When schools shifted to remote and hybrid learning during the pandemic, districts adopted digital platforms at breakneck speed. Some were essential, others were chosen simply because they were available on short notice. Now that emergency funding is fading and leaders are being pressed to show results, many districts are undertaking a new kind of cleanup: reducing their overwhelming collections of edtech tools.
School leaders are under constant pressure to choose the “right” educational technology. New platforms promise engagement, personalization, and improved outcomes, yet many districts still struggle to see meaningful instructional change. The challenge, however, is rarely about access to devices or software. More often, it is about clarity: understanding how and when technology genuinely strengthens teaching and learning.
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has moved rapidly from novelty to reality in classrooms, raising urgent questions about how it should be used, studied, and governed—especially in K–12 education, where foundational learning takes place. While debates about ethics, authorship, and academic integrity often dominate public discourse, a growing body of research is beginning to explore how GenAI tools like ChatGPT are actually being used by teachers and students. A recent synthesis of empirical studies offers a revealing snapshot of current practices, research gaps, and future priorities for integrating GenAI meaningfully into school systems.
In classrooms across Boston, small high-tech sensors are quietly transforming how schools protect students’ health. These devices are part of a pioneering initiative by Boston Public Schools (BPS) to monitor indoor air quality in real time — a first-of-its-kind effort that could change how schools nationwide think about clean air, student performance, and well-being.
School leaders everywhere know that every dollar matters. As federal relief funds expire and education budgets tighten, districts face growing pressure to stretch resources without compromising quality. A new report from Pittsburgh’s Office of the City Controller offers a timely reminder: strong procurement practices—how schools buy goods and services—can unlock millions in savings, improve service quality, and strengthen public trust.
A growing body of research is revealing how technology can transform inquiry-based learning — helping students think, collaborate, and problem-solve like scientists. A recent synthesis of 58 empirical studies examined how technology-enhanced collaborative inquiry (TECI) affects student learning across K–12 classrooms. The findings show clear benefits: students gain deeper content knowledge, develop stronger inquiry and argumentation skills, and engage more meaningfully with peers. At the same time, the studies highlight real-world challenges for teachers trying to orchestrate complex inquiry activities within limited classroom time.
Even as classrooms grow more connected and digital, the whiteboard remains a centerpiece of collaboration. It’s where students gather to share ideas, teachers map out new concepts, and creativity fills the room.
Today’s next gen school libraries are vibrant, dynamic learning ecosystems that pulse with collaborative energy, technological innovation, and flexible functionality. This transformation represents one of the most significant shifts in educational space design over the past few decades.
The design of a classroom is far more than a matter of furniture and walls—it’s a foundation for human connection. Every layout choice, color, and piece of furniture sends a message about how students and teachers relate to one another. Classrooms designed to build community foster collaboration, empathy, and shared purpose—key ingredients for learning and personal growth in the 21st century.
Today’s next gen school libraries are vibrant, dynamic learning ecosystems that pulse with collaborative energy, technological innovation, and flexible functionality. This transformation represents one of the most significant shifts in educational space design over the past few decades.