Alex Inman and Bob Cireddu Get Philosophical

As tech directors in the world of education, we often find ourselves at the crossroads of innovation and tradition. We ask ourselves: Is our ultimate goal simply to enhance teaching methods, or are we here to spark a true revolution in education? Alex Inman and Bob Cireddu , seasoned voices in educational technology, offer us valuable insights into this debate. Alex, with his accidental stumble into EdTech, believes that while technology has the potential to revolutionize education, it's not the technology itself but rather the teachers who wield it that can create transformative experiences for students. He suggests that our focus should be on empowering educators to use technology as a tool to unlock each student's potential.

Bob, on the other hand, is the starry-eyed idealist who envisions a seismic shift—a complete overhaul of the educational landscape through technology. Yet, he acknowledges a hard truth: schools are inherently resistant to change. Despite this, he holds onto the hope that technology, especially AI, could be the key to personalizing learning for every student, making education a more fitting experience for diverse learning styles. Both perspectives lead us to an important realization: perhaps the revolution isn't about upending systems but about fostering individual growth. As tech directors, our mission may not be to chase a grand societal upheaval but to provide the tools that enable educators to ignite countless personal revolutions, one student at a time.

“The purpose of education is to create that individual revolution in an individual student, which I know EdTech and the work that we do can have.” - Alex?Inman

Alex Inman and Bob Cireddu Get Philosophical: What does a revolution look like in education?

Welcome to?Learning Through Technology, a K-12 EdTech podcast brought to you by STS Education. We strive to be the bridge that connects communities of educators so that they can fulfill the promise of learning through technology. Join us every other week as we connect with education leaders who share their deep experiences with the education and technology topics you are grappling with in your own schools and districts. Each interview is designed to bring you tangible ideas you can start using tomorrow.

This special episode has your hosts, Alex and Bob, getting philosophical and riffing on whether it’s possible to have a revolution in education and, if so, what that revolution would look like. Some of the talking points we cover include:

• The importance of data in education
• Revolutionizing education with technology
• Technology’s role in teaching
• The cultural revolution in education
• The need to reward high-quality educators

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Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Meet our Hosts

Alex Inman , Founder of Educational Collaborators, Chief Academic Officer at Pacific OneSource

Alex has worn multiple hats during his career in education, from teacher to technology director and founder of Educational Collaborators. He founded Educational Collaborators as a way to bring the most relevant EdTech Consulting and Professional Development available to schools across the globe. That vision was expanded when he combined forces with Pacific OneSource.

Bob Cireddu , Founder and Managing Partner of EduTech Group

Bob and his team are revolutionizing how we think about technology services within the American K-12 education system. The shared services model he created for IT support is ingenious in that it leverages a team of elite, experienced professionals to service a broad customer base. This results in a pointed and streamlined approach, ultimately driving down costs for districts by sharing talented support staff members. Further, Bob brings years of experience as an IT Director to the table, resulting in expertise in industry trends.

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Why Do You Do What You Do?

Get a piece of paper and a pen out or start a quick notes doc and set a timer for 10 minutes. Consider some or all of these guiding questions and jot down a quick reflection:

1. Your “Why”: What inspired you to work in education in the first place? Was it a particular person, event, or moment?
2. Impact on Students: Think about a time when you made a significant difference in a student’s life. How did it feel, and what did it teach you about your role in education?
3. Embracing Technology: How do you see technology helping you achieve your goals in the education space? What tools have you found most effective in supporting student growth?
4. Revolutionizing Education: Reflect on the idea of creating individual revolutions in your school. How do you approach personalizing learning?
5. Future Aspirations: What are your hopes for the future of education and your role in it? How can you continue to grow and make a difference?

Upcoming Events

• Webinar: Reimagining EdTech: Moving Beyond “Boxes and Wires" - June 11th, 2024 @10am PT. In this insightful webinar, renowned education technology expert Susan M. Bearden, CETL, will dive into the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan (NETP), exploring strategies for leveraging technology as a catalyst for transformative teaching and learning experiences. Register here.
• ISTE: 2024 Conference - June 25th, 2024. We'll be walking around the show floor as attendees this time, see if you can spot us and say hi!
• TETL: 2024 Conference - June 26th, 2024. Come visit us in Texas at table #24!
• GAMEIS: 2024 Conference - July 9th, 2024. Stop by and say hello at booth #102.
• Webinar: Innovative Audio Solutions with AVID - July 30th, 2024 @10am PT. Presented by AVID Products, this webinar will explore how innovative audio solutions can enhance learning experiences for both teachers and students. Register here.

Your thoughts drive our conversations! What topics are on your mind? We value your input – share what matters to you here. Need help implementing what we talked about in this episode in your school? Contact us here.

At STS EDUCATION, we put student outcomes and teacher effectiveness at the center of everything that we do. Our goal is to be the bridge that connects communities of educators so that they can fulfill the promise of learning through technology.