Tech in the Classroom: Bridge or Barrier?

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Melissa Avilés-Ramos, Chancellor of NYC Public Schools, and Jack Lynch, CEO of HMH.

The session addressed the ongoing tension between the benefits and drawbacks of classroom technology. With 72% of U.S. teens reporting they feel happier without their smartphones—despite near-universal usage—educators and parents are grappling with how tech impacts student wellbeing and learning. Speakers discussed policies like school phone bans and examined how technology can be thoughtfully integrated to enhance education without eroding human connection. This honest conversation focused on how to strike the right balance between innovation and meaningful interaction to truly support student success in a digital age.