Ever since the #PENNSV16 trip to the San Francisco area several months ago, I’ve been seriously interested in the relationship between #edtech vendors and #edleadership. Fast forward to #ISTE2016 and the opportunity to dig deeper into this relationship.
If you’ve ever been to an ISTE conference, you know the vendor floor is like a carnival with no shortage of attendees interested in lining up outside the hall long before the doors open. As I waited to enter the vendor hall one morning, I ran into Dr. Rod Berger and shared with him some of my questions: What are attendees looking for in this massive carnival of edtech? How many of these people are school leaders and what kinds of critical questions are they asking as they encounter the next edtech solution?
Rod suggested we walk about the floor and have a conversation. The series reflecting our conversation appears over at Scholastic Administrator, and I think it will be of interest to school leaders and edtech vendors alike.
ISTE Behind the Scenes: A Superintendent’s Perspective on the Exhibit Hall Floor
You may also be interested in the series from the #PENNSV16 trip to Silicon Valley and the relationship between school leaders and edtech vendors.
We need to bridge the gap in the conversation between #edtech vendors and #edleadership. How do we ignite this important conversation?
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I’ve never attended an ISTE conference, but have attended smaller conferences over the years. For me, the vendor interaction has almost always been uncomfortable. Kind of like when you’re shopping for a car. You’re on a lot by yourself, kind of trying to hide while you check things out. Then, in your peripheral vision you spot the approaching nemesis…..the sales person. I love your question concerning the target of the vendors. I have to think that it is largely administrators and technology directors. I’m guessing teachers aren’t in the majority because of the cost to attend ISTE. Most districts won’t pay to send lots of teachers at that price. When I attend, I like to question the vendor reps at the tables regarding their background. Has he/she ever been in a classroom? Has he/she ever delivered instruction to students? Most often that answer is no. The companies indeed hire former educators, but they are usually in the PD/training department. I wonder if vendors might have very different sales pitches if it were otherwise. I wonder if they would be selling big ideas rather than products. The LMS is a particularly close to the heart issue for me. It’s name tells you what it really is at it’s heart. It’s a management tool. Can it be used for good? Certainly. I am largely not in favor of a district-wide mandated platform. But, I believe that is exactly how vendors are marketing those products. Of course, that has a financial purpose. Larges scale adoption means SIS integration and district-wide training opportunities which equate to income for the company. Individual teacher adoption usually is free. But, I would submit that allowing teachers to do that very thing is exactly the way to go with an LMS. Teachers need to be able to choose the best tool for the job they have in mind. So, maybe conferences like ISTE need to be more centered on teacher participation. That might change the vendors’ sale’s pitch and get them thinking about the end user. Making my job easier is one piece. But, mostly it should be about how the product affects the students. Great conversation! Your posts always get my think on! 🙂 BTW, it was great to talk with you and Lynn this week at Bucks/Lehigh Summit. I’m already looking forward to next year. Rock On, Charlie
This is a great post that points out some key issues that I discuss with the SIS company that I work for. For me, conferences can be just as awkward! I am always interested in talking about major issues in education, how districts work and function, and where they want to be in 5 years BEFORE we talk software. We need to bridge the gap between the two (edtech and edleadership) and be thought leaders in the industry. I am a former teacher and would love to continue this conversation with you, and Charlie if interested. We can work together to help expand this conversation. I know that several people in my company would welcome this opportunity as well. What do you think?
Justin
Absolutely! What’s the best forum for continuing the conversation in real time? Thank you for reading and engaging. Look forward to connecting!
Randy,
Great. Follow me on Twitter (JMcKeanK12) and we can connect through direct message to share contact information. Looking forward to connecting and getting this conversation started!
Justin