| |
| August 4, 2026 |
| CONNECT WITH ISTE |
| CONNECT WITH ISTE |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| |
| Edtech news for those building the future of edtech
| SIGN UP ⋅ SHARE |
|
|
| |
 |
| (Flavia Morlachetti/Getty Images) |
Edtech developers face practical challenges and market pressures in protecting students' privacy and rights, highlighting the need for investment in rights-respecting technologies and prompting more regulatory efforts, Kruakae Pothong of Digital Futures for Children writes. Designing EdTech with children's rights at the core relies on intentional choices to safeguard students. Successful examples, such as HackShield and Teach Your Monster to Read, use nonprofit models, avoid advertising revenue, and deliberately limit data collection and engagement-maximizing features, Pothong notes.
|
|
|
SmartTake: Schools often struggle with understanding and managing edtech's connection to students' safety, leading to challenges in ensuring their rights and privacy. Edtech companies can help districts by being well-versed, explaining the rules, outlining how your product handles them and sharing ways they can address the ones your product doesn't cover.
|
|
|
|
|
If you want your prospects to find you in 2026 and beyond, you have to optimize for AI. Join our expert panel on August 12th at 2:00 PM EDT to demystify generative engine optimization and future-proof your digital presence. Register now. |
|
|
|
|
|
 
|
Many Generation Z high school graduates feel unprepared for a post-graduation working world that requires communication, problem-solving and adaptability, according to a study by Agency. Employers say they want schools to include a greater emphasis on those skills as well as financial literacy, workplace exposure and more. "To me, a well-prepared Gen Z high school grad has shifted from a completion mindset to a contribution mindset. ... 'What value can I create for someone else — a teammate, a supervisor, a customer?' " Dan Gonzalez of the College Board says.
|
|
|
SmartTake: A few edtech companies offer workforce-focused training on soft skills to help prepare students. Those that don't can help districts by distributing free, branded white papers that explain the importance of these skills and how to teach them and other day-to-day business issues, along with sample scripts for reaching out to local businesses for shadowing or classroom speaking. Show districts you understand students' needs, even if those features aren't part of your program. It helps cement your brand's partnership with them.
|
|
|
AI-based avatars and social robots offer notable educational benefits, such as individualized academic support, encouragement in self-regulation and a less judgmental learning environment, write Louise Starkey and David Moltow of the University of Tasmania in Australia. However, the most effective learning still requires real teacher involvement to foster trust, confidence and genuine care -- qualities difficult to replicate with technology alone, they write.
|
|
|
|
Superintendents across the country are calling for a tech reset in schools, prompted by concerns that both students and staff have developed unhealthy technology habits. Districts are surveying teachers to assess actual screen time and revising policies to ensure devices are used only when educationally appropriate. Changes include putting away devices when not in use, restricting devices from going home unless necessary, and focusing on the quality of tech use.
|
|
|
Tech Corps, a nonprofit that won a Battelle Central Ohio STEM grant, hosted the Student Tech Corps: AI Project Showcase, where high-schoolers presented AI projects designed to address real-world issues with professional, technical and problem-solving skills. The event highlighted the impact of immersive, hands-on experiences in preparing students for technology careers and efforts to cultivate future innovators.
|
|
|
|
New education laws reshaping technology's role in Tennessee schools include restrictions on digital device use in K-5 classrooms, mandates on internet safety policies for all districts and AI training for teachers in grades 6-12. School districts and public charter schools must prioritize student safety, appropriate access and online protections.
|
|
|
| |
 |
| Expo floor at ISTE+ASCD 2026 (Kanoe Namahoe/SmartBrief) |
Evidence-based tools that promote rigor, deepen learning and meet students where they are were the top priorities for educators exploring the wares at this summer's ISTE+ASCD conferences in Orlando. Edtech tools that support this effort include Edmentum Courseware, which offers Digital Promise-certified curricula; BBC News Bites, which promotes media literacy; and Lexia Science of Reading Classroom, which enhances reading instruction. Other notable tools are Share-A-Cart for cost-effective shopping, ClassDojo Websites for streamlined communication and EduverseSTEM for immersive STEM learning experiences.
|
|
|
|
Top stories from last week's newsletter
|
|
|
The EdTech Quality Collaborative shares guidance through a free resource created by the collaborative to assist school leaders in leading multiple aspects of technology innovation within school district communities. The EdTech Quality Indicators Guide is designed to help leaders with technology selection, pilot programs, and procurement processes.
|
|
|
| About ISTE Solutions Network |
|
| 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.
|
|
|
|
| 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.
|
|
|
|
|
| Got this from a friend? Subscribe now and stay in the loop! |
|
 |
|
| |
| Everything has to evolve or else it perishes. |
John Knowles,
writer |
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Copyright © 2026 SmartBrief. All Rights Reserved. A division of Future US LLC. |
| Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036. |
|
|
|
