Navigating the EdTech Landscape: Building Genuine Collaboration and Valuing Educators in the Age of AI

"The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change." - Carl Rogers

These words from Carl Rogers, a pioneer in humanistic psychology, resonate deeply as I embark on a new chapter in my AIxPBL journey – a journey into the exciting, and sometimes treacherous, world of EdTech. Like many educators, my experience with educational technology has been a mixed bag. I've witnessed firsthand the transformative potential of EdTech, encountering individuals and organisations genuinely dedicated to collaborating with teachers and leveraging technology to enhance learning.

However, my path has also been marked by disillusionment and frustration. I've been "burned" by exploitative practices, pouring hundreds of dollars and countless hours into projects that ultimately devalued my expertise and failed to deliver on their grand promises. I've encountered EdTech "entrepreneurs" who were "full of grand plans to 'scale' and 'disrupt' the education system". But when the conversation turned to fair compensation for my time and knowledge, "a noticeable chill entered the air". These encounters left a "bitter taste", highlighting a troubling trend in EdTech – devaluing educators and their expertise. The assumption that teachers should willingly donate their time and knowledge while others profit is deeply problematic and unsustainable.

Despite these setbacks, I remain optimistic about the future of EdTech. The positive collaborations I've experienced, marked by genuine respect for teachers and a commitment to co-creation, have fueled my belief in the power of technology to transform learning. These collaborations "have been enriching", resulting in "innovative tools and resources that truly benefit teachers and students". They've reminded me that "meaningful change in education requires listening to and learning from those on the front lines".

Inspired by these positive experiences and driven by a deep passion for project-based learning (PBL), I'm thrilled to announce a new initiative: the development of AI-powered PBL bots and agents. Our team is building sophisticated agents capable of reading and analysing student data, incorporating human input from educators, aligning with school values, and formulating comprehensive academic and holistic profiles.

These intelligent agents will then be used to design custom-made curriculum projects and portfolios that seamlessly integrate multiple subjects and cater to individual student needs and interests.

This article explores the critical importance of fostering genuine collaboration and valuing educators' expertise in the EdTech sphere, particularly as we navigate the increasing presence of AI in our classrooms and learning environments. It's a journey I'm embarking on with both optimism and a healthy dose of scepticism, informed by my own experiences and a deep commitment to building a more Sustainable EdTech ecosystem that truly serves the needs of teachers and students.

The Two Faces of EdTech: Collaboration vs. Exploitation

The EdTech landscape, much like the broader tech industry, presents a duality. On one side, we find inspiring examples of companies and organisations genuinely dedicated to collaborating with educators. They understand that meaningful change in education requires listening to and learning from those on the front lines. These organisations invest time and resources in building relationships with teachers, actively seeking their feedback and co-creating solutions that address real-world challenges faced in educational settings.

Genuine collaboration in EdTech necessitates a shift in mindset. It requires EdTech companies to move beyond a product-centric approach and embrace a user-centric one. This means prioritising the needs and experiences of educators and students throughout the design and development process. It also involves fostering open communication channels and creating opportunities for meaningful feedback and iteration. When EdTech companies genuinely listen to and value the expertise of educators, they are more likely to create tools and resources that are relevant, effective, and impactful. For example, imagine an EdTech company developing a new platform for formative assessment. Instead of simply designing the platform based on their own assumptions about what teachers and students need, they could actively involve educators in the design process, conducting user research, gathering feedback on prototypes, and iterating based on teacher input. This collaborative approach would likely result in a more user-friendly platform, aligned with classroom practices, and ultimately more effective in supporting student learning.

Unfortunately, there's a darker side to the EdTech story, as I've experienced firsthand. Some companies approach educators with a sense of entitlement, seeking to leverage their expertise and connections without offering fair compensation or genuine partnership. They want my advice on curriculum development, my insights on teacher needs, my connections to school districts, reflecting on these encounters. These organisations often view teachers as a means to an end – a source of free labour and marketing opportunities. They may solicit educators' input on curriculum development, teacher needs, or connections to school districts, all under the guise of collaboration. Yet, when the conversation shifts to compensating teachers for their time and expertise, these companies often hesitate, revealing their underlying disregard for the value that educators bring to the table. They're offended by the very suggestion that my knowledge and experience have value.

