and internal content.”

What’s driving the shift from Coursera?

In earnings calls to investors over the past year, Coursera has discussed creating more AI classes and downplayed the significance of university partnerships, written by Phil Hill, an edtech market analyst.

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The recently introduced 15% platform fee suggests that Coursera believes its brand and platform���bolstered by an array of in-house, industry and university content���now hold enough leverage to justify reducing partner payouts.

“Coursera might have spent months of analysis and thoughtful discussion internally, but many university partners are, how shall we say, quite upset,” wrote Hill.

Industry certificates: A threat to online higher ed programs?

While the fee applies to Coursera’s industry and higher education partners, colleges are likely to see the bigger impact to their revenue streams, Colby says.

Revenue that Google may lose from offering certificates on Coursera “is a tiny sliver of what they do, and it arguably isn’t as important to them compared to the other benefits they get.”

For example, learners who become familiar with Google technologies while earning a professional certificate may be more likely to gravitate toward future products from the company.

The workforce’s demand for millions of workers skilled in AI has brought higher education into direct competition with industry providers of flexible, online certificates and bootcamps, Colby says.

“There’s this growing understanding of the upskilling population that not only are industry offerings a viable option, but, in some cases, they’re the better option.”

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In addition to budgeting restraints, school leaders are having a tough time attracting and retaining teachers and IT professionals in 2025, a from the Consortium for School Networking reveals. It’s one of the three major hurdles identified by CoSN’s global advisory board, a network of K12 educators, technologists and industry partners.

The other two tech-centered hurdles that keep schools from making significant progress are:

1. The evolution of teaching and learning: More professional development is needed to keep educators on track with the rapid pace of technological advancements.
2. Digital equity: Broken into three interrelated components���digital foundations, conditions for learning and meaningful learning opportunities���this hurdle is more than equitable access to digital technologies. Students must also develop the knowledge and skills to use technology and engage with accessible content and programs.

Despite these hurdles, educators and IT professionals are implementing tools that enable classroom learning and innovation. These include generative artificial intelligence, analytics and adaptive technologies, and untethered broadband and connectivity.

When it comes to implementing gen AI, it’s important that schools develop a policy for effective and ethical use,油the research adds.

One of gen AI’s most powerful use cases surrounds its ability to provide personalized learning. IT professionals can show educators how to use it to provide real-time feedback, create adaptive learning pathways and support lifelong learning.

“These capabilities help students become active participants in their education, empowering them to explore new ideas and develop critical thinking skills,” the research reads.

More from 91心頭: Student mental health: Early intervention is most important

How to do more edtech with less

We’ve identified the three major hurdles to tech-centered learning. Now, let’s go over CoSN’s recommendations for “doing more with less”:

Hiring and retention

When it comes to attracting and retaining educators and IT professionals, the first recommendation is to lean on AI tools that assist teachers with routine tasks to prevent burnout.

Next, create growth pathways and leadership development within your district. For instance, allow technicians to earn certifications to advance to networking and shadow colleagues in areas of interest.

Finally, leaders must find out what matters most to their employees when it comes to retention. If folks are leaving, conduct exit interviews to learn why.

The evolution of teaching and learning

Create a portrait of what a local graduate looks like and label it as your “north star” for instruction, leadership and processes.

Next, redefine what being educated means, allowing you to remove any unnecessary content that might disengage students.

Finally, explore more 沿顎姻沿看壊艶韓顎鉛油professional development, such as one-on-one instructional coaching. It’s a successful method for ensuring quality integration and achievement with edtech.

Digital equity

Ensure the gen AI tools you use are trained by individuals from diverse backgrounds to minimize bias and promote fairness. IT professionals must also油educate families about digital citizenship and community engagement.

For more information on what’s driving K12 innovation, read the full report .

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Date & Time: Thursday, December 12th at 4 pm ET

Discover how Career and Technical Education (CTE) is reshaping K-12 education to prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow. Join us for an engaging webinar tailored for educators, administrators, and district leaders to explore the vital role CTE plays in equipping students with essential academic, technical, and soft skills.

