Schools are catching onto tech’s playbook

Key takeaways

Technological innovations in education have a long history, often driven by business motives under the guise of democratization.
Research shows limited evidence that educational technology improves learning outcomes, and much of it is industry-funded.
Code.org played a pivotal role in scaling computer science education in schools, using viral marketing and curriculum packages to reach millions.
Big tech companies use 'deep lobbying' by funding nonprofits and curriculum development to influence education policy and content transparency is crucial.
The focus of tech in education is shifting rapidly towards AI, demanding adaptation from schools, but critical thinking and broad skills remain essential.
Educators and students should question the influence of industry, prioritize comprehensive skills, and prepare for the societal implications of AI, rather than just industry-driven skills.

Summary

The History of Tech in Education

This section traces the recurring theme of technology companies aiming to revolutionize education, from Thomas Edison's early ideas of using projectors in classrooms to modern attempts with computers, iPads, and now AI. It highlights the pattern of charismatic tech innovators believing their products can democratize and improve learning, driven partly by business motives such as sales and market expansion, rather than purely educational benefits.

Effectiveness of Educational Technology

Discussing research on the impact of edtech, including the 'One Laptop Per Child' initiative in Peru, which found that giving laptops did not improve learning outcomes but increased digital skills. It emphasizes the lack of rigorous evidence supporting edtech's efficacy in improving education and notes that much of the research is funded or influenced by the tech industry itself.

The Rise of Code.org and Schools’ Curriculum Shift

This part explores how Code.org was launched as a viral campaign promoting coding in schools, backed by tech giants like Google and Microsoft. It became instrumental in making computer science a valued subject. It also contrasts this startup approach with traditional academic efforts, such as the development of broader-based courses like AP Computer Science Principles, which aim to diversify participation and include more context about societal impacts.

Industry Influence and Deep Lobbying in Education

The episode investigates how tech companies fund nonprofit groups and even school programs to promote their products and agendas (referred to as 'deep lobbying'). Examples include funding for social media safety through PTAs and curriculum development, raising questions about transparency and the influence of corporate interests in education.

The Shift from Coding to AI in Education

As the tech industry pivots from emphasizing coding to AI literacy, the episode discusses how organizations like Code.org are rebranding and adapting their curricula. There's concern over how rapidly industry shifts influence schooling, potentially sacrificing comprehensive critical thinking in favor of quick adaptations, and how this might affect students' readiness for a changing job market.

Preparing Schools for the AI Era and Industry’s Role

Concluding with an optimistic view that educators want a broad-based tech education that emphasizes critical questions about industry influence, societal impact, and responsible use of AI. The conversation reflects on the need for schools to focus on durable, transferable skills rather than just industry-driven skills, ensuring students become informed citizens capable of shaping their technological future.

Show notes

For years, big tech companies have embedded their products into the classroom whether through Google's Chromebooks or computer science curricula developed by Apple or Microsoft. The industry pushed a generation of kids to foster coding skills with the promise of high-paying jobs. Now, those students are finding themselves less in demand as AI takes over, and the industry seems to be repeating its playbook. Senior policy reporter Lauren Feiner talks to Natasha Singer, author of the new book "Coding Kids," about how big tech worked its way into the classroom, and why Natasha is optimistic about educators’ response to the AI push.