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Google Hit With Lawsuit Over Data Collection on School Kids (1)
Google Hit With Lawsuit Over Data Collection on School Kids (1)

Google faces a class action lawsuit for allegedly collecting data from K-12 students through its Workspace for Education products without parental consent. The suit claims Google creates unique digital fingerprints of children, tracks them even when cookies are disabled, and uses the data commercially, affecting 70% of US K-12 schools.

·news.bloomberglaw.com·
Google Hit With Lawsuit Over Data Collection on School Kids (1)
How video games can support children's well-being
How video games can support children's well-being

Research shows well-designed video games support children's well-being through identity exploration, creativity, and social connections. The study of 20 UK families found games with solo play options protect safety while allowing children to develop digital literacy, master challenges, and maintain friendships during isolation periods.

The ability of games to provide safe spaces for identity experimentation stands out. Children can explore new interests and self-expression without fear of peer judgment. The customisation features and controlled environments let them trial aspects of identity before taking them into real-world interactions.

"For nine-year-old Penny, Bloxburg (a role-play and life simulation game within the Roblox platform) was an important avenue for exploring aspects of her identity. She was able to play at changing her physical appearance and exploring her developing interest in cooking before trying these changes out in interactions with friends and family."

·phys.org·
How video games can support children's well-being
School Calendars, Human Error Fuel K-12 Cyber Crimes
School Calendars, Human Error Fuel K-12 Cyber Crimes
A report this week from the nonprofit Center for Internet Security shows that most school cyber attacks rely on human error and tend to spike during exam weeks and other busy, high-pressure times.
A report this week from the nonprofit Center for Internet Security shows that most school cyber attacks rely on human error and tend to spike during exam weeks and other busy, high-pressure times.
·govtech.com·
School Calendars, Human Error Fuel K-12 Cyber Crimes
The Steps Schools Should Take So All Students Can Use Ed Tech
The Steps Schools Should Take So All Students Can Use Ed Tech

The article discusses new guidance from the U.S. Department of Education on digital accessibility in schools, emphasising the need for educational technology to accommodate all students, including those with disabilities and multilingual learners. The guidance follows updated ADA regulations requiring schools to ensure online content is accessible.

The collaborative approach advocated in the article stands out - the emphasis on breaking down departmental silos and bringing together special educators, IT staff, procurement teams, and school leadership to create comprehensive accessibility solutions. This systemic view of accessibility as a shared responsibility marks a shift from treating it as solely a special education concern.

"When we talk about creating things that are accessible, it's not just a special education department's job. The school leadership needs to be on board with it. The IT department needs to be on board with it, as well as procurement. We need to make sure that we are communicating with each other, sharing ideas and thoughts around what we think about accessibility and how we approach it," says Desmond Rudd.

·edweek.org·
The Steps Schools Should Take So All Students Can Use Ed Tech
Preparing our kids for the wild world of the internet
Preparing our kids for the wild world of the internet

A media studies teacher at Macleans College advocates for mandatory media literacy education in schools, warning that students lack tools to navigate online dangers like toxic masculinity and misinformation. Currently, media studies remains an elective subject despite growing concerns about digital literacy gaps.

The absence of media studies from New Zealand's core curriculum documents since 2007 reflects a systemic undervaluation of digital literacy education. While some progress has been made with teaching guides, the subject's exclusion from official curriculum booklets hampers its recognition as fundamental to modern education.

"When we had our curriculum written in 2007 media studies was left out of that. We are not in the paper booklet of our national curriculum," says Jerome Cargill, head of media at Macleans College in Auckland.