Hear from national and industry leaders about how CTE programs are driving engagement, enhancing STEM learning, and modernizing education through hands-on experiences and innovative technologies. Learn how tools like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are revolutionizing teaching, making lessons immersive and impactful. This session will uncover strategies for integrating CTE into your schools, aligning with high-growth industries like healthcare, technology, and business.

Don���t miss this opportunity to reimagine education and empower students for success in the modern workforce. Reserve your spot today and lead the future of education!

Presenters

Dr. Mark Covelle, 91心頭istrative Director, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology

Dr. Nneka McGee, Former CAO, Partnerships Success at Curipod

Omar Kayed, Chief Technology Officer, FN Immersive Innovation

Dr. Emmet Foxworth, CTE Teacher – Program Assistant, Deland Middle School

Adam Mangana, Chief Innovation Officer, OptimaEd

Jennifer Womble (Moderator), Conference Chair, Future of Education Technology Conference油

Sponsored by

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Embrace collaboration

One of the norms of collaboration our district follows is that people support what they help create. Whenever the district introduces a new strategy or technology, our first step is to gather all stakeholders for question-storming. During our question-storm, participants are only allowed to ask questions���even responses must be in the form of a question. Question-storming puts the focus on exploration instead of ideation, helping our team speak with candor and avoid judgment.

Once a list of questions has been produced, they���re prioritized to be answered. Some of the queries can be addressed immediately, but often we contact the vendor. Involving staff in this way gets early buy-in which helps when it comes to implementation and adoption.

Emphasize edtech that creates efficiencies

Doing more with less or the same amount is a familiar philosophy in education. That focus on efficiency is one we apply to edtech as well. It���s not just technology for classrooms either.

While teacher shortages often make the headlines, all over the country districts lack paraprofessionals, administrative support, and support staff, such as librarians. Solutions that enhance the experience for students while creating efficiencies for staff members in every part of the district are more important than ever.

For example, district libraries may seem as streamlined as possible, but there are opportunities for efficiencies, in critical areas like tracking library inventory and media assets. This is especially true as students now need to access materials from home or prefer digital materials like eBooks.

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Librarians support classrooms by creating reading lists for different grade levels or times of year���like a summer reading list. Our librarians used to do all of those tasks at a local level, either by building or on their own. Then we found that streamlines how our librarians manage assets and collections and explore materials. With greater capacity, our librarians can help even more students access the materials they want and need.

Elevate products with proven efficacy

When evaluating edtech, our district places a premium on a product���s proven efficacy, particularly when it is used in districts that share our profile.

Ypsilanti Community Schools is an urban-suburban district. We���re located 40 minutes outside of Detroit but our 3,800 students reflect the racial diversity of urban districts. We prioritize products that work for our students and staff and within our community context. Taking this approach isn���t a guarantee for success, but it does provide an effective starting point.

We continue our commitment to efficacy by practicing strategic abandonment and continually assessing a solution���s impact after it is implemented. Holding vendors accountable is a role our board of education takes seriously, asking vendors regularly for impact measurements and offboarding tools that don���t deliver.

Continuous professional development

Recognizing that effective technology integration requires ongoing support, we���ve embraced a model of prolonged professional development. One-time training sessions are insufficient. They cannot cater to diverse learning styles and are challenging to schedule because of coverage constraints caused by the staff shortage.

Instead, we opt for vendors who provide ongoing training to support staff members during evolving learning contexts and technology updates. Committing to continuous training not only supports current staff but puts a plan in place for new hires once they���re onboard.

Our district���s commitment to students and staff is led by the core values of heart and innovation. The same goes for the way we adopt edtech. We���ll never stop striving to improve how we support students with technology, but we���ll continue to do it in a way that recognizes the needs, capacity and benefits of our staff.

By prioritizing collaboration, efficiency, efficacy, and ongoing professional development we know we���ll more effectively navigate the staffing shortage while continually enhancing our students��� paths to success.

