National Summer Learning Association’s Post

When was the last time you had a positive transformational experience? The kind that inspires you to do and become better, in business and also in life. I had such an experience last weekend at #Connext2024, -the annual Harvard Business School Online event for its community of learners-, on the stunning Harvard Business School campus, in Cambridge Massachusetts. Where I got a taste of what happens when you gather people from all around the world in a conducive learning environment, with a common purpose: "Business for a Better Tomorrow" If you'd like to hear more, I wrote a short article with my 5 key takeaways from the event. Applies to business and beyond.

How do you prepare your kids for the #futureofwork? We might have some suggestions! I had the most incredible conversation with my incredible mentor, Jill Finlayson, about her thoughts on the future of work, how we can prepare students for it, and what they should be learning as early as middle and high school. It's no secret that there's an overlap between entrepreneurial skills and the skills that employers want to see in the next generation of talent, but we really got a chance to break it down. Communication, collaboration, initiative, and problem-solving are all among the #topskills that employers request in new hires, and #entrepreneurship teaches every single one of these skills in a real-world application. If you want to know more, you need to check out this conversation. It's 15 minutes long, and the perfect thing to put on while you finish all the dishes that went under the radar this week 😉 Take a listen! 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gERdidDn

Addressing Youth Awakening to the Digital Economy The digital age is upon us, and young people are at the forefront of this revolution. With smartphones and internet access becoming increasingly prevalent, a new generation is emerging with a profound understanding of technology and its potential. This presents an unprecedented opportunity for economic growth and development. However, harnessing this potential requires a strategic approach. Firstly, it is crucial to invest in digital literacy and skills development. Equipping young people with the necessary knowledge and abilities to thrive in the digital economy is paramount. This includes coding, digital marketing, data analysis, and cybersecurity. Governments, educational institutions, and private sector organizations must collaborate to provide accessible and affordable training programs. Secondly, fostering entrepreneurship is essential. The digital economy offers numerous opportunities for young people to start their own businesses. Incubators and accelerators can play a vital role in supporting these aspiring entrepreneurs by providing mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities. Creating a conducive business environment with favorable policies and regulations is also crucial. Thirdly, bridging the digital divide is imperative. Ensuring equitable access to technology and the internet is essential for inclusive growth. Governments and private sector companies should invest in infrastructure development to improve connectivity in rural and underserved areas. Additionally, affordable devices and data plans should be made available to low-income households. Finally, promoting digital safety and ethics is vital. As young people spend increasing amounts of time online, it is essential to educate them about cyberbullying, online scams, and the responsible use of social media. Promoting digital citizenship and fostering a culture of online respect should be a priority. By addressing these key areas, we can empower young people to become active participants in the digital economy. This will not only drive economic growth but also create a more inclusive and equitable society. The future belongs to those who can harness the power of technology, and it is imperative that we equip our youth with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed. #inventprojectng www.inventprojectng.com Tolu Adetayo 'Laide Ayoola Kunmi Adenipebi Akindele Oluwadara Shindara Salako-Dada Ayo Dada Basil Kings Kingsley Izimah, LL.B, B.L, Diploma in Security Studies Love Otudor Anabel Maldonado BASIT ABDULKAREEM #inventprojectng #Leadership #digital Literacy #youth #education

All, the Oregon Business Academy (OBA) is reviving Business Week (https://lnkd.in/g9-_wchn), formerly run by Young Entrepreneurs Business Week (YEBW). YEBW folded due to COVID in 2020. OBA ran its first Business Week cohort last summer at OSU, serving 100 students from diverse backgrounds. Impact statistics are shared below. To successfully revive and sustain Business Week, entrepreneurial leader volunteers are needed to guide high school students through the development of their new product ideas, business plans and pitches. The week-long role of Company Advisor is Business Week's most pivotal role. Interested candidates can learn more and apply at the link above and we ask that all candidates apply no later than April 30th for Business Week 2024, whereby we are targeting to serve 200 students, again at OSU.   Additional Business Week volunteer roles include Judge and Mock Interviewer.     Please share this information with business and entrepreneurial leaders in your network. If they can’t volunteer this year, we hope they will consider sponsoring a low-income student   2023 Impact Statistics: Business Week 2023 participants responding to an exit survey said: 97% felt their business competency had improved 95% felt more comfortable in a professional networking setting 93% felt more prepared for a job interview 93% felt they were a stronger team player  92% felt their leadership skills improved 88% felt more confident presenting in front of people   Of the 100 students who completed Business Week 2023: 45% qualified as low-income (does not include 8% which responded, "I don't know" regarding free & reduced price lunch status) A combined 54% identify as Latino (31%), Asian (15%), Black (6%), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (1%), and Native American (1%) 51% were Female, 47% Male, and 2% Non-Binary

