Welcome Message
Welcome to the 4th Edition of "Forward Thinking:
EdTech Insights"
This issue is dedicated to helping you position yourself for change. Are you ready for change? Perhaps you're still navigating the complexities of work/life balance, or maybe you're considering a complete career shift. Whatever your situation, we aim to provide valuable resources to support you.
In this issue, we’ll provide some articles and resources to achieve your next goals:
• Cultivating a mindset for change
• Reviewing our trends list to ensure your skills are up to date
• Reflecting on your ideal work/life balance
• Managing anxiety and integrating it into your life without disruption
We hope you enjoy this edition of our eMagazine. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, ideas for future articles, or if you or someone you know is interested in contributing.
Happy reading!
Dr. Sher Downing Editor’s Note
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Got a burning question or a topic you'd like us to cover? Drop us an email at edtechclients@downingedtechconsulting.com, and we'll make sure to address it in an upcoming issue. Let's dive in and unleash that entrepreneurial spirit together!
In the Headlines
This issue, we're focusing on the dynamic and evolving landscape of education. It's an exciting and turbulent time as we embrace AI and recognize the challenges in other areas that lead to adoption issues.
As the job market fluctuates, it's essential to keep your skills updated. Indeed offers a valuable article on the 10 best skills to put on your resume, complete with examples and FAQs. It's a must-read for anyone updating their resume. Additionally, refreshing your LinkedIn profile to align with your new resume is crucial.
If you're struggling to identify and focus on your skills, the Skill Matcher tool at CareersOneStop can be incredibly helpful. It allows you to see your strengths and interests through a new lens.
We're also addressing how to manage anxiety. It's important to recognize that anxiety management is a skill that can be developed. For strategies on balancing life and building resilience.
In this edition, don't miss Jeremy’s article, "Stress Less: Essential Tips for Service Industry Success," which offers practical tips to manage stress and anxiety effectively on page 12.
Our Picks: Must Reads & Influencers
Keeping up with the constant stream of news and updates in your social media and news feeds can be challenging. We're here to help by highlighting key must-reads and influencers that will impact your organization. Follow these individuals on LinkedIn to learn from their expertise and insights.
Business
Josh Chernikoff: With a global view and extensive experience in education and business, Josh offers insights into market evolution and steps to move your business forward. linkedin.com/in/joshuachernikoff
Prashant Raizada: Founder of Lumi Network, Prashant discusses creating opportunities for the next generation and integrating AI into the workforce. linkedin.com/in/prashant-raizada
Alisa Cohn: A global CEO Coach and startup advisor, Alisa shares valuable insights for maintaining business balance and managing external impacts. linkedin.com/in/alisacohn
Higher Education
Phil Hill: An Educational Technology Consultant and Industry Analyst, Phil provides the latest research and information on higher education trends. linkedin.com/in/phildhill
Dr. Scott Levine: A Higher Ed Consultant, Dr. Levine focuses on policies and shares key information from other experts. linkedin.com/in/scotthlevine
Dr. Bryan Alexander: As a Senior Scholar at Georgetown University, Dr. Alexander examines the global issues impacting higher education. linkedin.com/in/bryannalexander
K12
Dr. Joe Phillips: A CIO who emphasizes the importance of technology-driven learning while maintaining a balanced approach.linkedin.com/in/drjoephillips
Philip Martell: A Superintendent and futurist who engages institutions and governments to create opportunities for students and impact the global economy. linkedin.com/in/philipmartell-093579aa
Chrissybil Boulin: Founder of Jump Start Tutoring and Vero Learning, Chrissybil has made significant contributions to elementary and secondary education. linkedin.com/in/chrissybilboulin-a348b4114
Tech Tool Box
Wondering why your application isn’t getting noticed? Or why are you sending out so many job applications without hearing back?
The answer is technology. HR departments and recruiters now use technology, including AI, to sort and process applications.
Here’s a list of the top 25 tools being used and a brief explanation of what they do: https://blog.imocha.io/techrecruiting-tools
Here's an updated list of the best EdTech tools currently available on the market: https://www.teachthought.com/technology/essential-edtechtools/
Another list shows just how fast AI is growing. Here’s 168 best tools of 2024: https://www.synthesia.io/post/ai-tools
Tech Tool Box
If you’re feeling behind in the AI trend, try picking up a free course:
If you're unsure about your needs, we're here to assist you. With our vast experience in testing and implementing various products, feel free to reach out and ask us how we can help you today!
Contributed by: Matthew Ramey Chief Strategy Officer
The Crucial Role of Customer Feedback in Quality Improvement
Customer feedback is often heralded as the cornerstone of continuous improvement. It is the bridge that connects providers with the recipients of their services or products, offering invaluable insights that can drive enhancements and innovation. Whether for a large organization, a small business, or an individual seeking personal growth, understanding and leveraging customer feedback is essential for sustained success and development.
