The Value of Risk in Edtech

The idea of trial and error (aka failure) used to be a tricky subject in education circles. Now during pandemic times, it has become part of the process whether we like it or not. Al Kingsley, CEO of Netsupport believes that some new aspects of this risk-taking culture should remain, in both industry and the classroom. In this episode of EdTech Today, Al discusses this and several other ideas imparted in his recent book release My Secret #EDTECH Diary.

Kingsley looks at educational technology through a wider lens as both executive and education advocate, who has also founded education trusts, served on several school boards. My Secret #EdTech Diary gets readers to think about the past, present, and future role of educational technology and how it influences and shapes our education system.

Education technology is nearly ubiquitous in schools but primarily in supportive roles. When the pandemic hit, technology became the only way for learning to continue as students and teachers learned and worked apart from each other. An explosion of questions then arose as school leaders, teachers, and parents then began questioning if the reliance on technology was a bane or benefit to learning. Mr. Kingsley explores these questions and lays a framework for school leaders to plan the technology-learning connection for the future.

“Some people think of edtech simply as individual and distinct solutions to single problems they find in the classroom such as how to have a video conference with 30 students,” says Kingsley. “But this is the sea-change moment when we want to expand that view and be strategic in selecting and integrating learning technology. Now is the time to be visionary, and plan where tech fits in, where it doesn’t, and solidify its role as a learning product, not just tech for tech’s sake.”

Kingsley has spent over 30 years working and volunteering in the education sector and this book brings together his knowledge and experience of education technology to share in an easy-to-read conversational format. My Secret #EdTech Diary is not only a commentary on educational technology, it is a helpful guide of tips and suggestions for best practice, suggested questions schools should ask themselves and vendors as they plan for and select solutions. Mr. Kingsley gives advice on co-producing solutions with vendors, and includes practical checklists, guidance in strategic planning, and contributions from trusted peers in the industry.

Listen to Previous Episodes of EdTech Today!

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

learners
Just Thinking… About How to Bring Out the Best in Educators and Learners with Dr. Amy Alzina
September 30, 2025

Across classrooms today, student engagement is proving to be one of the strongest predictors of success. Learners who feel connected and motivated in school are not only more likely to excel academically but also more likely to approach the future with confidence and optimism. As artificial intelligence and other emerging tools reshape what’s possible in…

Read More
HVAC
Grit, Growth, and Gaining Ground in a Male-Dominated Field: What It Means to Be a Young Female Tech in HVAC
September 30, 2025

As America ramps up its focus on rebuilding infrastructure and domestic manufacturing, the skilled trades are finally getting their moment in the spotlight. With a national labor shortage in HVAC and related fields, companies are hungry for the next generation of technicians—and women are stepping into the space like never before. Only 2 percent…

Read More
service leadership
Slice of Service, Glimpse of Soul: Turning Purpose Into Outcomes With Service Leadership
September 30, 2025

Service is often measured in numbers, but numbers rarely tell the whole story. True service leadership demands outcomes that reflect transformation, not just tallies. As nonprofits face mounting pressure to prove lasting nonprofit impact, leaders are rethinking how to balance data with lived experience. Funders want results beyond attendance counts, and communities demand change…

Read More
education
Shaping the World of Education: The Broadband Industry’s Impact on Academia, Part 2
September 30, 2025

In Part 2 of this Wavelengths conversation, host Daniel Litwin continues his discussion with Chuck Girt, Chief Technology Officer at FiberLight, diving deeper into the broader ecosystem of education connectivity. While Part 1 focused on building resilient networks inside the classroom, this episode looks outward, examining how education networks must extend into homes, public spaces,…

Read More