by DR. JULIE A. EVANS, PROJECT TOMORROW CEO, RECEIVES EDTECH VISIONARY AWARD
Award recognizes outstanding contributions to transforming education through technology
Irvine, CA… Dr. Julie A. Evans, CEO Project Tomorrow, has been selected as this year’s EdTech Visionary Award recipient in recognition of her national leadership with the landmark Speak Up research about the impact of technology resources on learning experiences both in school and out of school.
In announcing the award, Victor Rivero, who as Editor-in-Chief of EdTech Digest oversees the program, offered congratulations, “To the innovators, leaders, and trendsetters of education technology, you are the way forward. Your future-focused mindset is welcomed, encouraged, and needed now more than ever—and we salute you!”
The Speak Up Research Project represents the largest annual collection and reporting on the authentic feedback of K-12 students, parents, teachers, and administrators about the current state of new learning models including digital learning. For the past twenty years, Project Tomorrow has provided an effective, and totally cost-free way for every U.S. K-12 school and district to learn what stakeholders think of their school experience and to translate these ideas into action informing local plans, policies, and programs.
In accepting the award, Dr. Evans said, “Visionary isn’t just about having a new idea – it is about translating those ideas into something that creates a momentum for transformation. That is what we do every day at Project Tomorrow.
In 2003 I created Speak Up to provide an efficient way for the voices of students, parents and educators to inform education policies, particularly around the use of digital tools and resources. At the time, so many people told me that the idea was crazy – that it would not work, that the “experts” did not want to hear from stakeholders, that technology was never going to be really used in school for learning purposes, that adults knew better than students about tech use, and even that students did not have any real good ideas to share. Fortunately, I did not listen to those naysayers then – and so look at us now! In the past 20 years not only have over 6.2 million K-12 students, parents and educators shared their views and aspirations about school, new learning models and technology use through Speak Up, but the annual research findings also regularly inform federal, state, and local policies and programs that impact schools nationwide.”
Dr. Evans is a frequent speaker at conferences and education events presenting research based on Speak Up data. She also conducts briefings for policymakers and private sector leaders and shares her knowledge in articles and blogs. Dr. Evans recently authored Free Agent Learning: Leveraging Students’ Self-Directed Learning to Transform K-12 Education, based upon Project Tomorrow/Speak Up research from 2014 – 2022 examining the experiences of 2.5 million K-12 students nationwide.
ABOUT PROJECT TOMORROW
Project Tomorrow’s nonprofit mission is to support the effective implementation of research-based learning experiences for students in K-12 schools. Project Tomorrow is particularly interested in the role of digital tools, content, and resources in supporting students’ development of college and career ready skills. The organization’s landmark research is the Speak Up Research Project, which annually polls K-12 students, parents, educators, and community members about the impact of technology resources on learning experiences both in school and out of school, and represents the largest collection of authentic, unfiltered stakeholder voice on digital learning. Since 2003, over 6.2 million K-12 students, parents, teachers, librarians, principals, technology leaders, district administrators and members of the community have shared their views and ideas through the Speak Up Project. The Speak Up Research findings are regularly used to inform local, state and national policy decisions on education fundings and programs. Learn more at www.tomorrow.org.
ABOUT EDTECH DIGEST AND THE EDTECH AWARDS
EdTech Digest, a leading source of cool tools, interviews, and trends showcasing the future of learning — annually honors the best and brightest people, products and groups working in edtech with The EdTech Awards. Cool Tool, Leadership, and Trendsetter honorees span the K-12, Higher Ed, and Skills & Workforce sectors. Learn more.
March 30, 2023
