Presented by Maya Gat, Former Educator, Current Co-Founder and CEO, Branching Minds; Vic Vuchic, Chief Strategy Officer, Digital Promise; Dr. Ann White, Associate Superintendent for Student Services, Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District (NC); and Dr. Eva Dundas, Chief Product Officer, Branching Minds

Co-Sponsored by Branching Minds and Digital Promise

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EdTech has the potential to dramatically impact the level in which districts can support their students in reaching academic success. However, with thousands of EdTech products being marketed to districts every year, it can be difficult to consistently measure the trustworthiness of product claims and complete product comparisons. As educators, it is important that we are utilizing research-based products that support the needs of all students, and that we have access to third-party evaluations of these products.

In this edLeader Panel, we discuss the importance of EdTech product certifications, and how these certifications were developed to meet the needs of decision makers at the district level. Specific certifications and product examples demonstrate how an EdTech product can meet the qualifications of these certifications, and how these qualifications directly impact learner outcomes.

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Understand how EdTech products can impact student learning
• Identify the requirements that EdTech products need to meet to be research based and support learner outcomes
• Apply this knowledge when selecting appropriate EdTech products to meet the needs of your district and schools

This recorded edLeader Panel is of interest to district leaders and school leaders in K-12 education.

About the Presenters

Maya Gat is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Branching Minds, where she focuses on building partnerships with districts and product design. She has spent 17 years working with children, youth, and adults as an educator in various capacities both inside and outside the school system. She has previously taught young children ages 2-3 and students in grades 2-4 in New York City. She led youth advocacy groups in Pennsylvania, directed after-school programs in California and Florida, and provided wrap-around services to adolescents in New York. She has also tutored students with a broad range of learning needs, from kindergarteners to college students. Maya received her M.S. in childhood and early childhood education from Sarah Lawrence College. She also holds a B.A. in urban studies and fine arts from the University of Pennsylvania.

Vic Vuchic is the chief strategy officer at Digital Promise and a seasoned thought leader in education technology and philanthropy. He is an expert in learning science, innovation, and scaling what works, launching initiatives that have increased access to education for tens of millions of learners around the world. Prior to Digital Promise Global, Vic consulted with a number of foundations and organizations on education technology, innovation and philanthropy. His work has included developing strategies and managing over $100 million in technology-focused grants at the Hewlett Foundation to launch and grow the Open Educational Resources movement and create and advance the Deeper Learning strategy. Vic completed a master’s degree in education and technology at Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. His previous experience includes working at startups in Silicon Valley for eight years with expertise in human-centric system design and innovation methodologies.

Dr. Ann White is the current associate superintendent for student services at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District. Dr. White has held numerous leadership positions in education, including assistant superintendent for Exceptional Children, executive director of CMS’ North Learning Center, director of curriculum and instruction, director of accountability, and multiple principal roles at the secondary and elementary levels. She earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Andrews Presbyterian College, a master’s degree in elementary education from American University, Washington, D.C., and a master’s in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. White also earned an education specialist degree and a doctoral degree, both in education leadership, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Dr. Eva Dundas is the chief product officer of Branching Minds, where she pursues her mission to bridge the gap between the science of learning and education practice. Dr. Dundas has a Ph.D. in developmental and cognitive psychology from Carnegie Mellon University where she conducted research on how the brain develops when children acquire visual expertise for words and faces. Her research also explores how the relationship between neural systems (specifically language and visual processing) unfolds over development, and how those dynamics differ with neurodevelopmental disorders like dyslexia and autism. She has published articles on that subject in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuropsychologia, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, and Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Dr. Dundas also has an M.Ed. in mind, brain, and education from Harvard University, and a B.S. in neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh.

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Branching Minds is a leading K-12 education technology company that leverages the learning sciences and technology to help school districts effectively personalize learning through enhancements to their MTSS/RTI practice. Working with hundreds of districts across the country, we bring deep expertise in learning sciences, data management and analysis, software design, coaching, and collaboration. Combined with our extensive toolkit of resources, PD, and technology, we provide a system-level solution. We are more than a service or a software provider, we are partners who deliver sustainable results for educators and a path to success for every learner.

Digital Promise was created with the mission to accelerate innovation in education to improve opportunities to learn.