Dive Brief:
- Apple and IBM are teaming up to create a data analytics tool for teachers, reportedly called the “Student Achievement App.”
- The program is tentatively scheduled to launch in four school districts next year, including Coppell School District in Texas, where representatives gave a presentation Monday.
- Though EdSurge reports that details are currently few and far between, it seems the app will provide teachers with performance information on a student-level basis and offer grade- and subject-specific information and support for teachers.
Dive Insight:
Despite the firepower behind the new app, it may very well face an uphill battle. In recent months, Apple has faced considerable setbacks in the education realm. This winter, Los Angeles School District ended its controversial and unsuccessful billion-dollar deal with the technology company to provide iPads to every L.A. public school student. Since then, the district has threatened legal action against Apple unless the company offers the district a refund.
On top of that, innovations involving student data have faced heavy concern regarding privacy and security. Data breaches, which have become de rigeur in the tech industry, carry extra weight when it’s students’ data in question.
