Hearing from Educators Matters: Insights Gleaned from the EdExec Summit Clarification Meeting

In the world of education technology, the annual Tech & Learning EdExec Summit serves as a platform for district leaders to connect with companies and discuss the latest trends and challenges. This year's summit was no exception, with a focus on long-term partnerships, student-centered approaches, and the need for demonstrable product efficacy.

Krynica Drake, Digital Learning Specialist at Atlanta Public Schools, urged companies to remember that there are students beyond the contract, and to keep their focus student-centered. Dana Bedden, Executive Director and CEO of Village Charter School in New Jersey, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a focus on return on investment in technology.

Ijeoma Johnson, Instructional Technology Coordinator at Newton County Schools in Georgia, suggested that products integrated into instruction are harder to eliminate. This sentiment was shared by Jennifer Hall, Digital Learning Specialist at Atlanta Public Schools, who advised focusing on the task rather than the tool.

At the summit, Terri Webb, Manager III of Instructional Technology at Georgia's DeKalb County School District, urged companies to have a roadmap for district partnerships. Derek Luebbe of HuddleUp Learning appreciated the diversity of profiles at the EdExec Summit, which he said helped build shared understanding.

Federal funding cuts were a hot topic among district leaders, but they expressed an optimistic mood about innovation. Joe Phillips, Chief Information and Technology Officer at Fulton County Schools in Georgia, believes losing funds can lead to more collaboration and innovation.

Brandy Washington, District Special Education Director at Houston ISD, learns about new tech from Education Service Centers and TikTok. Krynica Drake prefers learning about new technology through conferences and talking to other districts.

Terri Webb said vendors often lead with the cost per student, but they need to demonstrate the benefits of their product through meaningful pilot programs. Brandy Washington advised companies not to pigeonhole educators into customer success roles.

Mike Afdahl, Coordinator of Technology Services at Northwest Georgia RESA, emphasized the need for companies to show the efficacy of their products. Keith Osburn noted that many vendors are unaware of organizations that drive data standardization and interoperability in K-13 education, such as the Ed-Fi Alliance and 1EdTech.

Jennifer Williams from Newton County Schools expressed dissatisfaction with being handed over to customer service representatives after a sale. Joe Phillips believes that if a company isn't showing up after the transaction, it's a one-time sale.

In a forward-thinking move, Dana Bedden stressed the importance of trust in business relationships. Terri Webb believes that a great leader is defined when the leader is not in the room, and she encourages her team to lead in the space in which they are given.

The companies that proactively offered solutions to district leader Dana Bedden at the Tech & Learning EdExec Summit immediately after the YouTube blockade for users under 18 were not specified. However, the summit provided a valuable platform for district leaders and companies to engage in meaningful discussions about the future of education technology.

Hearing from Educators Matters: Insights Gleaned from the EdExec Summit Clarification Meeting