So much is riding on the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Education secretary. Observers have been saying that her sitting on the top position as the head of the Department of Education could change the sector in a big way.
DeVos is not only expected to change education programs to further her advocacy for school choice. She is likely to also affect education technology by improving, adding or removing previous projects established during Obama's administration.
First, DeVos is going to pick who will head the Office of Education Technology (OET) under her leadership. This agency is tasked to create, implement, manage and innovate policies and programs that are in the cutting edge of development.
But DeVos' boss, President-elect Donald Trump, has expressed during his campaign about reducing the Department of Education's function, which could include scrapping funding that could impact projects under OET. DeVos herself has not made clear pronouncements on her plans for education technology.
But in a 2013 interview with Philanthropy Roundtable, she did acknowledge the impact of digital technology to learning. "It would be unconscionable not to embrace that and use it to help kids achieve their full potential in every way possible," she said.
Forbes cites two important education technology initiatives under the Obama administration that DeVos and Trump should consider. One is the #GoOpen Campaign that allowed for school districts to access copyrighted or restricted digital resources that are helpful learning tools for students, as stated on its official site.
The other is the Future Ready Schools initiative. Its thrust is to help school districts come up with "personalized digital learning strategies" to aid the students to develop more competitive skills that will prepare them for higher education and the real world.
Despite criticisms and apprehensions about her potential appointment, DeVos supporters attest she knows what's best for the Education sector. It remains to be seen if her plans will bring good changes but for now, her confirmation awaits at the Senate.
