Preparing for FY25: Understanding Technology for Student Learning

Jesse Carnahan, CEO, Lynx Education

As we look to the upcoming school year and the challenges that lie ahead, it is crucial that district and community leaders remain diligent in supporting schools’ needs regarding technology. In our travels throughout the country and in conversations with Alaskan educational professionals, we are seeing some concerning trends. Here are some of the standout issues we believe should be top of mind for educational leaders in Alaska.

1-to-1 is not enough – Schools need a vision

For years, there was a strong push across the state to bridge the digital divide and ensure every student had access to technology and high-speed internet. These efforts were catapulted forward with COVID. 

Of course, there are still significant issues, but what has become more concerning is there seems to be a general lack of vision with what to do next regarding the effective use of technology in schools. Seemingly gone are the days of professional development and specialized educational technology positions to help teachers. 

Educators need supports that help them leverage technology in ways that engage students and teach with fidelity. Without those supports, teachers often use the devices in the classroom ineffectively, making them simply educational toys or passive tools, ultimately missing opportunities to actively engage students in deeper thinking and creative learning.

ESSER is gone – Districts need a technology strategy

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) federal funding helped schools bridge the aforementioned digital divide, by helping spur 1-to-1 student devices and increased internet access. However, that infusion of income to districts is gone, and now there exists a fiscal cliff that districts must contend with if they intend to maintain high-quality 1-to-1 programs for students. 

Every student having access to a quality device is expensive. Without a meaningful educational strategy that includes technology, districts either assume they can keep treading water by maintaining aging devices or decide to purchase low-end, inexpensive and educationally limiting devices. In either case, students pay the price.

Districts must consider a strong technology replacement strategy – one that prioritizes district goals and student learning opportunities. It requires hard work and creative thinking to create a sustainable plan, but this is a topic that cannot be ignored.

AI remains a concern – Educators need support

In many of our conversations, it seems that educators are becoming more used to the advent of AI. However, teachers and schools still face significant challenges in addressing the utilization of these new tools. 

With any new technology, there are differing levels of adoption and adaptation, but one thing is clear – educators need support in terms of policy, professional resources, and guided conversations to help them adapt and better respond to student needs.

Next Steps

These are significant technology issues being faced by educators across the state and the country. It is important for district and community leaders to take these issues seriously and cultivate meaningful, appropriate, and authentic opportunities for student learning.

Be sure to include your district technology leadership in conversations around strategic goals and learn about your district’s current technology plan!

For free consultation in any of these areas, reach out to Lynx. As an AASB partner, we are here to support you in navigating these challenges and making informed decisions that best serve your students and district.  Email | Lynx Education website