Tomorrow’s Headlines Today provides insight on the evolving world of education and how we prepare students to work together and shape a better future.
This comes from me, John Whalen, co-founder of Edtomorrow, and someone with a deep passion for K-12 education and the evolution of learning. I am a constant student of the field, reading widely to understand how proven wisdom about teaching connects with the shifts happening in our world. I want to help educators look ahead with imagination and purpose as we prepare our schools and the world of education for tomorrow.
I invite you to dive into the three pieces we are sharing this week, each offering insights on laptops in the classroom, emerging cellphone policies, and how AI is reshaping learning.
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The Screen That Ate Your Child’s Education by Jean M. Twenge (New York Times, 11/16/25)
A growing body of research is raising a big question. Are school devices hurting student learning? Studies from the United States and around the world show that heavy in-school device use is linked to lower scores in math, reading, and science. The issue is not just a distraction. It is the shift from deep engagement to quick scrolling. Sometimes simpler tools lead to stronger thinking.
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Do Cellphone Bans Curb Teacher Burnout? by Arianna Prothero (Edweek, 11/25/25)
New research from Kennesaw State University suggests that banning cellphones in middle schools boosts teacher well-being. In two Georgia schools that locked student phones in pouches all day, teachers reported higher engagement, smoother approaches to classroom management, and stronger connections with students. Nine in ten said the ban helped them manage their classrooms, and 85 percent reported lower stress and greater job satisfaction. Early studies in other states show similar results. When phones are out of reach, teachers describe more focused learning environments and a more rewarding teaching experience.
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Future-Proofing Students: Professional Skills in the Age of AI Published by Acuity Insights
Link to Access Report: https://acuityinsights.com/professional-skills-report/#form
A new report, Future-Proofing Students: Professional Skills in the Age of AI, released by Acuity Insights, highlights a growing reality. As AI takes over more technical tasks, long-term career success depends far more on human skills than technical expertise. Research shows that 75 percent of job success stems from durable skills such as empathy, teamwork, communication, and ethical reasoning. Yet more than one-quarter of executives say new graduates lack these abilities. The report notes that COVID-19 disrupted students’ development of collaboration and communication, increasing the need for intentional instruction. Acuity Insights is a leading provider of admissions assessment and analytics tools that help higher education institutions evaluate and support the whole student. The takeaway is clear. In an AI-driven world, machines can handle tasks, but people skills drive careers.
-John Whalen, Co-Founder of Edtomorrow