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Kyle Berger: Driving Innovation in Our Field
A technology trendsetter in search of the next way he can help students succeed.
INTERVIEW | by Victor Rivero
Kyle Berger is an accomplished Chief Technology Officer with over 23 years of K-12 technology leadership experience in Texas’ public education system. He has served various districts of diverse sizes and demographics, successfully leading one-to-one deployment, district revitalization, and bond programs.
Kyle is a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Technology Director of the Year for Texas, 2020 National Edtech Leadership Winner, Institutional Leadership Award for Interoperability, and Top 100 Influencers in Edtech by EdTech Digest. In 2023, Kyle was named one of 16 nationwide by the COSN Impact 30 Award as a leader impacting educational technology and leading change into the future. Kyle also has been invited to the White House to discuss K-12 cyber security at the national level.
Kyle’s transformative work has been recognized in educational technology magazines, industry case studies, and published books on Educational Technology. He is a highly respected and sought-after speaker, frequently presenting on educational technology transformation to corporations and school systems around the country. Kyle currently serves as a member of several corporate advisory boards and as Chief Technology Officer for Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, a school district of 14,000 students located in North Texas. Under his leadership, the district has overseen the top virtual school in Texas and ranked fifth in the country for the past decade, while also developing State Championship Esports programs for high school competitions.
For these reasons and more, Kyle Berger is The EdTech Trendsetter Awards Winner for School Leader Setting a Trend as part of The EdTech Awards 2024 from EdTech Digest.
As part of his quest to expand his horizons and continually learn and challenge himself to bring back innovative applications into his schools, Kyle is headed to Japan this fall to visit schools there to collaborate on how they are integrating technology and finding the balance that continues their educational success. He’ll meet with, among others, executives from Japan-based Epson to review growing trends in education in Japan and the US. Before he heads out, he sat down with EdTech Digest to talk about purpose in education, AI in education, thoughtful integration of technology—and what’s just ahead.
What does it mean to be honored as part of The EdTech Awards 2024 in the context of now even further acceleration of technology with AI in education?
As an educational technology leader with over two decades of experience, I am both humbled and energized to be recognized among the visionaries in The EdTech Awards 2024. This honor comes at a pivotal moment in education, as we navigate the transformative integration of AI into our learning ecosystems. The rapid advancements in AI are not just changing how we teach and learn; they’re revolutionizing our ability to understand and support student growth on an unprecedented scale.
‘The rapid advancements in AI are not just changing how we teach and learn; they’re revolutionizing our ability to understand and support student growth on an unprecedented scale.’
From your unique vantage point as someone with a long record of bringing innovation with technology for learning into your school district, what really is the transformative potential of AI in education?
The shift towards experiential learning is reshaping our approach to education. By emphasizing hands-on experiences and certification achievements, we’re empowering students to become active partners in their educational journey. This aligns with the growing focus on career readiness and employability highlighted in higher education trends for 2024.
You are clearly a leader among school districts, and it hasn’t been easy. Could you talk more about your purpose in education that helps drive you forward?
Being recognized alongside other leaders in The EdTech Awards 2024 is a testament to the collective efforts driving innovation in our field. This honor for me reinforces our responsibility to continually advance educational practices and embrace emerging technologies.
‘This honor for me reinforces our responsibility to continually advance educational practices and embrace emerging technologies.’
As educators and technology leaders, we must remain focused on the essence of education for all. I challenge us to innovate and explore new methodologies while maintaining a crucial balance between technological advancement and meaningful human interaction. The expansion of virtual and augmented reality applications, as well as the emphasis on collaborative technologies, presents exciting avenues for enhancing the learning experience.
What do you see in the near future of learning and technology, and what is some advice you might provide others in our field?
Looking ahead, the future of learning over the next decade will undoubtedly be shaped by our ability to adapt and collaborate. As we continue to integrate AI, prioritize digital literacy, and foster experiential learning opportunities, we must remain committed to creating inclusive, engaging, and effective educational environments that prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
By thoughtfully integrating AI into our educational systems while preserving the essential human elements of teaching, we can create more engaging, effective, and equitable learning experiences for all students.I’m honored to be recognized among other innovative leaders in The EdTech Awards 2024, and I’m excited to continue collaborating with educators and technologists to shape the future of learning. Together, we can harness the power of AI to support our students and educators, preparing them for success in an increasingly digital world.
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