Ed Tech Leaders Testify in Congressional Hearing on Student Data Privacy The Journal In the News

Wednesday morning in Washington, DC, two Ed Tech leaders testified before a joint congressional hearing on student data and privacy. Speaking to the U.S. House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education and the U.S. Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies, Mark MacCarthy and Thomas C. Murray both highlighted the educational benefits of student data and urged Congress to be cautious in considering any new legislation.

Federal Lawmakers Probe Contracts, Laws on Student Data Privacy In the News

On Wednesday, in testimony before a joint congressional hearing on student data and privacy, Thomas C. Murray, state and district digital learning director at the Alliance for Excellent Education, spoke to the value of educational data for modern learning. Check out what Murray and others who testified had to say about student data privacy:

Murray to Congress: “Fear of data must not prevent us from realizing the promise of technology.” Press Release

This morning, in testimony before a joint congressional hearing on student data and privacy, Thomas C. Murray, state and district digital learning director at the Alliance for Excellent Education, said student data can be used effectively to strengthen student achievement and personalize learning for individual students while simultaneously maintaining high levels of student privacy.

Effective Use of Student Data Is Essential to Personalize Learning and Increase Student Achievement, Finds New Alliance Report Press Release

The effective use of student data can improve teaching and learning by empowering educators to personalize instruction and increase student achievement for all students, especially those in the highest-need schools.

Capacity Enablers and Barriers for Learning Analytics: Implications for Policy and Practice Report/Fact Sheet

The field of learning analytics is being discussed in many circles as an emerging concept in education. In many districts and states, the core philosophy behind learning analytics is not entirely new; for more than a decade, discussions of data-driven decisionmaking and the use of data to drive instruction have been common.

Comprehensive Digital Infrastructure Must Include Changes in Teaching Practice, Professional Learning, Assessment, and Other Key Elements, Says New Alliance Report Press Release

While connecting the nation’s schools and libraries to the internet by modernizing and expanding the federal E-rate program currently dominates education technology efforts, a new report from the Alliance for Excellent Education urges that adequate broadband access be accompanied by a comprehensive “digital infrastructure” that unlocks the potential technology to enhance student learning. The report, Creating Anytime, Anywhere Learning for all Students: Key Elements of a Comprehensive Digital Infrastructure, adopts a broader definition of digital infrastructure that includes professional learning, changes in pedagogy, parent and community engagement, and assessment and data systems.

State Digital Learning Legislation: Recent Trends and Future Implications Webinar/Event

Half of the nation’s state legislatures have considered or are considering legislation that could have a significant impact on state- and district-level digital learning efforts. Both the Council of Chief State School Officers and National Conference of State Legislatures are keeping a close watch on bills related to digital learning policy, online learning, competency-based education, and the rapidly evolving area of data privacy. In an interview with Tom Murray, Stephen Bowen, and Sunny Deye will discuss state legislative activities, implications of recent policy changes, and developing trends in legislation. They will also share insight into how these policies and laws could impact digital learning in states and school districts across the nation.

CoSN 2014: How Do Big Data and Digital Learning Improve Education? In the News

One thing that Dr. Yong Zhao and the Hon. Bob Wise agree on is this: K–12 education isn’t giving the nation’s students everything they need in its current form.

Bob Wise: Listening to the Public’s Concern About Big Data In the News

In the next two years, the future of truly personalized learning and student achievement outcomes will largely be determined on how effectively data is used. Success depends on addressing fast growing issues of how data is collected and maintaining student privacy.

Bob Wise: Listening to the Public’s Concerns About Big Data Blog Post