How to Find the Right EdTech Tools for Public Schools

Key points:

Do public schools have the means to adopt the latest educational technology for modern teaching? After all, the days of whiteboards and lightbulb-powered screen projectors are long gone. And with the popularity of smartphones and tablets, children learn to interact with digital devices at younger ages.

Public schools must keep up with modern times. This means investing in educational technology to prepare children for the real world.

The challenges of public school financing

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a windfall of educational relief funds to public school systems across the United States. With schools closed and students locked in their homes, the government knew it would have to improve the online capabilities of all schools.

This included upgrading the country’s network infrastructure to improve Internet access in schools. It also meant freeing up funds to provide schoolchildren with laptops or smartphones to use during online classes. In fact, over a three-year period, the US government released a total of $190 billion. This money went to support virtual learning and assist in the reopening of schools and tutoring programs.

Unfortunately, the latest batch of financing, worth $122 billion, will end in September 2024. Public school systems that have not yet updated their educational technology devices will need to do so quickly. But the process of acquiring thousands of learning devices through government procurement standards can take some time.

Pandemic relief funds are a once-in-a-lifetime allocation. With limited (and perhaps even shrinking) budgets, schools must opt ​​for effective and engaging educational technology tools that can last a long time. The devices should also provide a decent return on investment (ROI).

Finding cost-effective educational technology tools

It’s tempting for schools to choose cutting-edge technology. But administrators should exercise some restraint when looking at the latest devices. Instead, schools should evaluate their technology and determine which devices most need modern upgrades.

What benefits should you look for?

Usability is the most important factor to consider when deciding on an investment in educational technology. Cost and ease of use won’t matter much if students and instructors don’t bother learning how to use a device.

Reliability is another factor worth mentioning. If an educational technology device can perform multiple functions satisfactorily, it is definitely a worthwhile investment. With reliable equipment, you spend less time operating devices and more time learning.

Lastly, manageability is also an essential feature. Digital devices need regular updates for firmware, operating system, and individual applications. When investing in educational technology devices, make sure they can easily connect to a device manager that manages, maintains and secures all connected units.

The Chromebook problem

Providing laptops, Chromebooks, or tablets to all students in the district might be an obvious choice. Take Chromebooks for example. Priced under $200, these streamlined laptops offer an affordable way to keep students online during remote classes. But three years later, many districts now report Chromebook rotation.

Portable devices are notoriously prone to damage due to improper handling or transportation, and Chromebooks are no exception. Unfortunately, these devices are more difficult to repair than regular (but more expensive) laptops. In many cases, replacement parts, such as replacement keyboards, cost almost half the price of a new Chromebook.

As a result, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund concluded that low-cost educational technology tools are not the most practical or cost-effective option. Due to their shorter-than-expected lifespan and difficulty in repair, Chromebooks are actually more expensive and less reliable than more expensive devices.

What educational technology tools should public schools prioritize?

With the education budget looming, school administrators should improve classrooms before expanding to individual students. A good starting point is to retire whiteboards, dry erase boards, projectors and video players in favor of more modern solutions. The good news for school administrators is that replacing these three old-school devices only requires investing in a single device: an interactive whiteboard.

Modern whiteboards are powerful computers that operate using touch screen technology. They can effectively play three different functions: writing instrument, video output screen and media player. What’s more, these tools offer the most potential as they work well in online, in-person, or hybrid environments.

Additionally, the usability and flexibility of digital whiteboards allow teachers to spend more time instructing and interacting with students instead of continually switching from one device to another. With this single device, instructors can present a slideshow, conduct interactive team quizzes, take a quiz, and play immersive videos.

Interactive whiteboards also encourage active learning. Students will find it more fun and engaging to participate in your lessons. For example, using an interactive whiteboard, students can explore problems and find solutions individually or as a team.

Educational technology device management

In a school system with limited funding, the goal should be to get cost-effective smart devices. Purchasing reliable, utilitarian, and highly manageable educational technology devices is a good way to spend limited resources intended to improve learning.

Of course, it’s equally important to invest in a reliable device management platform. With dozens of whiteboards and other educational technology devices on site, administrators need an efficient way to ensure they are all working as intended. Look for a solution that allows you to install updates on a single device, a group of devices, or the entire fleet remotely. The most effective management system will also allow you to track the location of devices at all times and control user access.

As long as your school interactive whiteboard is properly maintained, updated, and managed, expect this valuable investment to last a long time. Even better, school administrators will find that these educational technology devices provide a healthy return on investment as soon as possible.

Schools running out of time to make valuable investments in educational technology should consider investing in interactive whiteboards for every classroom in their districts. These devices are reliable and easy to use and manage. Additionally, most school-age children find whiteboards more attractive than other non-digital options.

When considering educational technology tools for your limited funds, be sure to reserve some room in your budget for a reliable device manager. This additional investment can pay big dividends in the long term, as your technology tools become easier to manage, maintain, and protect.