While the global pandemic disrupted education for all students at all levels around the globe, it did not do so in an equitable manner; disparities in education for members of different races and socioeconomic classes were often exacerbated and amplified by the shift to virtual education. This was due not only to varying degrees of access to technology but to other systemic factors. The silver lining is that the pandemic may have helped to point us in the direction of significant reforms which address these inequities.

In recognition of World Youth Skills Day 2021, a group of technology industry leaders discuss the impact of the pandemic on young people, and in particular what this is going to hold for the future of the technology industry.

Seven tips to encourage personal development and create district-wide teacher buy-in for new technology: 1. Allow six months of advance prep time to identify pain points before you implement any new solution. 2. Research possible solutions and identify the one that meets your criteria. 3. Don’t assume your students’ parents don’t have access to technology. 4. Once you’ve narrowed down your edtech tool search, create an account and play around with the technology. 5. Run a focus group with key teachers. 6. Showcase the technology at a faculty meeting at least two months before teachers will start to implement. 7. Once you’ve identified and solved a pain point, excitement over the new technology becomes contagious.