Miguel Dias’ Post

Did you know that Oral Roberts University (ORU) has been recognized by both the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education as one of the top four universities in the country for student engagement? This remarkable achievement is attributed to ORU's commitment to fostering a connected and engaged campus community through Ready Education's mobile app. In an era where student engagement is key to success, ORU stands out for empowering students with the tools and support they need to thrive. Digital innovation, like Ready Education's platform, plays a huge role in creating meaningful connections and enhancing the student experience. Check out the EDUCAUSE article on the 2025 Top 10 IT Issues to see how institutions are navigating and "Taming the Digital Jungle." (https://lnkd.in/gVDEtisZ) Curious about how we can drive student engagement at your institution? Let’s connect! #HigherEd #StudentEngagement #EdTech #DigitalTransformation #HigherEducation

It feels like schools are at a pivotal moment, reassessing their relationship with technology as they navigate the tension between its transformative promise and the challenges it brings. Has technology and the internet truly democratized and revolutionized teaching and learning, or has its impact been more nuanced? The answer likely depends on who you ask. On one side, we see the immense potential: personalized learning, global connectivity, and empowered creativity and collaboration. On the other, we face significant challenges: concerns about screen time, ethical dilemmas, and the impact on relationships and community connection. These are not problems with straightforward solutions—they are tensions to manage thoughtfully and intentionally. One effective approach to navigating this complexity is to double down on intentionality grounded in core values. Developing a technology rubric can help schools move from abstract ideals to actionable guidance, ensuring technology decisions align with the school's mission and goals. Here are a few simple but powerful guiding questions to get started: Does this tool align with our mission to foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking? Does it respect and enhance the well-being of students, ensuring screen time is purposeful rather than excessive? Does it promote inclusivity and equitable access for all members of our community? Creating a rubric doesn’t need to be an overwhelming task. A small, focused committee can take the lead by: Researching Best Practices: Learn from other schools and organizations. Defining Core Values: Clearly articulate what matters most in the school's relationship with technology. Drafting a Framework: Develop initial categories and criteria. Piloting and Refining: Test the rubric with existing tools or policies and refine based on outcomes. The committee’s success will hinge on engaging the larger community. By gathering input through surveys, listening sessions, or town halls, they ensure the rubric reflects a diversity of perspectives. This not only strengthens the rubric but also builds trust and buy-in, making it a shared foundation for decision-making. Finally, we must regularly reflect on the tools we’ve adopted and critically assess new technologies as they emerge. Do these tools truly serve us as humans and as a community of learners? By anchoring ourselves in intentionality, we can navigate the forest of possibilities, ensuring technology enhances—not diminishes—our shared purpose.

Independent schools are up against unique challenges when it comes to technology and funding. Is your school experiencing this? Let us know in the comments. #EducationalTechnology #EdTech

Your opinion matters! Which feature will drive the future of education: tech integration or collaborative spaces? Vote now and let us know your choice! 🚀💫 #TechInEducation #CollaborativeLearning #FutureOfEducation

Institutions are balancing capacity issues and rapid #technologicaladvancements—including #artificialintelligence—while addressing a loss of trust in #highereducation. To adapt to the future, technology and #dataleaders must work strategically to restore trust, prepare for #policyupdates, and plan for #onlineeducation growth. In the final 2024 installment of the EDUCAUSE Showcase Series, we look to the future and plan for what lies ahead. Explore the showcase: https://ow.ly/tGrP50UkkK1

Sometimes when I tell people that I work with "data interoperability" I'm frankly met with blank stares! It can be a lot to untangle, but at it's base, we mean a scenario where "student data flows seamlessly between systems, empowering educators with a complete view of each learner, streamlining administrative tasks, and enabling data-driven decision-making for improved and equitable educational outcomes," as Mike Baur explains. Project Unicorn assesses the current state of the K-12 field in achieving #datainteroperability. Mike has some thoughts on what they found: https://lnkd.in/gAQfcTED #eddata

What does technology look like in Utah schools? This piece takes a deeper dive into the data Connected Nation, Inc. and the Utah Education Network uncovered in the latest statewide inventory. Check out the results and the key takeaways: https://lnkd.in/eNzUAv8S #ConnectedNation #schooltech #schooltechnology #remotelearning #learning #education

Digital literacy isn’t just about using tech—it’s about understanding how it works, staying safe online, and knowing what’s real or fake. Our schools need to make this a priority. 💡📱 #DigitalCitizenship #21stCenturySkills

Parents weren't concerned just about academics anymore... . . . I always thought that parents care only about their kid's academics. But I was wrong. Last month, I attended a workshop by the National Library Board. I got to talk to a lot of parents, especially young parents. Their concerns weren’t just about academics anymore. They’re more worried about their kids stepping into the digital world. What if: - They got cyberbullied. - They are unknowingly racking up bills clicking on random pop-ups. - They share personal information with online strangers. - They struggle to sort facts from fake news or scams. The digital world is trick-level unexpected; even grown-ups can trip. So we’re here creating something to help—an animated series all about digital literacy for kids. It’s like teaching them the internet's survival basics. We’re about partnering up, either with schools or individuals who see the value in this. Because it’s about making this learning simple, fun, and essential. If kids can navigate the web smartly, that's a win for everyone. Berthing digital literacy isn’t just a parent’s gig. It takes a whole team, and we’re ready to collaborate. Let’s face it—today's childhood includes screen time, and we need to get in sync with that tune. P.S: Events like this show how much digital literacy is being focused on nowadays.

As Federal Dollars Vanish, Districts Weigh Which Edtech Tools to Drop https://lnkd.in/gGdQbcbz #teachingandlearning #digitalaccess #digitallearning #policyandgovernment #classlink #analytics