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Date & Time: Wednesday, October 30th at 7 pm ET

Join us for an insightful webinar focused on equipping K12 administrators, teachers, IT directors, and innovation leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to integrate AI literacy into their schools. A panel of expert edtech coaches, professional development trainers, and authors will share effective strategies for training staff in AI literacy, empowering educators to incorporate these skills into their professional practice and classroom teaching.

Discover practical methods to help educators understand and confidently use AI technologies, while fostering the development of AI literacy among students. Learn about the evolving role of AI in education, practical training techniques, and best practices for implementing AI concepts in both instructional and administrative settings.

Don���t miss this opportunity to lead the way in AI education and prepare students for the future by building a foundational understanding of artificial intelligence.

Speakers

A.J. Juliani, Author and Founder at Adaptable Learning, UPenn Graduate School of Education

Ainsley Hill, Instructional Technology Facilitator, Arlington Community Schools

Jennifer Womble, Conference Chair, FETC

Nneka McGee, Founder and Former Chief Academic Officer, Muon Global

Laura Williams, 21st Century Learning Specialist , AEA Learning Online

Holly Clark, AI Education Strategist, The Infused Classroom

Sponsored by

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Date & Time: Wednesday, August 7th at 2 pm ET

AI-driven edtech has the potential to revolutionize K-12 education. In this insightful roundtable discussion, a leading superintendent will share how their district is successfully integrating AI and the positive impact it���s having in their schools.油

Also on the panel will be thought leaders from Owl Ventures, Amira Learning and Istation, who will discuss the recent merger of these innovative edtech providers, and how future AI-powered technologies will impact K-12 teaching and learning.油油

Presenters

Rich Watson, CRO, Istation油

Mark Angel, CEO, Amira Learning油

Amit Patel, Managing Director, Owl Ventures油

Jeff McCoy, Associate Superintendent, Academics, Greenville County Schools

Sponsored by

The post Harnessing AI: Merging Innovation with Strategy for District-Wide Impact appeared first on District 91心頭istration.

Introducing District 91心頭istration���s first annual comprehensive list���in no particular order���of some of the country���s most influential, impactful leaders and innovators in K12 education. Collectively but in varying capacities they���re helping shape the future of students across the country��� and around the world���by turning their passions into actions:

Holly Clark is the owner and chief learning officer of , an education technology blog designed to provide teachers resources and professional development on AI in education and other edtech innovations.

The 91心頭 100 education influencers list. (Keep checking back until it’s complete).

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This year we’ve expanded the categories to the following:

��� Future Learning Technology Student Learning Technology
��� 91心頭istrative & Management Systems Technology
��� CTE, Upskilling & Credential Technology
��� Educator Curriculum & Instructional Technology
��� Virtual Learning Technology
��� Information Technology
��� Inclusive Technology
��� Assessment Tools & Technology
��� Student Support Technology
��� Safety and Security Technology
��� Library and Media Services Technology
��� eSports and Game-Based Learning Technology
��� Campus Equipment and Technology (FFE)

Here���s how the updated FETC Top EdTech Products awards program will work:

��� Solutions must be generally available by September 2024, have been developed or updated within the last year and must apply to K12 education.

��¬�All submissions must include a 5-minute video explaining and/or demonstrating the product. After assessment by a panel of judges, the winning education technology solutions will be named ���Top EdTech Products of the Year.��� These products will be recognized in油District 91心頭istration速 magazine and on districtadministration.com as well as at the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) 2025 in Orlando.

��� Companies will be divided into two categories: Startup and Midsize/Large. For this contest, we���re defining a startup as a company that has existed for two years or less with revenue under $1 million. To be considered, startups must have a working website. Midsize is defined as a company with up to $50 million in annual revenue, and large is over $50 million in revenue.

��� The entry fee is $149 for Startups and $199 for Midsize/Large companies. Entry fees must be paid at submission and are non-refundable.

A special Early Bird discount of $50 per entry will be in effect for those applicants who submit their entries between April 1 and June 30.

