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Education & Technology: IT Innovation in Education Systems

In a discussion about IT innovation in education, Todd Borland and Dr. Jack Green explore the role of technology in enhancing educational systems. Key initiatives include the growth of eSports leagues and the use of Blockchain for secure student records. The approach emphasizes technology's role in fostering student engagement and improving administrative processes.

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Education & Technology: IT Innovation in Education Systems

Key takeaways

01

The eSports league initiated by Todd Borland in Oklahoma now involves over 30 school districts and 1,000 students.

02

Blockchain technology is used for secure, electronic delivery of student diplomas and transcripts.

03

Technology in education extends beyond infrastructure maintenance to driving innovation and student engagement.

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On this episode of On Air with Pinnacle, Host James Kent spoke with Todd Borland, Executive Director of Technology, Union Public Schools, Tulsa, OK, and Dr. Jack Green, Solutions Leader for PK-12 and Higher Education Partners, Pinnacle Business Systems about the evolving role of IT departments in education systems, from helping start eSports leagues in the schools, to issuing electronic diplomas and transcripts via secure data methods like Blockchain. Borland started off the conversation with his experience of starting the first eSports league in the Oklahoma K-12 education system. In a short period of time, the league has grown to over 30 Oklahoma school districts participating, with more than 1,000 kids involved.

What Borland discovered, was the eSports league increased social interaction amongst kids who had traditionally shied away from other sports, even if they participated only as spectators. For other IT departments that may want to help their schools start up their own eSports league, Borland said there were many community resources and vendors available who be more than happy to assist you.

Borland sees his IT role in the education system as more than just keeping the network up and running; it’s to provide solutions to help educate kids, and innovative ideas to make education processes run smoother. One of those ideas Borland discussed was using secure Blockchain technology to provide his school district’s diplomas and transcripts electronically. One of the benefits of this was to provide a quick, and secure way to give students, as early as the sophomore level, access to their transcripts so they could see how their grades fit into the overall picture. If they want to have a conversation with a guidance counselor about their grades, they now have quick access to that information. The security blockchain provides helps protect that diploma and those transcripts from being tampered with.

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About the Experts

II
Industrial Iot
TB
Todd Borland

Executive Director of Technology

Union Public Schools, Tulsa, OK

Todd Borland is the Executive Director of Technology at Union Public Schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He initiated the first eSports league in the Oklahoma K-12 education system, which expanded to over 30 school districts and engaged more than 1,000 students. Borland focuses on leveraging technology, such as Blockchain for secure transcripts, to enhance educational processes.

DJ
Dr. Jack Green

Solutions Leader for PK-12 and Higher Education Partners

Pinnacle Business Systems

Dr. Jack Green serves as the Solutions Leader for PK-12 and Higher Education Partners at Pinnacle Business Systems. He specializes in developing and implementing IT solutions that advance educational systems and enhance learning experiences.

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