Where education is headed: My top takeaways from the ASU+GSV Summit

I am a mom and a community member.  I see systems and design a bit differently.  I have never wanted anything more than to ensure my kids have a solid footing with a good education, strong values, and opportunities for a bright future.  I want it so much that I broke away from the family tradition of contractors and architects to concentrate my career on ensuring we – Arizona – create a healthy vibrant state for our kids and families.

One way to ensure we meet the future prepared is to understand the emerging options available to us – and that is EdTech.  The ASU +GSV conference covered the continuum from Cradle to Gray in education.  This sector is not just considering one sector of learner – it is opening the doors for ALL learners.  In other words, everyone in Arizona will be introduced to a component considered, talked about, thought about or disagreed over from this Summit.  If you have kids, volunteer, learning a new language, are considering career advancement, and are considering re-skilling or upskilling in any field – you will run into EdTech.

The future is here and this convening will help shape the use and policy around EdTech to ensure we create a bright future for Arizona.

Now in its 14th year, the ASU+GSV Summit, took place in San Diego, from April 14-17. The Summit, a collaboration between Global Silicon Valley (GSV) and Arizona State University (ASU), focuses on the objective of all people having access to the future. With this focus, 137 countries are represented. If you’re curious to learn more, you can browse videos from the event here. 

As I reflect on the whirlwind of innovation and conversation at this year’s ASU+GSV Conference, I am invigorated by the collective passion for shaping the future of education. There were countless insights, but I want to share five critical takeaways that stood out to me as we navigate this dynamic educational landscape.

Critical Takeaways

Empowerment over replacement

The integration of AI and other technological advancements into education is not about replacing the irreplaceable—the educators, the discussions, the nuanced understandings that happen in the classroom. Instead, technology should be the support system that empowers both teachers and students, enhancing the educational experience without diluting the personal touch that is education's very essence.

Accessibility in innovation

While innovation buzzes at the core of edtech conversations, accessibility is the key to unlocking its true potential. It's essential that we develop and deploy tools that not only push the boundaries of what's possible but also are within reach for every student and teacher. Accessibility is the bridge between potential and impact, and it’s one we must build with both care and urgency.

Real-world effectiveness is paramount

A flashy presentation or a list of promised features can be alluring, but what matters most is how these innovations perform in real-world classroom settings. During the conference, I saw a myriad of products, but those that captured my attention demonstrated tangible results and improved learning outcomes. We must be discerning, choosing tools that deliver on their promises.

Financial accessibility for educators

An undercurrent to many discussions was the recognition of a significant barrier: cost. Educators and schools must have financial access to these resources. The summit wasn't just a platform for exhibition but a call to action—to make these opportunities more affordable and accessible, potentially through scholarships or educator discounts. It's a call I intend to take forward.

Teachers at the technological help

Perhaps the most important insight is the central role of teachers in the narrative of technological integration. As new tools emerge, it is the educators, with their insights and experiences, who must guide their adoption in the classroom. Teachers aren’t mere bystanders; they’re the conductors, and their voices are critical in ensuring technology fulfills its promise to enhance education.

Foundational pillars to remember

Education, ultimately, is about creating a safe environment where students can thrive and remain curious. Educators — teachers and administrators — are called on to establish these conditions (among other things). It’s about doing what’s possible to push curiosity and learning to the forefront of priorities.

A Commitment to Arizona's Educators: Localizing Global Insights

Amidst the global perspectives and the myriad of innovations at the ASU+GSV Conference, I continually found my thoughts returning home—to Arizona's resilient educators. The insights gathered from the conference aren't just abstract ideas; they have tangible implications for how we can support and uplift our own education community.

Localizing global innovation

Arizona stands at a crossroads, where the potential of global innovation meets the unique needs of our local educational landscape. The global insights gleaned from the conference spark a crucial dialogue on how we can adapt and apply these breakthroughs to benefit our schools, districts, and, most importantly, our students. This responsibility cannot and should not fall to our education systems. Healthy people are the backbone of healthy societies, which means that we all play a role. 

Remembering our true north

Our ultimate goal for AZ  should be healthy college and career-ready students coming out of our educational system ready to elevate themselves and their communities. This responsibility doesn't fall to our educational system, this urgent time needs everyone to agree  — and work towards — this goal. It will take all of us, in each sector, to work together to improve outcomes for families, youth, and our communities.

Supporting Arizona's teachers

The discussions on financial accessibility resonated deeply with me, knowing that many Arizona educators face budgetary constraints that could limit their access to these cutting-edge tools. I'm determined to bridge this gap. We need concerted efforts to make these technologies available to our educators without the burden of prohibitive costs. This is about ensuring equity, where every classroom in Arizona can harness the power of technological advancements.

A unified voice for technology adoption

As we look to integrate technology in Arizona's classrooms, it's crucial that teachers lead the charge. They are the ones who know their students best and understand the nuances of our diverse communities. Educators across our state must come together to form a unified voice, ensuring that technology adoption is not only about what is new but about what is effective and necessary for our students' growth.

Creating pathways to engagement

To make this a reality, we must create more pathways for Arizona's educators to engage with technological advances. This means establishing programs that allow teachers to trial and evaluate new tools, provide feedback to developers, and ensure that these technologies are molded to fit the needs of our diverse student populations.

Fostering community through technology

Finally, I want to see technology used as a tool to foster community in Arizona. We can take inspiration from the conference to build networks where educators share their experiences, learn from each other, and collaboratively navigate the challenges of modern teaching. In this way, technology becomes a means to unite, rather than divide, strengthening the very social fabric of our educational system.

As I reflect on the conference, I am filled with a renewed sense of purpose. There is work to be done, but also incredible opportunity. For Arizona's educators, the message is clear: the future of education is ours to shape, guided by the lessons from the global stage, driven by our dedication to our students, and rooted in the communities we serve.

Thank you to

Dr. Michael Crow, ASU President

Carole G. Basile, Ed.D., ASU Dean and Professor, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College

Gina Wilt, Director and Clinical Associate Professor, MLF Teachers College

Faith Dalzell, Program Manager Enterprise and Global Projects, Learning Enterprise

Kendall Slaughter, Product Design Manager, EdPlus at ASU

Elysia Labita, Senior Director of Operations and Strategy, EdPlus at ASU

Tim Harrison, EPOG Academy

Brian Imholte, Client Partner at EPAM Systems

José Muñoz, President, Education Commission of the States

Shital C. Shah, Senior Advisor, Strategic Partnerships, Office of the Secretary, US Department of Education

* AI was used to support the development of this article. Ritika Strauss and Kat St.Pierre provided editorial support.