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| June 30, 2026 |
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| Edtech news for those building the future of edtech
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| (SmartBrief editorial concept illustrated by Gemini AI) |
While many people on the "techlash" bandwagon believe all education technology should be banned in schools, research does not support such extremes, ISTE CEO Richard Culatta noted at ISTELive 2026, emphasizing the need for a more balanced approach. He highlighted the importance of quality over quantity in tech use and stressed the need to rebuild trust with parents and communities.
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SmartTake: "We should not use technology everywhere, all the time in schools -- the research supports that; ISTE supports that, right? But limiting technology based on time is also not supported by research, and it's harmful for kids. Should we have limits? Yes, we should, but it should be limits based on quality, not based on the clock."
--Richard Culatta, CEO, ISTE
SmartBrief education editors at the ISTELive 26 keynote address, including Kanoe Namahoe, saw educators shifting the conversation from counting minutes on devices to the quality and purpose of digital engagement in classrooms. ISTE CEO Richard Culatta argued that the true measure should be the value technology brings to curiosity, creativity and exploration, not just screen exposure. Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Jose Dotres highlighted efforts to prepare students to be AI-ready, viewing AI as a means to foster collaboration, resilience, and adaptability. Google's Chris Phillips positioned AI as a resource that empowers both educators and learners to achieve more meaningful outcomes. Brandie Wright, an ISTE coach, underscored the transformative power of student curiosity in building connections. Leadership expert Heather McGowan concluded that community and genuine relationships remain fundamental, even as AI becomes more integrated into learning environments.
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AI has brought education to a critical inflection point. We are no longer just reacting to new technology; we are actively challenging traditional models of teaching, reimagining assessment, and rethinking teacher training. Download the Ebook Now
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In the last five years, cyberattacks have increasingly targeted educational technology vendors rather than individual schools, allowing attackers to compromise learning management systems and cloud-based platforms at thousands of institutions all at once. Notable incidents, such as the attack on Instructure's Canvas and breaches of PowerSchool, underscore the sector's vulnerability due to limited cybersecurity resources, the high value of educational data and the degree of operational disruption and data exposure at risk.
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| 6-foot-2-inch Ameca robot purchased by Altus Charter School chain in San Diego. (Voice of San Diego/Instagram) |
Altus Schools in San Diego has invested $500,000 in two, 6-foot-2-inch AI-powered humanoid robots as part of a pilot program. So far, students are interacting with the robots via historical role play and academic support. Although Altus officials are optimistic about the potential benefits for teaching and learning, researchers remain skeptical about the effectiveness and safety of AI in classrooms, including technical issues and the appropriateness of using robots for mental health support.
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Microsoft's Matt Jubelirer has observed rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in education and notes five trends, including AI literacy that goes beyond prompt engineering, recognition of times AI shouldn't be used and new opportunities that AI is creating. Jublelirer says educators also are increasingly tailoring tools and approaches to individual student needs, such as Reading Progress for oral reading practice or Copilot's study feature, which engages students with targeted questions, and he notes that AI has created a trust issue between teachers and students.
-- Matt Jubelirer, general manager of Education Marketing, Microsoft |
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At ISTE + ASCD? Join us TODAY at 10:30 a.m. in W205BC to explore equitable co-design strategies that strengthen classroom practice and product design. Explore actionable steps to foster collaboration that advances equity, innovation, and improved student outcomes.
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The SDG Warriors podcast, discussed at ISTELive 26, demonstrates how student-led podcasts can build career-ready skills. Student lead Simar Mohanty and educator Kamal Preet highlighted the challenges of coordinating across time zones and managing a volunteer team, which mirror workplace scenarios. The project uses tools like World Time Buddy and Google Sheets to enhance efficiency and equity, teaching students valuable lessons in leadership and project management.
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| (SimpleImages/Getty Images) |
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ISTE and GreatSchools.org have introduced a "safe and purposeful" technology use pledge to address concerns about excessive technology use in schools. The pledge encourages schools to create clear tech policies, train educators, purchase safe technology, teach digital citizenship, and engage families. Schools that participate can earn a "safe and committed" technology badge at three levels. This initiative aims to reassure parents that technology is being used to enhance student learning rather than contribute to mindless screen time.
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Top stories from last week's newsletter
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| Latest Products to Earn ISTE Seal |
Congratulations to the newest ISTE Seal holders, Ztudia and innovatiQ! The ISTE Seal provides third-party validation of an edtech product's alignment with digital pedagogy, technological usability, and the ISTE Standards. To learn more about the Seal and how these tools support student learning and educator development, visit the ISTE Seal webpage. |
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| About ISTE Solutions Network |
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| The Solutions Network a member-based community that aims to 1) connect innovative solution providers to one another to learn, explore, and share best practices, 2) engage with the ISTE/ASCD member community to gather feedback and increase the impact of high-quality learning solutions, 3) engage in thought leadership conversations and 4) provide benefits for the annual ASCD + ISTE conference, where approximately 16,000 educators, decision-makers, and vendors convene. This community is made up of edtech companies of various sizes that are interested in engaging with each other and with ISTE to discuss Edtech’s role in teaching and learning, industry trends, and solve common challenges. Members of this network can benefit from connecting with industry experts and thought leaders, as well as from gaining key buyer information and insights.
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| Product announcements appearing in SmartBrief are paid advertisements and do not reflect actual ASCD + ISTE endorsements. The news reported in SmartBrief does not necessarily reflect the official position of ASCD + ISTE.
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