No. 642  |   2/28/24   |   EdSurge Biz Journalism that ignites your curiosity about education This issue is sponsored by Solutions Network Logo_Full color SOLUTIQNS NE'I'W§ RK When the M&M vending machine wouldn’t start up normally, a student at the University of Waterloo noticed a strange error code: “Invenda.Vending.FacialRecognitionApp.exe.”   It surprised students that smart vending machines use facial recognition, and some weren’t amused. According to a brochure made by the vending machine company, "the machines are capable of sending estimated ages and genders" back to corporate headquarters. The discovery led to a student protest against the use of the technology on campus. And now the university is removing the vending machines.  But facial recognition is making headway in educational settings in other ways, too. With school shootings and student mental health concerns on the rise, many schools are working harder to keep students safe. That’s meant profits for the school safety industry, a controversial sector which monitors students and which critics allege violates student privacy rights. Companies in the sector have reportedly increased their marketing to schools, arguing that these technologies improve safety. Others are looking to facial recognition technology for classroom management. They believe that AI-powered recognition systems can keep students on task and also keep track of how much students are learning.  Not everyone is on board, though. In September, the New York State Education Department issued an order to prevent the use of facial recognition in schools in the state. Notably, that order singled out facial recognition as a unique violation of privacy and civil rights compared to other biometric technologies like fingerprint scanners.  But so far, New York is one of the few places to make an outright ban.  📰 HEADLINES NEW PLAN, OLD CONCERNS: When the federal government released its revised edtech plan last month, it was laying down its hope for a future that delivers on effective instruction for students. In some ways, observers say, it’s living up to the long-standing desire to deliver a truly inclusive education system. But with evaporating funds, will those hopes be dashed?   ONLINE HAS IMPROVED CAMPUS TEACHING: Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced instructors around the world to try online education, something unexpected has happened: Professors have found that there are some online teaching methods that work better than what can be done in the limits of a physical classroom, argues Robert Ubell, a longtime leader of online education efforts.  REMOVING BARRIERS — OR LOWERING THE BAR? In recent years, a number of states have reconsidered their approach to “basic skills tests” — which have long been required for entry into teacher preparation programs — due to concerns over teacher shortages, inequities of the assessment, and the growing demographic gap between America’s students and teachers. We look at why this trend has been applauded by some but cautioned by others. 📢 DEALS Lincoln Educational Services, a career education and training provider, announced $40 million in revolving credit facility with Fifth Third Bank.  Ziplines Education, a certificate course provider, raised $6.4 million in Series A funding. NativeX, a Vietnamese English learning platform, raised $4 million. Mathbrix, a tool that offers cloud-based math games, raised $1 million in funding from the National Science Foundation for an early childhood education-focused app. Podium Education, which operates a career accelerator platform, acquired Untapped, a career opportunities software company, for an undisclosed amount. SPONSORED BY ED-FI DATA DIALOGUE: AS TECHNOLOGY BECOMES AS COMMON IN CLASSROOMS AS TEXTBOOKS, SEAMLESS EDTECH INTEGRATION IS CRITICAL. EDTECH PROVIDERS DISCUSS HOW, BY EMBRACING A UNIFIED DATA LANGUAGE, SCHOOLS CAN TRANSCEND THE CHAOS OF DISPARATE SYSTEMS, ENSURING REAL-TIME INSIGHTS FOR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND, ULTIMATELY, EMPOWERING STUDENT SUCCESS. The following is a message from our sponsor Solutions Network Logo_Full color SOLUTIQNS NE'I'W§ RK Join us on Tuesday, February 27th at 10:00 am PT/1:00 pm ET for ISTE Solutions Network virtual roundtable focused on high-level Edtech Market Insights and Strategic Growth Strategies with industry experts Mark Miller, Ken Eisner, and Matt Tower. Learn more. 🎧 ON THE PODCAST PRESERVING CULTURE IN VR: Could virtual reality be the key to teaching indigenous ways of knowing to a broad population of students? Jared Ten Brink, a doctoral student in education, is trying to record and teach some key practices of his tribal elders using VR video.  ISTE Learning Tech Directory_4c_Horizontal_v1-2 4| LEARNING ‘ TECHNOLOGY e = « | DIRECTORY 🏃 MOVERS AND SHAKERS Zen Educate, a digital marketplace that matches schools with teachers and paraprofessionals, named Chris Berry as managing director of its U.S. arm. Mentor Collective, a mentorship-focused edtech provider, named Erin Mayhood as CEO and Jackson Boyar as executive chairman. 👀 ALSO ON OUR RADAR Looking to write a policy concerning AI, a district in Washington state just had ChatGPT write one. (EdWeek) How the Inuit use an app, SIKU, to navigate the changing environment and preserve their traditions. (Hakai Magazine) What makes scaling high-dose tutoring so tricky? (The 74) Can remote learning be useful for preschoolers? (Government Technology) EdSurge_Jobs Looking for a new job? EdSurge has the leading jobs board in the industry. Post a job | See all jobs School District Sales Representative | Generation Genius, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA or Remote Generation Genius (K-8 online science videos and lessons for schools) is seeking a district sales representative. Vice President, YouthTruth | The Center for Effective Philanthropy/YouthTruth | San Francisco, CA The Center for Effective Philanthropy is seeking a Vice President to lead its YouthTruth Initiative. The VP has the opportunity to influence schools, districts, funders and networks and help create happier, healthier, school systems. Sales Manager | Soomo Learningn | Asheville, NC or Remote Soomo Learning is seeking a Sales Manager with a passion for learning and proven sales leadership in higher education. The ideal candidate will drive team growth and courseware expansion in an agile and highly collaborative environment. Chief Executive Officer | The Accelerated Schools | Los Angeles, CA CommonLit is looking for a detail-oriented, research-oriented strategic partner for our Chief Operating Officer. In this role, you will lead and manage projects on behalf of the COO, ensuring clear objectives and effective execution.  Sr. Program Manager, Credentialing | ISTE - ASCD | Multiple ISTE + ASCD is seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager to join our certification team. You will support the program and project coordination for ISTE+ASCD Credentialing programs. Events Post an event   •   See all events and meetups  1EdTech Digital Credentials Summit | March 4 | New Orleans, LA This annual conference is the premier event for senior education leaders, employers, and innovators working together to provide a better path to the future for all learners through innovative and verifiable microcredentials. 2024 ASCD Annual Conference | March 22 | Washington, DC Fuel your passion for education and help shape the future of learning at ASCD24. At this must-attend event, you'll meet ASCD authors and education experts who will guide you in improving academic outcomes for all students and help you solve the tough issues facing your school or district. ISTELive 24 | June 23 - 26 | Denver, CO At ISTELive 24, June 23-26 in Denver and online, you’ll scale to new learning heights during 900+ strategy-packed sessions that will help you continue to move mountains for students. ➔ GOT ANY FEEDBACK? WE LOVE HEARING FROM READERS. SHOOT US A NOTE, CRITIQUES, A JOKE—WHATEVER YOU’VE GOT! ➔ INTERESTED IN REACHING OUR READERS? SPONSOR THIS NEWSLETTER. EdSurge is a nonprofit newsroom reporting on the powerful forces, fascinating people and innovative practices shaping teaching and learning. International Society for Technology in Education 2111 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA, , USA 800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 503.342.2848 (Int'l) To update your email preferences or unsubscribe, click here.