The companies with the highest-rated education technology solutions will be featured on the District 91心頭istration website and in promotional conference materials and join the exclusive list of education technology companies to be recognized at the Future of Education Technology Conference Jan. 14-17, 2025, in Orlando. They will also receive a Top EdTech Product Winner 2025 official digital logo for use in electronic communications and press materials as well as a winner’s banner to display at FETC 2025 and all other shows and conferences throughout the year.

Providers selected to continue in the process can expect to be notified by November 1, 2024.油

Download the following document through to start your application.

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Date & Time: Wednesday, April 17th at 4 pm ET

In the rapidly evolving world of education, where innovation is the key to staying ahead, AI-powered tools for education are emerging as transformative forces. One area witnessing a revolutionary change is assessments. As traditional assessment methods face challenges adapting to the digital age’s demands, Artificial Intelligence (AI) redefines how we evaluate learning outcomes. When we look ahead to the future of AI-powered tools in learning assessments, it’s a landscape filled with exciting possibilities. As we stand at the crossroads of technology and education, AI-powered tools offer a glimpse into the future of learning assessments. Their advantages���efficiency, personalization, and integrity���redefine how we measure and evaluate knowledge. While challenges and ethical considerations persist, the ongoing collaboration between humans and AI promises a future where education is no longer just adaptive but truly transformative.

AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we evaluate and enhance learning. It can provide personalized, real-time feedback to learners, adapt assessments to individual strengths and weaknesses, and even automate grading, freeing educators to focus on more meaningful student interactions. AI-powered tools can analyze a student’s learning patterns and customize assessments accordingly. This adaptability ensures that each learner is challenged at their own pace, promoting a more personalized and effective learning experience. AI can help identify student performance and engagement patterns, offering insights into Instructional Design and improving educational outcomes. As we move forward, integrating AI in learning assessments promises a more efficient, adaptive, and data-informed approach to education, benefiting both learners and educators. Educators should view AI not as a replacement for their role but as a valuable ally, enhancing their ability to provide quality education.

Artificial Intelligence helps personalize assessments, adapting difficulty based on individual progress. The evolving landscape of learning assessments is all about making education effective, engaging, and, most importantly, learner-centered. In embracing AI-powered tools for assessments, we embark on a journey toward a more inclusive, efficient, and personalized educational experience, where the synergy between human expertise and Artificial Intelligence creates a learning environment that prepares students for the challenges of tomorrow.

Presenter油

Dr.油 Monica Burns, Author & EdTech Consultant, Class Tech Tips, LLC

Dan Fitzpatrick,油Author and AI Strategist

Carl油 Hooker, Author & Educational Consultant, HookerTech LLC

Jennifer Womble, Conference Chair, FETC

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Date & Time: Thursday, January 18 at 4 pm ET

Join us for a preview of the Future of Education Technology Conference 2024.

The FETC National Conference will be held in sunny Orlando FL January 23rd through 26^th at the Orange County Convention Center. Whether you���re a first-time attendee or FETC veteran, join this free webinar to learn how to maximize your professional development opportunities and get a preview of all the speakers, exhibitors, and exciting new events at FETC in 2024.

Discover how to make the most of your time and meet your professional goals at the nation’s largest independent educational technology conference! Get all the latest details on FETC special networking events, tracks, keynotes, workshops, sessions and using the mobile app to build your schedule. Come explore the new expo activities and event schedule to be prepared when you arrive! Our webinar team will help you navigate the schedule and the expo hall to maximize your time and return to school with the latest resources and technology skills to improve teaching and learning!

Presenters

Jennifer Womble, Conference Chair, FETC

Shannon McClintock Miller, District Teacher Librarian, Van Meter Community School/Future Ready

Jaime Donally, EdTech Presenter, ARVRinEDU

Keven Rinaman, Director of Innovation and Educational Technology, Calvert Catholic Schools

Kristen Brooks, Technology Specialist, Kristen Brooks #forEDU

Sponsored by

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