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| February 3, 2026 |
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| Edtech news for those building the future of Edtech
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| (Francesco Carta Fotografo/Getty Images) |
Common Sense Education will stop updating its edtech reviews starting this month and is recommending users turn to the EdTech Index from ISTE+ASCD instead. The EdTech Index is a searchable database of education tools that helps educators compare resources through each product's validation badges across five quality indicators: safe, evidence-based, inclusive, usable and interoperable. |
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Africa's EdTech Mondays initiative by the Mastercard Foundation has evolved from informal discussions with a few edtech entrepreneurs to a significant platform that is a neutral, inclusive space for dialogue, real-life experiences and challenges that reaches millions and influences policy. Personal stories from parents, teachers, innovators and learners make abstract policy issues tangible and relatable, and these humanized stories have shifted mindsets and built momentum for edtech reform in a way that policy documents alone cannot, writes Suraj Shah, the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning's head of Strategic Partnerships & Thought Leadership.
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People wouldn't learn to swim by reading a book about water; similarly, they can't truly understand finances and how to manage risk via books, Isaac Lamptey of edtech company Piggy Investors writes. Lamptey recommends that schools adopt live-state logic and other real-time financial education tools for practical experience and up-to-date information so "they see the results of their choices right away, in a safe place, before making mistakes that cost them real money later."
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| (Unaihuiziphotography/Getty Images) |
Teachers are a critical element to the successful integration of AI into instruction and learning, according to Google's Ben Gomes. "It's a belief backed by science, to a large extent, that people are fundamental in the learning process," says Gomes, who co-leads Google's education initiatives. He asserts that technology can empower learning, but it is teachers who provide the essential guidance, context and motivation needed for deep understanding.
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AI is increasingly being integrated into special education in the US to address resource challenges, writes University of Iowa associate professor Seth King. While AI tools offer potential benefits, such as reducing administrative tasks, supporting training and aiding assessments, they also raise significant ethical and practical concerns. Issues include the risk of machine bias, privacy violations, and uncertainty about compliance with federal laws designed to protect students with disabilities. King writes that as schools experiment with AI to meet the needs of over 7 million children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the balance between innovation and safeguarding students' rights remains a central concern.
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Top stories from last week's newsletter
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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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| Because life is full of the dark and the light. You gotta look for the light. |
Catherine O'Hara,
actor, comedian
1954-2026 |
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