From February 20–22, Vosaic had the privilege of exhibiting at the annual American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) conference in New Orleans. We reconnected with partners, met new leaders, and had dozens of meaningful conversations centered on one key question: Can technology make a real difference in educator preparation?

Based on the discussions, the answer is a resounding "yes," but only if our approach is intentional and aligned with purpose.

The Tensions in a New Educational Reality

The conversation was framed with refreshing honesty by a thought-provoking panel: “Can Technology Move the Needle in Educator Prep?” featuring Dr. Carole Basile (Arizona State University), Richard Culatta (ISTE + ASCD), Dr. Cassandra Herring (BranchED), Dr. Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy (AACTE), and Dr. Ann Tapp Jaksa (Saginaw Valley State University).

Preparation programs are navigating a complex moment—facing teacher shortages, retention challenges, affordability concerns, and increased accountability—all set against the backdrop of rapid AI acceleration and digital transformation. They are being asked to prepare more educators, more flexibly, with greater clinical depth, at lower cost, and under increased political scrutiny.

A powerful idea from the discussion was the irreversible change in what we can see about learning. As Dr. Basile noted, once we can see learning more clearly through data and digital tools, “you cannot unsee it.” She explained that systems now provide data on individual student engagement, questions, misconceptions, and time spent on topics—information that makes the one-teacher, one-classroom model an impossible job without fundamentally redesigning how we prepare educators.Closing the Practice Gap

A clear theme emerged: too many programs are still centered on candidates learning about teaching rather than practicing teaching. Dr. Herring emphasized that clinical experiences are often too short or too late in the program. She argued that technology is now an accelerator designed around purposeful practice, offering high-support, low-risk rehearsal opportunities. This is exactly where AI-powered video platforms, like Vosaic, are making an immediate difference.

Richard Culatta highlighted that a significant piece of feedback from K-12 systems is that new teachers are not prepared for the reality of technology use in schools. His core message was definitive: “Every course that you teach is a technology class.” The days of stuffing a one-credit technology course into a single semester are failing future teachers; effective pedagogy, assessment, and inclusive classrooms must be taught with the technology that candidates will actually use.The Power of Scalable Feedback and Simulation

The biggest breakthrough technology offers is the ability to multiply opportunities for practice and feedback.

  • Simulation for Muscle Memory: Dr. Herring described how generative AI can power student avatars in simulation platforms. This allows candidates to practice high-leverage practices and difficult teaching moments that may never occur during a student teaching experience, building a crucial "mental muscle memory." Crucially, these are low-risk rehearsals before the stakes are real.
  • Feedback as the Accelerator: Mr. Culatta stressed that the single greatest factor in accelerating learning is doubling the amount of feedback. AI can dramatically increase this frequency, providing time-stamped, rubric-aligned insights tied to video and transcripts in a matter of seconds. This real-time, formative feedback allows candidates to reflect and iterate before meeting with their human supervisor, making those one-on-one coaching conversations more meaningful. Mr. Culatta perfectly described how colleges of education are currently using Vosaic’s video and AI tools.
  • Expanding Access: Dr. Jaksa noted the value of technology in reaching educators in geographically isolated areas, such as rural districts. Remote and simulation opportunities ensure that all candidates have access to the same level of rigorous practice, democratizing access to rehearsal and reflection. Some of Vosaic’s customers have developed new relationships with districts that were too far for placement before they started using Vosaic.

Designed for Purpose

Leaders told us they are frustrated by rigid licensing, high per-seat costs, unused seats, and overly complex tools. Vosaic was designed to address these practical needs:

  • Scaffolding at Scale: Our Free “Viewer” Seats allow every student to log in for free, watch exemplar videos, practice structured observation, and build shared instructional language before they ever need a paid upload seat. This supports a gradual learning development model.
  • Budget-Conscious Flexibility: The ability to reassign paid seats avoids wasted budget and serves more candidates efficiently across cyclical clinical experiences.
  • AI That Supports: Vosaic's AI focuses on multiplying feedback without eliminating the human relationship, supporting faster reflection cycles and stronger coaching conversations.

AACTE 2026 made one thing clear: the field is ready for change. Programs are looking for practical tools, not just hype, to address the urgency around workforce development and quality. Technology, when aligned to a purpose—supporting human relationships and strengthening practice—is the key.

Schedule a demo and start your extended trial today. Let’s move the needle together.