Five Ways to Combat Tech Fatigue and Support Student Success

Key points:

Ask anyone involved in public education right now and you'll hear a familiar refrain: “Too many technology tools.” Nearly all K-12 districts incorporated new technology solutions during the pandemic, accelerating an already rapid pace of tool adoption. With the pressure to solve problems quickly, many of them ended up being separate point solutions. In the 2022 to 2023 school year, school districts used an average of more thantech-use/685995/#:~:text=School%20districts%20used%20an%20average,and%20choose%20digital%20learning%20products.” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”> 2,591 different solutions. It's no wonder so many K-12 families, educators, and staff members are exhausted and stressed from technology overload. Help is coming, but not necessarily in the ideal way: with ESSER funding running outDistricts are reevaluating the impact and reach of educational technology solutions.

Evaluating the impact of educational technology solutions is logical. But there is a reason why so many of these solutions were adopted. In many cases, they are innovative and deeply aligned with what educators need to do their jobs well. With consolidation and cuts, I fear a return to the old days of outdated, clunky, poorly constructed tools that hinder educators' work.

Integrated, easy-to-use solutions can support student success. These five considerations can help districts choose solutions that will strike the right balance of consolidating tools, delighting users, and driving student success.

Choose easy-to-use educational technology solutions

Solutions should be easy to use to increase the likelihood of widespread adoption within the district. Opt for solutions that foster a seamless, consistent, and easy-to-use experience. Given the wide range of technological knowledge among educators, the onboarding process should be easy for everyone who will use the solution, regardless of experience level. Choosing intuitive, easy-to-use solutions with repeatable workflows will help save educators time and maximize impact.

Consider teacher input and feedback

Educators juggle countless responsibilities on a daily basis, so it's critical to select solutions that streamline their tasks and make their lives easier. Get feedback from the people who use the tools every day by including educators in your conversations about which edtech solutions to invest in. Additionally, seek feedback from educators in your district about solutions that their colleagues in other districts find effective. Engaging educators in these discussions not only provides valuable feedback but also uncovers new ideas that directly address the needs of those who will use them. This allows the entire K-12 community to achieve success.

Select solutions that turn student data into actionable insights

When educators can see and apply student-level data in real time, they are better equipped to help students succeed. Having accurate, well-organized, and consistent data across systems, displayed in context, allows educators to have timely and efficient access to the information they need. Look for solutions that offer data visualizations and analysis capabilities, facilitating clearer understanding and actionable insights. Solutions that enable educators to leverage data without needing data science expertise or technical expertise will positively impact their ability to take the right next steps to help improve student outcomes. By prioritizing solutions that put data directly into the hands of educators, districts can break down silos and ensure information reaches those who can use it most effectively for maximum impact.

Find evidence-based solutions that drive student success

As districts evaluate their educational technology investments, they should prioritize choosing research-based solutions. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that federal funds be allocated only to programs that meet certain standards for evidence-based interventions. Looking for solutions with ESSA badges can help district leaders ensure they are investing in educational technology solutions that have proven effective through rigorous research, fostering an environment conducive to driving student success.

Evaluate the utilization of the educational technology solution and its impact on success

A solution that is not adopted by district educators will not improve student success. District leaders should periodically evaluate who is using the solutions they are investing in. If educators aren't adopting a particular solution, leaders need to dig deeper into the trend. Data on who uses each solution can help district leaders make informed investments in tools that support both students and educators.

The right educational technology solutions can help districts ensure that all students thrive by supporting students, families, and educators. By examining key factors and approaching educational technology investments with student success at the center of decisions, districts can ensure that technology investments support the ultimate goal of improved student outcomes while managing the experience of educators.