Educast 3000: Why Evidence Matters

Dr. Mary Styers, joins Ryan and Melissa tot discusses the importance of evidence in ed tech decision making. She shares her journey into research and her passion for working directly with educators. Dr. Styers also highlights the annual evidence report released by Learn Platform, which examines the usage and efficacy of ed tech tools. The report reveals that only 36% of the most used ed tech tools have evidence to support their effectiveness. The conversation explores the challenges of evaluating the vast number of tools available and the need for more research and evidence-based practices in education. They discuss the concerns and benefits of using educational technology tools in schools. Concerns include the difficulty for administrators to understand and vet the tools, the overload of multiple tools in a district, and the lack of evidence for the effectiveness of some tools. On the positive side, online tutoring solutions have shown strong positive impacts on student performance. The conversation also highlights the importance of partnerships and collaboration in promoting evidence-based decision-making in the EdTech industry. The need for accessible and rigorous research, transparency in tool adoption, and equity in access to tools are emphasized. The conversation concludes with a discussion on promoting positive change and rethinking the approach to research to ensure that no student is left behind.

What is Educast 3000?

Ah, education…a world filled with mysterious marvels. From K12 to Higher Ed, educational change and innovation are everywhere. And with that comes a few lessons, too.

Each episode, EduCast3000 hosts, Melissa Loble and Ryan Lufkin, will break down the fourth wall and reflect on what’s happening in education – the good, the bad, and, in some cases, the just plain chaotic. This is the most transformative time in the history of education, so if you’re passionate about the educational system and want some timely and honest commentary on what’s happening in the industry, this is your show.

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