For the past two years I’ve worked on the advisory board for the Consortium of School Networking (CoSN) report on Driving K-12 Innovation. I also serve as the co-chair of the Emerging Technologies Committee for CoSN. In both roles I’m looking at how educational technology can impact the delivery of curriculum and instruction. The Driving K-12 Innovation project starts by identifying the obstacles for learning in K-12. Then the advisers from around the world examine the accelerators, the ideas, programs, and projects that increase the speed for solving a problem in a classroom. Finally the international team highlights the educational solutions, the tech-enablers, that address the Hurdles and at the same time tap into the Accelerators. 

This past week CoSN released its latest Driving Innovation report on Tech Enablers. The report explores the top five technology tools improving education this year by enabling innovation and facilitating adaptation during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the international advisory board of edtech experts, the most important Tech Enablers for schools to leverage in 2020 in order to surmount Hurdles and embrace Accelerators advancing the digital transformation are: Digital Collaboration Platforms; Tools for Privacy & Safety Online; Analytics & Adaptive Technologies; Cloud Infrastructure; and Mobile Devices.

“In today’s COVID-19 world, the importance of effective virtual learning environments has significantly increased. CoSN’s Tech Enablers report will help school systems determine the technology advancements that are critical for teaching and learning in 2020,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “The two-part Driving K-12 Innovation series provides educators with a holistic view of the current edtech landscape and allows them to lead technological change in their districts and beyond.”

According to the CoSN site: The report delves into two Tech Enablers that are particularly salient given the COVID-19 pandemic-fueled transition to virtual learning and provides related anecdotes from school leaders across the country:

• Digital Collaboration Platforms: Digital collaboration platforms can enable a broader range of learning opportunities on both the global and local level, help students develop digital and career-relevant skills, and support professional development and learning communities. To leverage this Tech Enabler, educators and school systems must prioritize safety and privacy, develop stakeholder competency, and address issues of equity and access.
• Tools for Privacy & Safety Online: Tools for privacy & safety online, such as privacy settings in apps, administrative/parental controls, filters and education/support resources, can help school systems, educators and students protect themselves in digital spaces. To effectively leverage this Tech Enabler, educators should utilize communities and resources, craft relevant policies and processes, and build stakeholder understanding and capability.

CoSN issued the 2020 Hurdles + Accelerators report in March and will also be releasing a Toolkit to help its members navigate the interconnected Hurdles-Accelerators-Tech Enablers ecosystem. Last year I developed a workshop with Susan Bearden from CoSN to share the Toolkit at the ISTE Conference. It looks like this year that won’t happen. However, the toolkit is just another excellent reason for all educational technology leaders to consider joining CoSN. 

You can learn more about the Driving K-12 Innovation initiative at cosn.org/k12innovation.