Episode Details

Presented by Pam Shaw, Director of K-12 Quality Assurance, Quality Matters; Dr. Michelle Barrett, SVP of Research, Policy, and Impact, Edmentum; and Tatiana Ciccarelli, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, Edmentum
Moderated by Ross Romano, Director, Strategic Communications, Edmentum

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by Edmentum.

The edLeader Panel recording can be accessed here.

In an era of growing screen time concerns, K-12 educators face pressure to distinguish between passive, unproductive device use and purposeful edtech that accelerates learning. This edWeb podcast explores how to identify high-quality digital curricula and instructional tools—designed with research-backed principles, supported by evidence, and implemented with intention keeping the educator at the center—that can deliver measurable student outcomes with no need for overuse or misuse.

District, school leaders, and state leaders listening to this session learn to identify and implement digital curricula that complement core instruction, address diverse learner needs, and withstand stakeholder scrutiny. Discover what defines high-quality digital tools (rigorous standards alignment, adaptive personalization, educator integration), their proven benefits (improved engagement, attendance, skill mastery), and real-world applications that drive access and opportunity while maintaining academic rigor.

Key learning outcomes:

• Define high-quality digital curricula and evaluate vendor evidence using research standards
• Understand the key distinctions between purpose-built edtech and consumer tools
• Examine real district implementations showing how intentional integration of digital curricula amplifies, rather than replaces, the role and impact of educators
• Learn how to advocate for the resources that will best support your educators and students, and replicate success in your organization

This edWeb podcast is of interest to K-12 school leaders, district leaders, education technology leaders, and state leaders.

Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.