Insight into Performance and Quality
Customer feedback provides a direct line of sight into the performance and quality of a service, product, or personal endeavor. For organizations, this feedback can highlight areas where processes are failing or succeeding, allowing for precise adjustments. Individuals can also benefit by receiving constructive criticism that can guide their personal and professional development. This feedback loop ensures that efforts are aligned with the expectations and needs of those being served.
Enhancing Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty
Listening to customer feedback is not just about identifying flaws; it is also about recognizing what works well. Positive feedback reinforces successful strategies and practices, enabling their continuation and amplification. By addressing concerns and making necessary improvements, organizations and individuals can enhance customer satisfaction, fostering loyalty and trust. When customers feel heard and valued, they are more likely to remain engaged and supportive.
Fostering Innovation and Adaptability
Feedback from customers can be a “goldmine” of ideas and suggestions that can spark innovation. It opens up new perspectives and opportunities for improvement that may not have been previously considered. Organizations that actively seek and implement customer feedback are often more adaptable and resilient, able to pivot and evolve in response to changing demands and market conditions. Similarly, individuals who embrace feedback can continuously refine their skills and approaches, staying relevant and competitive.
Building Stronger Relationships
Engaging with customers through feedback fosters stronger relationships based on mutual respect and understanding. It demonstrates a commitment to excellence and a willingness to listen and act on customer input. This proactive approach can create a sense of partnership, where customers feel they have a stake in the success of the service or product. For individuals, soliciting feedback shows humility and a desire for growth, strengthening interpersonal connections and professional networks.
Facilitating Accountability and Transparency
Customer feedback mechanisms promote accountability and transparency. When organizations and individuals openly seek and respond to feedback, they build a culture of continuous improvement and integrity. This transparency not only boosts credibility but also sets a standard for ethical behavior and accountability. By regularly sharing how feedback has been used to make improvements, providers can demonstrate their commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.
Implementing Effective Feedback Systems
To harness the full potential of customer feedback, it is crucial to implement effective feedback systems. This includes creating multiple channels for feedback, such as surveys, interviews, social media, and direct communication. Additionally, it is important to analyze and act on the feedback in a timely and constructive manner. Organizations and individuals should prioritize closing the feedback loop by communicating the actions taken in response to customer input, reinforcing the value of their contributions.
How to Effectively Collect and Use Customer Feedback
1. Create Multiple Feedback Channels
Offer various ways for stakeholders to provide feedback, such as surveys, social media, email, and in-person meetings. This ensures diverse perspectives and wider participation.
Tip: Use tools like Google Forms for structured surveys and monitor social media platforms for spontaneous feedback.
2. Ask the Right Questions
Design your feedback collection methods to elicit specific, actionable insights. Avoid vague questions and focus on areas where feedback can directly impact improvements.
Tip: Instead of asking, “Are you satisfied with our service?” ask, “What specific improvements would you like to see?” or “How can we better meet your needs?”
3. Analyze and Act on Feedback
Collecting feedback is only the first step. Analyzing the data to identify patterns and actionable insights is crucial. Use these insights to make data-driven decisions.
Tip: Use tools like Qualtrics or Excel to analyze feedback data and generate reports that highlight key trends and areas for improvement.
4. Communicate Changes
When you make changes based on feedback, communicate these updates to your stakeholders. This shows that you value their input and are committed to continuous improvement.
Tip: Send out newsletters or post updates on your website and social media channels to inform stakeholders about new initiatives or improvements made based on their feedback. Better yet, create a feedback section to your user portal, website or newsletter dedicated to updates and changes. This creates a mechanism that customers can rely on for communications of this nature.
5. Follow Up
After implementing changes, follow up with stakeholders to gather additional feedback. This helps gauge the effectiveness of the changes and identify any further improvements needed.
Tip: Use follow-up surveys or personal outreach to ask stakeholders about their experience with the updated service or product. Don’t leave your most valuable innovation assets in the dark. When you work with specific clients to gather input or to make improvements, take the time to personally visit with them on how their input made a difference and how their efforts affected the outcome.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the strategic use of customer feedback is pivotal not only for driving continuous improvement but also for cultivating customer loyalty. By actively soliciting and attentively listening to feedback, individuals and organizations signal a genuine commitment to understanding and meeting customer needs. This proactive approach not only addresses concerns promptly but also identifies opportunities to enhance products or services based on direct customer insights.
Furthermore, responding effectively to feedback demonstrates responsiveness and a dedication to delivering exceptional experiences, which are essential for building trust and loyalty. When customers see their input directly influencing positive changes and personalized interactions, they feel valued and connected to the brand on a deeper level. This mutual exchange fosters a sense of partnership and loyalty, where customers are more likely to remain loyal advocates and continue to engage with the brand over time.
Ultimately, integrating customer feedback into business strategies not only drives operational excellence but also nurtures enduring relationships built on transparency, responsiveness, and mutual respect. Embracing customer feedback isn't just about improving products or services it's about forging lasting bonds that sustain loyalty and drive mutual success in today's competitive landscape.
