Teachers have to be particular about which edtech products they allow into their classroom. They only have a finite amount of time and resources, so they can’t afford to waste them on products that don’t serve a purpose. When edtech companies are making a sales pitch to teachers, you need to demonstrate that you can meet their needs. Here are the five most frequently asked questions that your edtech company should be prepared to answer for teachers.

Is this product useful to me or my students?

One of the most significant issues with edtech is that there are too many choices. Not all of them are designed by educators, and these programs struggle to solve a real classroom problem. It makes sense that teachers would first need to ask whether a product is useful to them or to their students. They want to know which problem you are attempting to solve so they can evaluate the results of the program or device. Will it make their lives easier? Be sure to include who this product is designed to help and how it works for the most successful presentation.

Do you have any evidence that it works?

Most teachers and school districts don’t want to spend their precious dollars on a product that doesn’t work. You need hard evidence and numbers that demonstrate how your product can work effectively in a classroom similar to their own. Invest in research studies and validation for your product. If you don’t have any of this information available, then you should partner with an interested school district to help set standards of achievement for your product.

Has your product worked in other classrooms?

Teachers want to see more than just the hard numbers that your product is effective. They need to know that other teachers have used it and loved it. Make sure to include information that you received from feedback surveys at other schools. An educator is more apt to take advice from another teacher than they are from an edtech representative. This feedback and constructive criticism could help another teacher to make a wise investment in your product.

How easily is this implemented in the classroom?

Schools often lack a full IT department that can help them implement new products. In fact, many teachers are on their own when it comes to incorporating a new device or a new program into their curriculum. Teachers need to know what the implementation process is and what sort of training you provide. Keep in mind that they might see lengthy training as a sign that your product is too involved to use on a daily basis.

Is there ongoing support for this product?

Because teachers don’t always have access to tech professionals, they want to know if there is going to be more support for educators long-term. Include information about customer service and continued professional development in your sales pitch to teachers. This can help to put their minds at ease regarding what your company offers.