Global edtech gets a boost with new awards and family tech guides in 2026

Two major initiatives are making waves in education technology this year. The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 has opened entries worldwide, recognising groundbreaking work in digital learning. Meanwhile, the Upper Dublin Education Foundation has launched Tech Trek, a new online guide to help families manage technology use at home.

The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 will celebrate projects that demonstrate measurable impact in education. Open to organisations in the UK, the Americas, and beyond, the awards focus on workforce development, AI in learning, and creative tech solutions. Winners will be revealed on 14 January 2026 and showcased in the first print edition of the awards magazine at BETT 2026.

Developed with input from digital wellbeing experts, child psychologists, parents, and community figures, the scheme also encourages adults to set a positive example online. Judges will look for initiatives that improve learning outcomes through technology. In Pennsylvania, the Upper Dublin Education Foundation has introduced Tech Trek: *Navigating the Digital Highway*. The free online resource provides families with practical advice on device use, social media safety, and healthy screen habits. Michelle Boas, the foundation's executive director, explained that the programme equips parents with tools to support their children's digital wellbeing, engagement, and readiness for the future. Tech Trek stresses gradual skill-building before granting children online independence. It also promotes open conversations between parents and young people about gaming communities and responsible tech use. The foundation plans to raise awareness through local events and will form an advisory council to guide the programme's development.

The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 will spotlight the best in global edtech when winners are announced next January. Tech Trek, meanwhile, offers Upper Dublin families immediate support in managing technology at home. Both initiatives aim to shape how education and digital skills develop in the coming years.