When Tech Visits Schools, The Principal Eats First
Who gets the most attention from education-technology investors, as they try to improve the state of K-12 education in the United States? Students rank third -- and the reasons are weirdly reassuring.
A new report from the data team at EdSurge reveals that when it comes to raising money, startups focused on school operations (such as learning-management systems and other administrative tools) fared best from 2010 through 2015. They came away with $736 million of the overall $2.3 billion of venture money invested in K-12 education during that six-year period, or about 32%.
By contrast, teacher needs got about 21%. As for startups making student-centered curriculum products, they attracted just 17% of the available funding. (The rest of the venture pot was spread across a wide group of investments dubbed "other.")
Should we be concerned?
A decade ago, the answer would have been yes. Tech-minded education reformers had big dreams back then of shaking up the classroom by putting laptops or tablets in every child's hands. Traditional teacher-to-student interactions were supposed to give way to a new digital paradise, in which every child's unique learning style could be perfectly addressed by some new, tech-fueled approach.
Today, though, people interested in K-12 education for the long haul have a much more pragmatic understanding of tech's rightful role in schools. Instead of hoping that tech can supplant what teachers do (very tricky!) it's a lot easier to build software that can do a better job of automating the grade book, the tardy note or the syllabus packet.
Such tool-based approaches represent a humble but useful approach for education technology. When venture capitalists invest in such projects, that gets tallied as spending on administration and teacher tools. The net effect, though, is to clear up more time for teachers to connect with students, instead of slogging through paperwork.
A full copy of the EdSurge report is here:
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8 年George, great piece of information. Technology in schools is so important. I had the great privilege to help a low income school district on a Native reservation. The principal was an avid grant writer who went after every low income technology grant he could get. Oddly enough, this was the time when Apple was being toted as the top school computer vendor, but these grants came from Microsoft. As a result, K-12 was well equipped with technology and this was over 14 years ago. Low reading scores were shored up with reading game software that was used first grade and up. Children rotated to the computer for tech time starting in the first grade. The resulting graduation rates were stunning with Native youth going on to 4 year colleges. it literally transformed the community. It is probably one of the best 360 examples of how technology in the classroom can transform low income communities, bring down substance abuse rates and deliver pride and earned dollars back to the Rez.
AI Enhanced Senior Product Leader for Skills and Interoperability
8 年Heartily agree with this!
Educator, Consultant, & Community Builder
8 年I'm wondering what research is driving decisions to invest in certain kinds of products. Why are startups that choose to focus on school operations getting funded? What information leads investors to believe that this type of product is going to be more lucrative?
LECTURER, Armaments/ Ammunition/Explosives at Ministry of National Defence
8 年Powers out, tech on standby, chalk & talk still rules, GOD BLESS