Learn21's Weekly EdTech Update

September 25, 2025

The Power of EdTech Coaches: Partners in Learning

by Amy Tudor

In today’s classrooms, technology is everywhere—but the true measure of its impact lies in how it’s used to support learning. This is why I believe my role as an educational technology (EdTech) coach plays a critical role. Coaches help teachers bridge the gap between learning goals and the tools available, ensuring that technology enhances student learning.

As an EdTech coach, I'm a partner in the instructional design process. I start by listening: What is the teacher’s learning goal? What do they want students to know or be able to do? From there, I collaborate to explore how technology can make learning more engaging, accessible, and effective. Sometimes that means introducing a new digital tool; other times it’s about rethinking how a familiar platform can be used in a fresh way.

I know I'm not expected to know everything about every tool or every strategy. In fact, one of my greatest strengths is modeling curiosity and continuous learning! When a teacher brings an idea to the table, I'm often learning alongside them—testing possibilities, troubleshooting challenges, and celebrating successes together. This creates a culture where experimentation is encouraged and innovation thrives.

Investing in coaching is investing in growth. Coaches empower teachers to move beyond simply “using technology” to intentionally weaving it into instruction in ways that serve students’ needs. The impact is lasting: classrooms that are more student-centered, learning experiences that are more dynamic, and educators who feel supported rather than overwhelmed by digital change.

EdTech coaches may not know it all, but what we do know is powerful—how to connect people, pedagogy, and technology in ways that make learning meaningful.

Media Literacy Minute

Defining Social Media Across Generations

New research from UConn finds that adults and teens often have very different definitions of what counts as “social media.” While teens may think of platforms like Snapchat or Tik Tok, adults are more likely to see group chats, gaming spaces, or short-form video apps as central to their online lives. This gap in understanding highlights why intergenerational conversations about digital habits can be both challenging and necessary.

AI and Academic Integrity

A recent AP story explores how schools are wrestling with the rise of AI-enabled cheating. From copy-paste assignments to AI-generated essays, educators are grappling with how to balance accountability with the recognition that these tools are now part of everyday life. The conversation is shifting from punishment to preparation: how do we teach students to use AI responsibly rather than simply banning it?

Fifteen Years of Digital Literacy Lessons

After more than a decade in classrooms, one educator shares 15 key lessons from teaching digital literacy. From emphasizing curiosity to teaching resilience in the face of misinformation, these insights reinforce that digital literacy isn’t a one-time lesson but an ongoing practice. For schools, it’s a reminder that success comes from weaving these skills across all subjects, not just technology classes.

Email Signature Too Short? PD at the ETLA Conference

by Erica Shumaker

This October, the EdTech Leaders Alliance (ETLA) Conference is bringing together educators, technology leaders, and innovators in Columbus, Ohio, for three days of powerful learning, collaboration, and growth. From October 19–21, attendees will have the chance to engage in professional development experiences designed to build leadership capacity, deepen understanding of technology integration, and prepare participants to guide their districts into the future.

Why PD at ETLA Matters

At the heart of the ETLA Conference is a commitment to equipping leaders with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to thrive in an evolving educational landscape. The professional development opportunities offered this year are hands-on, collaborative, and immediately relevant—helping attendees translate big ideas into practical action.

Professional Development Highlights

CETL Workshop for Fall 2025 Study Group

For aspiring Certified Education Technology Leaders (CETLs), this focused workshop offers the chance to dive into CoSN’s leadership framework, review key exam details, and connect with peers in the Fall CETL study cohort. Participants will leave with clarity, confidence, and a stronger vision for their leadership journey.

From Awareness to Leadership: Understanding Ohio’s New Tech Standards

As Ohio shifts toward new Learning Standards for Technology, this workshop provides the tools to understand what’s changed and what it means for districts. Attendees will collaboratively map alignment, identify areas for growth, and walk away with messaging and planning resources tailored to their district’s context.

Sustainable Implementation of Ohio’s Tech Standards

Moving from awareness to action, this session equips district leaders with strategies for sustainable adoption of the new standards. Participants will engage in guided planning and peer discussion to create district-specific frameworks that align initiatives, prioritize goals, and set realistic implementation steps.

ETLA Certified Coach Program

This session introduces the ETLA Certified Coach Program, which is grounded in the Core of Coaching framework by Forward Edge. Participants will gain insight into how the program supports professional growth for instructional leaders and discover how to get involved in this new coaching opportunity.

Ready to Lead, Learn, and Grow

Whether you are an aspiring CETL, a district leader navigating Ohio’s new standards, or an educator seeking to strengthen your coaching skills, the ETLA Conference provides tailored professional development to meet your needs. These sessions go beyond theory—they give you practical tools and collaborative experiences to bring back to your district.

Big Ideas

Eye Drops for Reading Glasses? Yes, Really.

New FDA-approved Vizz drops may replace reading glasses for millions of people with age-related farsightedness. The drops work within minutes and last up to six hours. This innovation hints at a future where we treat aging with apps and eyedrops instead of surgeries and devices.

Finland’s Giant Sand Battery Could Power a Cleaner Future

A new sand battery in Pornainen, Finland, is now the largest of its kind, capable of storing clean energy for months by heating and insulating tons of sand. This low-cost, long-duration energy solution from Polar Night Energy could revolutionize how we store renewable power, especially in cold climates. Who knew the future of clean energy might look like a giant sandbox?

From Turbine to Tiny Home

What happens when a wind turbine blade retires? In Denmark, it becomes a house. A designer has transformed a discarded 148-foot blade into a sleek, modern tiny home, turning industrial waste into sustainable architecture. It’s a powerful example of circular design, and a creative reminder that one person’s blade is another’s blueprint.