Checking out Maikel Leon, PhD's most recent study about how AI affects learning: A new study shows that AI tools make learners more involved and perform better. Learn more about what this means for teachers, employers, and policymakers. #AI #Education #EdTech #ResearchFindings #TechInEducation #upskilling #HRleadership

Ever been hooked by a company’s grand mission, only to be disappointed when you dig deeper? 1️⃣ Take K12 Inc., now Stride, Inc., for example. They claim to "help learners of all ages reach their full potential." But when you dig into the reality, it's a more nuanced story—lawsuits, investigations, poor academic outcomes, inflated enrollment figures, and high dropout rates. All this contradicts their mission. Trust erodes, leaving us to wonder whether this company is committed to education or its bottom line. 2️⃣ Then there's Ralston College. They've always made a big deal about bringing the humanities to everyone seeking truth. I was hooked—eight FAQs about how rigorous their Master's program is, how you get in on merit, and how they won't let financial barriers stop you from participating. But then, just when you think this is an inclusive, global mission, you hit the ninth FAQ: "Only U.S. citizens can apply." It feels like a bait and switch. I was ready to hand them $60,000, but after feeling shut out, I couldn't even bring myself to watch their 45-minute podcasts, which I once loved. This misalignment between what they say they do and what they actually do doesn't mean Ralston isn't invested in the pursuit of truth. They've got testimonials, people taking a year off to study, and they're not taking government money to keep their ideological independence. But at the end of the day, they make it sound like they're serving the world when they're only serving the U.S. market. When companies like Ralston make big promises and fail to deliver, they do more than just disappoint—they erode the trust that could have fueled their success. This distrust spreads like a contagion, turning potential supporters into skeptics, partners into critics, and employees into deserters. So here’s a question: How do YOU rebuild trust in a company that made promises that didn't match reality? #education #branding #edtech

What does a completing a bootcamp mean for you? We caught up with Nellie Allsop to find out what she learnt on the course, which has led to her career in the tech industry, including being a Notion ambassador and supporting #tech businesses better understand how to support their #talent. Skills Bootcamp Hull and East Riding Bev Wallman Simon Allen Leicester City Council Suffolk County Council Connected Innovation Greater Lincolnshire LEP

In the recent edition, E-Learning Visionaries: Stories of Inspiring CEOs and Founders, The Education View magazine gladly features Mark Miller, President and Executive Director at The Miller Institute for Learning with Technology. Read More: https://bit.ly/3Y3sfkk #MarkLMiller #EducationalTechnology #EdTechExcellence #LeadershipInEducation #TheEducationView #GlobalEducationMagazine

Ready to take your business to the next level? Don't miss out on our Sayers Solutions Summer School to gain strategic insights and optimize your organization. Register now before it's too late! Link in bio for more details and to get tickets. #SayersSolutions #SummerSchool #BusinessGrowth #StrategicInsights #RegisterNow

#FridayThoughts I am often asked by school district leaders which of the hundreds of companies they should work with in #edtech. Education is a market fueled by relationships, trust and innovation where mission driven student success is essential to every conversation. What I have observed is that education solutions that engage in authentic actions and create powerful solutions need great teams to make inroads into the education environment. These products need to gain a foothold and then help create behaviors & habits of using their tools in a district or school to "stick" around. Effective teams make that happen. I have gotten to witness the joy of several effective teams recently and would like to celebrate the companies who build great teams of people to help make education better for all. 👀 Look out for great teams, they deliver great products! “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” — Henry Ford #Teamwork #Joy #edtech #impact #edleaders ClassLink Jerri Kemble, Jamie Meola Saponaro, Rachel Van Aken; Adobe Tanya Avrith, Jesse Lubinsky, Wezi Thindwa Ed.S. Martha Bongiorno, Chris Craft; CDW Doug Konopelko, Victoria Thompson, M.S.; Breakout EDU Adam Bellow #education #technology #partners #solutions #k12 #grateful Future of Education Technology Conference, District Administration, ETC (Media & Events)