Teachers Rely on Tech Tools Now More Than Ever

I recently had the honor of attending and presenting at the Mississippi Department of Education’s virtual summit for educators. It was inspiring to be gathered, albeit virtually, to learn from others, and to celebrate our collective perseverance and even growth over the last year.

One resounding theme was that educators simply could not have done their jobs this past year without digital tools. From Google Meets, Hangout, and Canvas, to Zoom, Microsoft’s Flipgrid and Google Jamboard – interactive, technology tools have helped teachers instruct, students learn, and have allowed for collaboration when we are unable to be face-to-face.

As a Google for Education Certified Trainer, I often rely on these platforms to communicate, provide effective professional development for teachers, and foster my own learning. Edtech companies across the globe have stepped up to the challenge and helped teachers provide the best instruction possible during a global pandemic. Many companies even made paid services free for teachers during this time to ensure that all students had access to adequate online learning tools.

Big tech companies have come under fire lately, and of course, there are some topics worthy of debate. However, there is no denying their contribution to the education system and the way we now deliver information. Politically motivated attacks can harm innovation, which is critical in helping us educate our youngest citizens. My hope is that policy makers will keep that in mind as they look to inject more government into the fast-paced world of digital innovation.