How do you stay up-to-date as an EdTech leader?

Be selective when it comes to sources. Make sure they are relevant, trusted and quality. Try to establish if they have partnerships with the tools they are using and what motives they have for producing the resource. EdTech is a profitable industry so make sure you are being mindful of who is showcasing what and why. Keep the list small if it's too much, you won't be able to process all the information.

Staying up-to-date with the latest educational tools is essential for ensuring our institution remains at the forefront of innovation. To achieve this, I employ a multifaceted approach. Firstly, I actively engage in professional networks and attend educational conferences, where I connect with peers and experts in the field to exchange insights and discover emerging tools. Secondly, I allocate time for continuous learning, regularly reading education technology publications and research reports. Additionally, I encourage collaboration among our educators, fostering a culture of experimentation and feedback, which keeps us informed about tools that work best in our specific context.

As an educator, I highly value word-of-mouth recommended products and platforms. Google Classroom, EdPuzzle, and Kahoot we're all recommended to me, and they serve me and my classroom well.

In order to keep updated with the latest EdTech, I try to attend most of the conferences which are done annually like: Innoxera, GESS, EdTech…etc. I regularly receive emails with workshops, zoom meetings from all EdTech platforms. Attending these conferences, workshops and even zoom meetings help me to stay in touch with the latest in EdTech and AI. I usually visit Google Bard, POE, PRESSTO….. and train myself on using them in my daily routine and assignments. I even share them with my staff members and teachers and train them to be acquainted with AI. As our students will inevitably use them whether we like it or not, so better guide them to use it efficiently and positively.

This is AI powered? Then technically it writes itself. To add to the AI format, I want to include a name like Marshall McLuhan, and words like media literacy: newer isn't always better if we don't actually know how to use tools. True education is subversive.

Some EdTech companies have built large communities of followers who contribute valuable content for other users (Schoology is an example of this). The tips and tricks are coming from practitioners who are using the tool as opposed to marketing content from the company. This allows others to engage, ask questions and get some real world feedback.

In a rapidly evolving landscape where technology continues to reshape education, staying at the forefront of EdTech requires more than just keeping an eye on trends; it demands active engagement within a dynamic community. Imagine being seamlessly connected to a tapestry of innovation, where educators, leaders, and experts converge to exchange ideas that spark transformation. This virtual realm thrives through forums that become crucibles of collective insight, groups that foster camaraderie united by a common passion, and chats that turn screens into windows to profound dialogues.

Facebook is such a great tool. While some may feel it's starting to become dated, I have found more and more communities that are incredibly helpful and supportive!

When joining a network, try to select networks that match your tools and your context. Local communities will often yield better results as you are working on the same curriculum, the same privacy requirements, and sometimes even the same access to technology. While looking across the world to see what others are doing is a great way to imagine possibilities, never forget your local realities.

EdTech leaders need to be selective in choosing online communities and networks. It is very easy for many people to present themselves as experts on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. This is something we often see daily with social media influencers. Do your research on organizations and individuals before associating yourself with them. There are many well-established online communities and networks, and it may be best to connect with those that are within your geographic reach and represent those you serve as a leader. You can then widen your network based on your experience connecting with others with shared interests in the field.

Conferences and workshops can be great, be mindful of vendors and what they are trying to sell. EdTech is a big and competitive industry and not all companies produce tools made by educators. Conferences can also be costly so think about who will pay the fees, travel and accommodation expenses. Do your homework to make sure the money is well spent.

Conferences and workshops are great, but there's nothing like visiting educators, administrators, and students in their native habitats -- school and district buildings. It gives you a good grounding in the challenges, stresses, and opportunities that may not get mentioned at official gatherings and conferences.

Be selective in the conferences and workshops you plan to attend. They can be very costly and some may not offer many sessions that are aligned with your interest or need. Before you register for a conference or a workshop, closely examine the purpose and outcomes, and then align these with your personal and professional goals. It is also essential to be informed about the intended target audience of a conference or workshop. Look for conferences that offer vendor sessions or opportunities to engage with vendors for a demonstration or a one-on-one discussion. Additionally, seek conference sessions that are delivered by a vendor and end-user so that you can gain insight into the practical application and usability of the product or service.

