Arab Americans and the Evolution of Educational Technology

Arab American Heritage Month is a time to recognize the contributions of Arab Americans across every facet of American life—including the growing and ever-evolving field of educational technology.

Laying the Groundwork for Digital Learning

While the term “EdTech” is relatively new, the Arab American community has been involved in education innovation for decades. In the 1980s and 90s, as personal computing began to influence American classrooms, Arab American educators and engineers were instrumental in creating and adapting early digital tools for learning environments. Some contributed as developers of instructional software, others as district-level technology coordinators and education researchers, helping schools navigate the shift from analog to digital.

One of the most influential innovators of the digital age was Steve Jobs, the son of a Syrian immigrant and co-founder of Apple. Jobs transformed the world of technology through his vision for simple, elegant, user-friendly design. The tools he pioneered—from personal computers to mobile devices—have unleashed a wave of innovation that continues to transform modern learning, empowering students and educators alike.

Bridging Cultural and Technological Gaps

As public schools became more diverse, many Arab American educators used technology to help bridge linguistic and cultural gaps. These efforts included building bilingual education tools, translating instructional content, and creating digital platforms that supported English language learners. In places like Dearborn, Michigan—home to one of the largest Arab American populations in the U.S.—local educators helped pilot multimedia learning systems tailored to multilingual classrooms, laying the groundwork for many of today’s inclusive EdTech strategies.

Modern Pioneers in EdTech Innovation

Today, Arab American innovators are leading the way in designing tools that enhance collaboration, equity and access through educational technology. Here are a few:

Dr. Rana el Kaliouby is transforming the intersection of technology and social-emotional learning through her work in emotion AI. Her research into how technology can recognize and respond to student emotions supports the development of tools that improve engagement, adaptability and inclusion—key priorities in modern digital classrooms.

Dr. Ali Jadbabaie, a leading researcher in network science and professor at MIT, has focused much of his work on how AI and intelligent systems can enhance collaborative learning. His research explores how algorithms can match students with the right peers, learning materials and activities to support personalized, group-based instruction.

Hadi Partovi, co-founder of Code.org, has redefined digital literacy by making computer science education accessible to millions of students worldwide. His commitment to equity in tech education has helped school districts integrate computer science into core curricula, especially in underserved communities.

Laila Shabir, founder of Girls Make Games, is expanding access to game design education for girls and underrepresented youth. Through camps and workshops, her initiative teaches coding, storytelling and creative problem-solving—skills that open doors to STEM careers. Her work supports a more inclusive future for educational technology by empowering the next generation of creators.

Advocacy and EdTech Access

In addition to creating technology, Arab Americans have led efforts to make EdTech more inclusive. Organizations such as ACCESS (Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services) and local educational initiatives have championed digital equity, supporting initiatives that expand internet access, provide tech training for families, and advocate for culturally responsive EdTech.

Arab American scholars and technologists have also contributed to education policy discussions around data privacy, accessibility, and the ethical use of AI in schools—helping ensure that the tools we use in education are not only innovative, but also safe and equitable.

A Legacy of Innovation and Inclusion

From coding platforms and emotion-responsive AI to immersive STEM tools and multilingual learning resources, Arab Americans’ innovations have helped shape how schools teach, connect and grow in the digital age. Their work continues to inspire a future where learning is more inclusive, engaging and connected in every classroom.