With a new school year in full swing, educators find themselves in a bind. They want to implement innovative educational technology tools in the classroom, but they don't necessarily have the time to research and evaluate solutions before purchasing them and implementing them in the classroom.
Enter the concept of curated online marketplaces: a potential game-changer in the edtech landscape. These platforms aim to streamline the discovery and evaluation process, putting efficient search capabilities at the fingertips of educators.
To explore this further, EdSurge spoke with Shannie YeohSenior Manager, edtech Partnerships, Global Public Sector, in <a target="_blank" href="https://aws.amazon.com” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener nofollow”>amazon Web Services (AWS). After leading business strategy transformation efforts for systems integrators, Yeoh joined AWS two years ago and now manages go-to-market strategies for edtech partners, helping them drive both growth and revenue. Yeoh shares his enthusiasm for allowing educators easy access to the tools they need to simplify their daily tasks while creating a stimulating learning environment.
EdSurge: What challenges do you think educators face when researching, evaluating, and acquiring the right educational technology tools?
Yeah: Finding the right educational technology tools, especially in today's environment, is never easy. TO <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instructure.com/resources/research-reports/edtech-top-40-look-k-12-edtech-engagement-during-2023-24-school-year” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener nofollow”>recent study of LearnPlatform by Instructure found that school districts access an average of 2,739 different technology tools annually. In addition to that, a MDR The study also shows that teachers spend an average of seven hours per week simply searching for educational resources to use in classrooms!
There are three main challenges we hear from educators today. one is the rapid pace of innovation in this space. Security and privacy concerns They are also a major obstacle, as the tools must protect student data and comply with relevant regulations. So obviously the state budget It is always one of the main concerns. It is also very important to find high-quality, cost-effective solutions that demonstrate clear evidence of their impact.
How are online marketplaces changing the way educators can discover and access educational technology resources?
In the past, educators often had to rely on word of mouth, conferences, and their own extensive research to learn even about new educational technology tools; It was a very dispersed and fragmented process. But now, with centralized online marketplaces, educators can search and explore a vast catalog of curated and vetted resources in one place.
On top of that, the ability for educators to read reviews and compare different options side by side has been incredibly valuable. It allows them to make much more informed decisions about what will work best for their students. The fact that many of these platforms, including the <a target="_blank" href="https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener nofollow”>AWS MarketplaceAlso handling procurement and implementation makes the entire process much easier.
What resources are available to help educators stay informed about emerging trends in educational technology and how can those educators maximize their use?
First, I recommend taking advantage of the information and knowledge available through online communities and professional organizations such as SOUGHT and cosn. At AWS we have worked closely with CoSN and the Big City School Board develop generative ai readiness checklists. For higher education institutions, we have partnered with EDUCAUSE to create a similar checklist specific to colleges and universities.
I also encourage educators to use the Educational technology Index in various ways. Teachers can consult the Index before requesting products through the district approval process to identify trusted third-party validators. A district-level educational technology specialist can use the “My List” feature to compare existing tools with those requested by teachers that offer similar functionality, providing side-by-side comparisons of critical educational technology information.
At the end of the day, staying informed and engaged with the technological landscape is vital, but it's not just about staying up to date. It's about embracing these innovations and figuring out how to leverage them to drive meaningful, transformative change in education. I think that's where all the real impact lies.
What emerging technologies or trends do you think have the greatest potential to transform educational technology over the next five years?
I think the first would be personalized learning powered by generative ai. The ability to leverage ai-based recommendations and seamless integrations with classroom management systems will allow us to create a truly personalized experience.
I am also very optimistic about the continued evolution of data-driven decision makingempowering educators to make much more informed and evidence-based decisions about the tools and approaches they use.
I'm also excited about the continuous advancement of immersive technologies such as augmented and virtual realities. These platforms have become more accessible and easier to use, and I believe the potential for creating a truly engaging, contextualized educational experience will skyrocket. Imagine being able to explore the surface of Mars or witness historical events firsthand! That level of interactivity and depth of learning is unparalleled.
I think what underpins all of this is the increasing emphasis on accessibility, equity and inclusion in educational technology. I think we will see a much stronger focus on designing products and platforms that meet the needs of all students regardless of their training and ability. Accessibility can no longer be an afterthought; it has to be a central design principle.
How does AWS gather information about the impact of edtech tools and trends on the education sector, and how does that influence its approach to supporting the edtech industry?
We place a strong emphasis on measuring the real-world impact of the educational technology tools and solutions available on our platforms. Areas such as chronic absenteeism, staff shortages and mental health are the three key issues we have heard about, and not just from our own customer base.
We also collaborate extensively with a wide range of industry partners to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the technology landscape. We regularly host CEO roundtables and community forums where we can learn directly from educational leaders and industry stakeholders about the challenges they face and emerging trends they are seeing.
Groups like HolonIQ provide us with invaluable market research and data that we use to inform our decisions. This comprehensive impact data is then fed directly back into future edtech offerings, allowing us to identify the most effective and transformative technology solutions and double down on what works or fix what doesn't, truly filling the gaps in this market. Our goal is to continually evolve and expand our educational technology ecosystem to ensure educators have access to the cutting-edge resources they need to drive student success.