This exploitative approach to EdTech has detrimental consequences. It devalues the expertise and experience of educators, treating them as expendable resources rather than valued partners. Such practices erode trust between educators and EdTech companies, hindering the development of truly effective and impactful educational technologies. Furthermore, this approach can perpetuate existing inequalities in education, as teachers in under-resourced schools may be more vulnerable to exploitation due to limited access to professional development opportunities and funding for technology. For example, an EdTech company might offer a "free" pilot program to schools in exchange for teacher feedback and data. However, the hidden cost of this "free" program could be the significant amount of time and effort teachers invest in implementing and evaluating the technology, without receiving any compensation or support. This burden disproportionately affects teachers in under-resourced schools who may already be stretched thin and lacking the necessary resources to effectively integrate new technologies.

Charting a Path Forward: Collaboration, Respect, and Ethical AI

Moving forward, we must learn from both the positive and negative experiences in the EdTech landscape. Recognising the difference between genuine collaboration and veiled exploitation". We must be confident in valuing our expertise and demanding fair compensation for our time and knowledge.

Developing a critical eye towards EdTech initiatives is essential for educators. This involves carefully evaluating the motivations and practices of EdTech companies, examining their track record of collaboration with educators, and scrutinising their commitment to ethical principles. Educators can also benefit from connecting with professional networks and communities to share experiences, insights, and resources related to EdTech. By working together and advocating for their own professional development and fair compensation, educators can play a key role in shaping a more equitable and ethical EdTech landscape. For example, teachers could form professional learning communities (PLCs) focused on evaluating and implementing EdTech tools. These PLCs could provide a space for educators to share their experiences with different EdTech products, discuss ethical considerations, and develop best practices for integrating technology into their classrooms. By collectively evaluating EdTech initiatives, educators can leverage their collective wisdom and bargaining power to advocate for more ethical and collaborative partnerships with EdTech companies.

Simultaneously, we need to amplify the voices of those who are doing EdTech right. Let's celebrate the organisations and individuals who are prioritising teacher support, student well-being, and ethical practices. By sharing their stories and highlighting their successes, we can cultivate a more positive and sustainable EdTech ecosystem.

When I think of EdTech leaders who prioritize collaboration and respect for educators, names like Ryan Tannenbaum , Al Kingsley , Alfonso Mendoza Jr., M.Ed. , James Kaye , Andrew Wright , and Stuart Drexler r immediately come to mind. These individuals are actively building bridges between the tech industry and the educational world, seeking ways to empower teachers and drive positive change in education through genuine partnership

The integration of AI into education presents both exciting opportunities and potential challenges. We must approach this new frontier with the lessons learned from the past. We need to ensure that the development and implementation of AI in education is guided by ethical principles, prioritises teacher voices, and ultimately serves the best interests of students.

Building a Future of Learning Centred on Collaboration and Respect

My own journey with AIxPBL is becoming increasingly intertwined with the world of AI in education. As time goes by, the business is growing from an education support consultancy to a combination of education support, and effective use of technology. I'm enthusiastic about exploring the potential of AI to improve learning experiences, support teachers, and create more equitable educational opportunities. However, I'm also committed to learning from the past and building a future where collaboration, respect, and ethical considerations are at the forefront.

The future of EdTech, and indeed the future of learning itself, holds immense promise. But this promise can only be fulfilled if we work together to ensure that it's a future that truly benefits all stakeholders, especially the teachers and students at its heart. By embracing genuine collaboration, valuing educators' expertise, and upholding ethical principles, we can harness the power of EdTech and AI to create a more engaging, equitable, and empowering learning experience for all.

Phil