By: Sarni Jaye
My mother was a teacher and head counselor her entire career. My grandmother and five of her siblings were also lifelong teachers or principals. My aunt had a school named after her in Texas, and my father is a practicing attorney and law professor. So, needless to say, education has always been a strong value in my family. I am honored to carry on the torch.
Growing up in a tribe of educators, you learn a few key things: to finish your assignments before even thinking of asking to go play; that no matter how hard you tried, the dog would never eat your lima beans—or your homework; and most importantly, to develop your mind to not only seek proven answers but also to ask new questions. Thankfully, one of the questions being asked in our current social climate is, “How can we more effectively educate students to achieve maximum results?” The education technology (aka “edtech”) industry is providing answers.
Edtech fosters learning and performance through the use of technology-based platforms. According to HotTopics.ht, a global media brand devoted to facilitating meaningful business conversations with world leaders, the education and training industries worldwide account for more than $4 trillion in spending combined. A recent report from ethics-based quantitative market research firm Metaari stated that a record-breaking “$8.24 billion in investment flowed to learning technology firms in the first half of 2018.” The edtech field is combining what’s centuries old (education) with what’s now (technology) to deliver customized teaching and learning that is innovative, individualized, and intuitive.
When I was in grade school, there was only one student-approved way to organize your work: the Trapper Keeper! And, no, Mom, it could not be a no-name three-ring binder held together with a rubber band; it had to be an official Velcro-sealed Trapper Keeper, thank you very much. Now, instead of color-coded folders to house your homework and notes scrawled on loose-leaf paper, most of our activities exist digitally. Apps, the cloud, and computer-based programs are designed to provide a place for learning, for access, and for equipping teachers with greater data on students’ individual strengths, weaknesses, and progress. This means fewer pupils will get left behind, even when they aren’t always given a head start.
So, while the dog may not devour our homework and Trapper Keepers are no longer our ticket to the Cool Kids’ Club, the educational playing field is being upgraded and balanced all across the globe. Coming from a family of educators, joining the PRP team to help improve the awareness and success of edtech wasn’t just an investment in myself; it was a promise of a better tomorrow for my family, for yours, and for generations to come. Cheers to all the exceptional educators and lifelong learners out there paving the way! I look forward to helping you any way I can.
Thanks for sharing!