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Challenges to Improving the Learning Challenges to Improving the Learning
Ecosystem for Teachers Ecosystem for Parents

There are a number of challenges that teachers face in the There are a number of challenges that parents face in the current
current learning ecosystem. The following are just a few of learning ecosystem. The following are just a few of the more
the more prominent factors that affect their ability to teach prominent factors that inhibit a parent’s ability to be actively
and learn: involved in supporting their child’s learning experience:

• Student Information: Information about students • Assignment Data: Parents typically have to rely on
ranging from attendance to test scores to discipline their child to tell them what is happening in school: if
reports is often not readily available to teachers. Teachers they have homework, how they did on previous projects,
must know how to navigate disparate information what they are currently studying, and upcoming events.
systems to access vital information about an individual • Performance Data: Parents often find out about poor
student. performance when it is too late to take action.
• Professional Development: Traditional professional • Time: Parents have demanding schedules, making it
development can often be time-intensive, occurring in a difficult for them to take a more active role in education,
classroom or course setting with a sole focus on how to attend presentations, and participate in meetings about
use technology. Teachers prefer to learn based on a much school initiatives. Parents also find it difficult to meet
closer association of how to infuse the use of technology with busy teachers.
in their classroom. They also desire professional
development strategies and learning approaches that Administrators in the Ecosystem
cater to their needs for flexible, real-time learning when
they need it, individualized learning to fit their unique Administrators need an environment in which student
learning preferences and levels of understanding, and information is seamlessly integrated between management
on-going reinforcement and support when they need it. systems within the school, across schools, and with
• Curricular Materials: Teachers lack access to a government agencies. They must be able to track and
diverse body of curricular materials that allow them improve student and school progress, and be informed
to individualize the learning experience. They typically about potential problems and opportunities so they can
have access to materials that address only one learning take immediate action. Administrators need to clearly
style. communicate with parents, teachers, and the community.
• Best Practices: Teachers lack easy access to the best They must control costs, yet remain flexible and adaptable
practices of their peers. to change.
• Isolation: Many teachers feel isolated from other
teachers. They lack the opportunity to interact with their In an effective and comprehensive learning ecosystem,
peers and other educators. administrators can:
• Manage their time
Parents in the Ecosystem • Streamline administration
• Employ best practices
Parents lead hectic, busy lives, and they require easy • Stay informed
access to information about their child’s education. This • Communicate with stakeholder
information enables them to take an active role in helping
their child succeed in school and in life. Parents also need Challenges to Improving the Learning
schools to streamline communication and school-related Ecosystem for Administrators
activities like buying uniforms so they have more time to
be engaged with their children. There are a number of challenges that administrators face
in the current learning ecosystem. The following are just a
In an effective and comprehensive learning ecosystem, few of the more prominent factors that affect their ability
parents can: to tend to the business of education:
• Manage their time
• Access school-related information • Data: Administrators lack the timely and accurate data
• Actively participate in education needed to take action. They know certain students are
• Track their child’s progress falling behind, but cannot pinpoint possible causes.
• Be connected and informed Administrators also lack the tools for analyzing raw data.
Many administrators use old or out-of-date information
to make important decisions.

40 EDUCATIONWORLD DECEMBER 2020