·rnz.co.nz·
Preparing our kids for the wild world of the internet
Preparing Students for a Machine-Integrated World - EdTech Digest
Preparing Students for a Machine-Integrated World - EdTech Digest
Hands-on and experiential learning initiatives such as robotics competitions, coding and maker labs, and design thinking challenges exemplify how education can integrate hard and soft skills seamlessly. By introducing students to technology through engaging, tactile lesson plans, STEM programs teach widely applicable technical competencies like coding and engineering.
·edtechdigest.com·
Preparing Students for a Machine-Integrated World - EdTech Digest
Tracking Trump: His actions on education - The Hechinger Report
Tracking Trump: His actions on education - The Hechinger Report

Trump's first five weeks in office saw sweeping changes to education policy, including major cuts to teacher training and research programs, reversal of diversity initiatives, restrictions on transgender students, and threats to withhold funding from institutions with race-conscious policies. He reiterated his desire to eliminate the Department of Education entirely.

The administration's focus on dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs extends beyond direct education policy into areas like military academies, government websites, and research funding - suggesting a comprehensive effort to reshape how identity and equity are addressed across all federally-connected educational institutions.

·hechingerreport.org·
Tracking Trump: His actions on education - The Hechinger Report
How can student data be used ethically in AI and analytics? | Catalyst IT
How can student data be used ethically in AI and analytics? | Catalyst IT

Educational institutions are grappling with ethical use of student data in AI and analytics, balancing the need for insights with privacy concerns. Guidelines focus on protecting data sovereignty, maintaining transparency with students, and ensuring AI tools don't reinforce biases while recognising data as more than just numbers.

The Māori perspective of data as 'taonga' (treasure) adds cultural depth to data ethics discussions. The emphasis on New Zealand-based cloud providers for data sovereignty, combined with machine-learning initiatives like UC's Analytics for Course Engagement, demonstrates practical applications of ethical AI principles.

"When the context of identity is taken away from a person to anonymise their data, it takes away what makes them, them. Additionally, in a Māori context, data is seen as a taonga (treasure) and when used, there must be mindful context."

·catalyst.net.nz·
How can student data be used ethically in AI and analytics? | Catalyst IT
What will 2025 bring to the EdTech sector? Special predictions from EdTech Hub experts
What will 2025 bring to the EdTech sector? Special predictions from EdTech Hub experts

EdTech experts predict 2025 will see AI integration balanced with simpler tech solutions, increased focus on teacher support via smartphones, and development of low-tech AI solutions for underserved areas. The predictions emphasise practical, accessible technology and evidence-based approaches to bridge learning gaps in global education.

·edtechhub.org·
What will 2025 bring to the EdTech sector? Special predictions from EdTech Hub experts
Why Private Equity’s Playbook Fails in K-12 EdTech
Why Private Equity’s Playbook Fails in K-12 EdTech

rivate equity investment in K-12 edtech has seen dramatic fluctuations, dropping from $17.1 billion in 2021 to just $1.5 billion by May 2024. PE firms often misapply traditional growth strategies to edtech, overlooking the sector's unique characteristics of school-year budget cycles, complex decision-making processes, and trust-based relationships.

The disconnect between PE approaches and edtech success stems from fundamental misunderstandings of the education market. School purchasing decisions involve multiple stakeholders and depend on government funding cycles. Growth requires building trust over time rather than aggressive customer acquisition. When PE firms prioritise rapid returns, they often cut essential support services and development.

·edtechdigest.com·
Why Private Equity’s Playbook Fails in K-12 EdTech
The European Edtech Funding Report 2025
The European Edtech Funding Report 2025

Global edtech funding increased from $5.6B to $6.3B between 2023-2024, with deal count rising from 915 to 1153. While European funding fell from $1.2B to $0.8B, Q4 showed strong recovery. Sweden and Italy joined the top 5 European markets, with 9 countries represented in the top 10 most active cities.

The emergence of 'Edtech 2.0' represents a significant shift, combining traditional education technology with workplace productivity tools. This expanded sector secured $15.4B globally in 2024 - 2.4 times more than traditional edtech. The integration of training, job placement and productivity platforms reflects evolving workplace demands.

"As the pace of innovation increased in a tight labor market, platforms have extended across training, job placement, and productivity to augment talent on a 'just-in-time' basis."

·brighteyevc.com·
The European Edtech Funding Report 2025