K-12 Technology News

Here you'll find the latest news from the education technology world, from the newest hardware and software releases to policy and funding updates to research reports to school and district tech initiatives. Looking for more in-depth coverage of important topics? Be sure to visit our Features page.


Key Concepts in Designing AI-Based Learning Strategies

A key insight for AI-based learning is that it enables adaptivity, with technology's "ability to meet students where they are, build on their strengths, and grow their knowledge and skills." But the caveat is that adaptivity can sometimes be too specific and limited, and important parts of learning can be left out or insufficiently developed. An important goal is to work "toward AI models that fit the fullness of the visions for learning — and avoid limiting learning to what AI can currently model well."

Smartphones Continue Decline

The already sluggish forecast for smartphones looks to be headed toward a slightly steeper decline this year.

The Role of AI in Assisting Teachers and in Formative Assessments of Students

How can AI be developed to help advance teaching? For beginners, it needs to put teachers front and center, according to a new report from the United States Department of Education.

People on the Move: Prentice, Ogden-Reese, Irwin, Cluver, Anderson, Myrie, Wilson, Kozyra, Yates, Kelsey, Sowin

Recent leadership and advisory roles announced by education and ed tech organizations include a new CEO at Pearson, a new CMO at D2L, a new COO at Centegix, a new board member at United Educators, a new CEO at National Math and Science Initiative, a new CEO at Mentor, and new special education advisory leaders at BlazerWorks.

Report: AI R&D Should Align with ED Recommendations and Focus on Context, Partnership, and Public Policy

As far back as 2010, the National Education Technology Plan (NETP) set a research and development (R&D) challenge for ed tech developers to “create personalized learning systems that continuously improve as they are used.” Now a new report suggests further R&D goals and makes recommendations for AI ed tech developers, keeping in mind a focus on “context sensitivity” for success in educational goals.

Turnitin AI Detector Analyzed 38M Submissions in its First 6 Weeks; Updates Answer Educator Feedback

In the first six weeks of educators using Turnitin’s new AI writing detection feature, the platform processed 38.5 million submissions, finding that 3.5% of those submissions contained more than 80% AI-written text, and just under one-tenth of submissions contained at least 20% AI-written text.

K12 SIX Invites Input for 2023-24 Updates to Essential Cybersecurity Protections Series

Cybersecurity nonprofit K12 Security Information Exchange is inviting K–12 IT and network security practitioners to submit their input and feedback for the upcoming 2023–24 edition of the K12 SIX Essential Cybersecurity Protections Series of guides for public schools’ risk management efforts.

4 'Key Foundations' for AI in Education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. The U.S Department of Education has released guidance for the education sector — including potential benefits, warnings about misuses, and principles for developing guidelines at the district level.

LatinX Ed Tech Summit 'Bridging the Digital Divide' Tackles Sustainable Solutions for Underserved Areas

The Success Through Technology Education (STTE) Foundation will hold its second annual LatinX Ed Tech Summit, “Bridging the Digital Divide,” on June 16, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. It will focus on three key goals to develop digital education solutions for underserved areas, especially rural and LatinX communities.

Annual CoSN Survey Shows Widespread Lack of Professional Learning Support, Budget Restraints Persist

CoSN’s 10th annual State of Ed Tech Leadership report released this week shows some things remain the same — K–12 technology leaders need more resources to keep up with technological innovations in schools — while priorities since the survey began have shifted remarkably.