Digital Education
The Digital Education blog covered personalized learning, artificial intelligence, adaptive testing, digital curricula, data privacy, future of work, and all things technology. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: classroom technology, personalized learning, future of work, and digital learning.
Federal
Congressional Pressure on Big Tech: 4 Takeaways for K-12 Leaders
Congress grilled the CEOs of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google about "pandemic profiteering," anti-competitive practices, and the flow of misinformation about COVID-19.
Federal
Feds Give $180 Million in E-Learning Grants While DeVos Pushes In-Person Instruction
States will develop new online programs and offer professional development for online teaching with grants from the Department of Education.
Privacy & Security
N.Y. Lawmakers Voted to Ban Facial Recognition in Schools. One Superintendent Isn't Pleased.
New York state lawmakers voted Wednesday to ban facial recognition technology from the state's schools until at least July 2022.
Education
Congress Heightens Emphasis on K-12 Cybersecurity During COVID-19
Congress introduced two new bills, the PROTECT Act and the National Cyber Director Act, to strengthen cybersecurity measures across the nation, including for schools.
Classroom Technology
Pre-Course Prep for Online Learning Yields Few Benefits, Study Finds
Preparing students for online coursework by giving them an up-front introduction to the relevance of those virtual studies pays few dividends, a new study finds.
Classroom Technology
A Third of K-12 Students Aren't Adequately Connected for Remote Learning, Report Says
Between 15 and 16 million students and more than 300,000 teachers live in a household that lacks either Internet access, a digital device, or both, the report says.
Privacy & Security
Facial Recognition Tech in Schools Prompts Lawsuit, Renewed Racial Bias Concerns
The New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the state education department's decision to approve the Lockport school district's facial recognition system.
Classroom Technology
Only One in Five Schools Offered 'Rigorous' Remote Learning, Study Says
The report found that only 12 percent of high-poverty districts' remote learning plans included content from an online learning platform and requirements for participation.
Classroom Technology
What to Do for Families With Internet Access Too Slow for Remote Learning
The urgency to resolve these issues is high as many schools appear likely to continue remote learning for at least some students next school year.
Equity & Diversity
College Board Reverses Course, Scraps Online Option for SAT Exams
The College Board will not offer an at-home, digital version of its SAT college entrance exam this fall, reversing an earlier plan after critics raised concerns about internet access.
Families & the Community
Schools Find Creative Ways to Update Contact Info for Missing Students
To do a better job tracking students whereabouts, some schools now plan to request contact information updates more regularly and offer tutorials for parents to make updates virtually.
Personalized Learning
Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education: Unintended Consequences Lurk, Report Warns
Often touted as the next great innovation in ed tech, artificial intelligence could also have negative unintended consequences for schools if district officials don't prepare correctly.
Equity & Diversity
Why Helping Families Access the Internet Is So Challenging
Internet access remains out of reach for millions of homes across America, but federal officials don't agree on the scale of the problem.
IT Infrastructure & Management
How Statewide LMS Options Could Help Schools Strengthen Remote Learning
Several states already offer a state-sanctioned LMS option to their schools, with some encouraging results in their efforts to cut costs and improve technical capabilities.