Attending conferences and workshops are great ways to get updated on new technology offerings, quick training on tips and tricks, and a look at innovative ways others are using tech tools. As most are now provided online, they are very convenient, and usually a great bargain. Offering to do a presentation for the event is a great way to get free admission and a new entry on your resume!

Experimentation is excellent. I always try to see what I can make the EdTech do that perhaps it wasn't explicitly designed to do, and test its adaptability. However, be mindful of your students. Trying a new app every few weeks can be tiresome and even frustrating for students. If you are introducing something new, it should do something completely new and not similar to something you have already established in your classroom. Also, be mindful of student information and privacy.

This is a necessary approach. Getting to know the tools and even the supporting research leading to it will ground your teaching, and will also allow you to filter the tools that are best suited to your context. Not all tools work everywhere in the same way, some do not apply at all. The first step to making an informed decision is then the knowledge, and the experimentation on-site. It is also useful when deciding what NOT to use, and to prevent your community from being dragged into the "big new thing". As outsiders will try to push you to adopt new tech, you will be able to make a thoughtful and informed case for or against it.

This is one of the most important ways to stay updated - play with new stuff and sign up for beta trials. You'll get access to early release features and be able to shape the development of tech. This also allows you to try before you buy - don't forget: most companies allow you to get an edu discount so check that out (or ask the question if it's not visible - if you don't ask, you don't get!)

Turn the experimentation process into a professional development showcase. Share success stories, challenges faced, and lessons learned with colleagues. Consider hosting workshops or webinars to disseminate knowledge and encourage collaborative exploration of EdTech tools within the learning community.

One of the great challenges with EdTech is the plethora of new LMS and other EdTech platforms and tools that can enhance teaching and learning, but what I have found is that educational leaders can be so overwhelmed with “selection bias”…selection bias is that feeling that because you have the knowledge and experience of using a particular company’s EdTech tool or platform it becomes your go to platform even though it may not be the best fit for the teaching and learning process. This selection bias can inhibit the desire to experiment with new technologies that may be a better fit in terms of your individual or organizational teaching and learning objectives, user experience or the type of game experience the tool offers. Experiment…

Innovate and embrace your own educational journey in the EdTech field by engaging in an activity that will challenge or force you to learn or enhance a skill required for the field. E.g. create a personalized learning app. Engaging in a hands-on project like this that encompasses several stages of the product development workflow, will allow you to acquire/enhance valuable skills and gain practical insights into the intersection of technology and education.

Professional certification programs such as Coursera, Google for Education, and Microsoft Education provide opportunities to not only upskill in a particular area but also experience what a well-crafted learning experience can be like. Online education has come a long way in providing personalized feedback, motivating continual growth, and making the learner feel part of a larger community.

There are loads of great certifications and training courses for EdTech tools. Examples like Canva Design School, Google Educator Certifications and Canopy's Workspace Skills are well worth investing in - and they give you tips and tricks to make the best out of tools

There are several programs that are offered by larger EdTech companies that provide PD, training and other benefits. They often require a great deal of time for certification to be achieved and sometimes have a cost associated with them. Always keep in mind the purpose of pursuing these PDs and certifications an ensure it fits in the larger goals you have for yourself.

Just keep learning by seeking professional learning and trying new tools. As educators, we are used to taking PD, but in educational technology, the landscape is always changing, which creates many opportunities to expand your experience and expertise.

I learn a lot when I can find the right volunteer opportunity. As a volunteer, I've had a chance to tutor adults preparing for U.S. citizenship tests and help administer reading assessments in a kindergarten dual language classroom. Visiting a place or person is great. Building a long-term relationship and working toward a goal gives you even deeper learning. It takes time and coordination so it's not always possible. But it's something to strive for.

At the end of the day, no matter how many courses and workshops we attend, the most important skill to develop as an educator is the ability to make ourselves vulnerable enough to learn from our students while teaching them.