From Screens to Social Skills: How Technology Enhances DEI and SEL

Purpose & objective

Purpose:
The purpose of this panel discussion is to explore the critical intersection of technology, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in the classroom. It aims to provide educators, administrators, and EdTech professionals with insights, strategies, and practical approaches to harnessing technology as a tool for fostering inclusive, equitable, and emotionally intelligent learning environments. By facilitating this discussion, the panel seeks to empower education stakeholders to leverage technology effectively in their pursuit of DEI and SEL goals.

Objectives:

Understanding the Intersection: Clarify the relationship between technology, DEI, and SEL in education, emphasizing their interplay and potential synergies.
Equity in Tech Access: Explore strategies to bridge the digital divide, ensuring equitable access to technology resources for all students, regardless of background or location.
Culturally Responsive Tech: Discuss the importance of designing and utilizing technology that respects and reflects diverse cultures, languages, and identities.
Promoting Inclusivity: Showcase practical examples of how technology can be used to create inclusive classroom environments, accommodating diverse abilities, learning styles, and backgrounds.
Fostering Emotional Intelligence: Examine how technology can be employed to develop students' social-emotional skills, promoting empathy, self-awareness, and interpersonal competence.
Professional Development: Provide guidance on professional development opportunities and resources for educators to enhance their tech-driven DEI and SEL practices.
EdTech Tools and Trends: Highlight innovative EdTech tools and emerging trends that can support DEI and SEL goals, offering insights into their effective integration.
Collaborative Learning: Promote collaboration among educators, administrators, and EdTech developers to collectively address DEI and SEL challenges and opportunities.
Assessment and Measurement: Discuss methods for assessing the impact of tech-enabled DEI and SEL initiatives and measuring their success.
Inspiring Action: Encourage panel attendees to take actionable steps in their classrooms and institutions, fostering a commitment to implementing inclusive and emotionally supportive tech practices.
Building a Network: Facilitate networking among attendees and panelists to expand their Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) and encourage ongoing dialogue and collaboration in the field.
Driving Change: Inspire education leaders to advocate for systemic change in policies, practices, and technology integration to advance DEI and SEL in education.
By achieving these objectives, the panel aims to equip education professionals with the knowledge, tools, and motivation to effectively leverage technology in the pursuit of diversity, equity, and social-emotional learning in the modern classroom.

Outline

I. Introduction (5 minutes)

Welcome and Introduction of Panelists
Overview of Panel's Purpose
II. Understanding the Intersection (10 minutes)

Defining DEI, SEL, and Tech's Role
III. Equity in Tech Access (10 minutes)

Addressing the Digital Divide
Strategies for Equal Access
IV. Promoting Inclusivity (10 minutes)

Creating Inclusive Classrooms
Accommodating Diverse Learning
V. Fostering Emotional Intelligence (10 minutes)

SEL and Technology
Impact on Empathy and Self-Awareness
VI. EdTech Tools and Trends (5 minutes)

Innovative Tools and Emerging Trends
VII. Inspiring Action (5 minutes)

Empowering Educators to Implement
Commitment to Inclusive Tech Practices
VIII. Audience Q&A (5 minutes)

Inviting Questions from the Audience
IX. Closing Remarks (5 minutes)

Summary of Key Takeaways
Gratitude to Panelists and Audience

Supporting research

"Leveraging Technology to Support Students’ Needs" by Edutopia
Teachers can apply a concept called ‘tech equity’ to ensure that the technology they use is enhancing learning for all of their students.

"How Technology Can Support DEI in Education" by eSchool News
Discusses the potential of technology to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts in education.

Common Sense Education - Provides resources and reviews of EdTech tools, including those that support SEL and inclusive practices.

I like to think my suggested panelists are experts in their fields and crucial to the panel's success.