Contributed by: Jeremy Hopper Senior Director of Learning Solutions
Stress Less: Essential Tips for Service Industry Success
The workplace is a breeding ground for stress and anxiety. We all know this by now. Whether we’re able to pinpoint the exact source of anxiety or we’re just feeling bogged down by the sum of it all, it’s a constant companion. Sometimes it’s light enough that we get by just fine and other times we can feel crushed by the weight of it. There’s a certain ebb and flow, as there is in most facets of work, that we have become more or less accustomed to. But what are the factors that contribute to our stress, and what can we do to manage it?
Change is a big factor in stress and anxiety. Even outside the workplace, it’s a major influencer. Change can often be scary, even when it’s for the best. We’re stepping into something new and unknown. We can approach it with confidence, but there will still be those shadowy what-ifs and unforeseen occurrences that can have us falter despite said confidence.
In the service industry, we’re constantly at the mercy of those we’re working for. We have to work diligently to meet demands, hit targeted goals, meet tight deadlines, and produce quality work to the satisfaction of our business leaders or clients. When we’re constantly concerned with so many factors, it’s only natural to feel their burden. It’s a universal experience. The only variance is the degree to which we feel the anxiety and the things that trigger it.
So, what can we do to deal with anxiety and stress when they begin to creep in? There are a few ways to approach this and what works best will depend on what you need in that moment. But here are a few tips and tricks to try out next time you’re feeling it start to take over:
Insights From Our Downing EdTech Team Experts
Mindfulness: Anxiety is essentially our mind existing in the worries of what’s to come. We are removing ourselves from the present and focusing on the future. By practicing a form of mindfulness, we can bring ourselves back to the present. Breathing exercises are one form of mindfulness, wherein we focus on our breathing, inhaling deeply for a number of seconds, holding our breath, and then exhaling for a number of seconds. By repeating this breathing pattern, we can recenter ourselves and become more focused on what is currently happening, rather than worrying about what has yet to happen. Another way to practice mindfulness is by focusing our attention on what our bodies are feeling. We can put our focus on our feet, our hands, our ears - anywhere that takes our minds off of what is happening outside of us. Through this, we can realign with the present and give our minds a respite from the anxiety of the future.
Communication: By communicating our emotions surrounding stress, we can begin to offload some of the burdens it has brought us. Sometimes this can lead to talking things out and relieving some of the anxiety around our fears. Even if this isn’t the case, though, we are still benefiting from letting it all out, rather than letting it fester inside and bog us down even more. Communication can come in the form of therapy or even just conversations with friends and family. This plays into the next tip for stress relief,
Community: By developing a community of supportive individuals, we can reap the benefits of having peers with whom we can share our stressors, get support and assistance, and pursue stress-relieving habits and hobbies. Community lets us know that we’re not in this alone, which can help alleviate much of the tension we feel around our anxieties.
Anxiety and stress are always going to factor into our lives in some way or another. What’s important is how we learn to deal with it. By letting it build and grow, we are succumbing to its negative influences. But by harnessing it and learning to deal with it in healthy ways, we can mitigate its effects and even learn to limit it to a motivational tool to drive our performance. The trick is to find what works and stick to it.
Recent Podcast Episodes
In the May episode of the EdTech Speaks podcast, Dr. Sher Downing interviews
Annette Levesque, a pioneer in the e-learning space!
JUST RELEASED!
Annette shares her extensive experience in virtual education, emphasizing the importance of a humancentric approach to online learning. She discusses the need to enhance access to education and tailor learning experiences to meet diverse learner needs.
Takeaways and key topics:
• Increasing Access to Education
• Importance of Needs Assessments and Feedback
• Leadership in E-Learning
• AI's Role in Education
• Balancing Technology and Human Connection
Dive into the innovative world of Reading.com with Stephanie Barber and her play-based learning app.
Don't miss this enlightening conversation on empowering young readers and bridging educational gaps with cutting-edge digital tools.
When talking about the app, Stephanie says, "Reading.com is a way to reach a lot of people and make a big impact in providing high-quality education to the masses."
Events & Resources
2024 EdTech Conference Calendar
Explore the latest in educational technology conferences organized by leading education associations and industry groups in 2024. Use the filters in the table below to sort by sector, geography, and date. Look for the "Industry" tag to find conferences with a strong focus on business, investment, and finance.
https://www.reachcapital.com/2024-edtech-conference-calendar/
SCHEDULEANAPPOINTMENT
SEEHOWWECANHELPMOVEYOURIDEASFORWARD
Class Central - List of Learning Conferences in 2024
Class Central has compiled a list of online learning conferences taking place in 2024. This list is updated as new events are announced. There is also a list of conference recordings with hundreds of hours of online educational talks.
https://www.classcentral.com/report/online-learning-conferences/
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