May 2024 EdTech Catalyst: Elevating Education Innovation in Michigan!

An item from a US-based K-12 online learning program.

View in browser

A Note from Michigan Virtual As the school year wraps up, we’re gearing up for our 2024 EdTech Catalyst programming! If you’re part of Michigan’s education community with an innovative idea or new business to enhance teaching or learning, here’s what you need to know. Our EdTech Innovation Bootcamp is a live Zoom event taking place from June 17 – 20, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. daily. It’s designed to help you develop your EdTech idea and deepen your understanding of education technology innovation and entrepreneurship. Participation in the Bootcamp is strongly encouraged for those planning to enter the Michigan Virtual EdTech Pitch Contest, although it’s not mandatory if you’re attending solely for the Bootcamp. The EdTech Pitch Contest has two rounds. For the first round, submit your pitch deck and video by July 7, 2024. Five finalists will then present their pitches live on Zoom on July 18, 2024. Save the dates to participate or watch the final presentations! For all event details and registration links for the Bootcamp, visit our EdTech Catalyst page. Best, Scott Watkins Senior Director, Business Strategy

Get Innovative!  Have an innovative idea that you want to explore, grow, and share? Here are some opportunities and resources if you’re ready to launch! EdTech Shark Tanks Are you an EdTech entrepreneur with a growing startup? If so, you might be ready for the 2024 EdTech Week Shark Tanks! The event is held in New York City in October, but participation applications are due June 15th.  Learn more on their website! ASU + GSV Summit The 2024 ASU + GSV Summit brought together leaders in education, technology, and business over 4 days in mid-April to discuss and promote innovation and investment in the education sector. Michigan Virtual, with generous support from GSV, hosted a group of Michigan educators, including our 2023 EdTech pitch winners, at the conference, ensuring the voice of Michigan educators plays a role in shaping the future of education. If you couldn’t attend but are interested in the conference, you can see many of the main sessions online in the GSV Video Library.

AI Lab Spotlight The team from the AI Lab at Michigan Virtual has stayed quite busy in the past month, as the topic of AI in education is still near the top of many discussions among educators and students. AI Literacy Day Michigan Virtual was honored to participate in the first National AI Literacy Day by hosting a webinar featuring a conversation with their AI Strategist, Justin Bruno, and sharing highlights of some of the work that Michigan Virtual has been doing with districts around the state. The team also continued its work with dozens of organizations to plan for professional learning and strategy implementation around the topic of AI in the 2024-25 school year. Many schools are forming task forces or committees to develop policy, deliver professional learning to staff, and engage in critical conversations with students about the role that AI will play in their lives and careers. Khanmigo Pilot The AI Lab is also concluding the first semester of its pilot of Khanmigo from Khan Academy. Twenty teachers and more than 650 students across 13 Michigan school districts participated in a pilot to learn how the use of this AI tutor might support educators and learners in Algebra 1 courses. Participants noted the benefits of having accurate, on-demand support and an avenue for students to have guided and guarded ways to leverage the power of generative AI. For more resources and updates on the AI Lab, visit our website.

Ready? Set? Pitch!  Whether you have a groundbreaking idea or want to witness the next big thing, the Michigan Virtual Pitch Contest is the place to be. Register for our Edtech Innovation Bootcamp (June 17-20) to help you prepare your pitch! Visit our event website for full information on the Bootcamp and the pitch contest.

Stay Connected Don’t miss out on the latest updates, insights, and opportunities Michigan Virtual has to offer. Follow us and stay connected with the Michigan innovation community using our socials link below. Thank you for being a valued member of the Michigan Virtual community! Let’s continue to collaborate and shape the future of innovation together. Did you miss our last newsletter? Read our April 2024 Issue

Michigan Virtual, 920 Municipal Way, Lansing, Michigan 48917