The Tech Edvocate

Top Menu

  • Advertisement
  • Apps
  • Home Page
  • Home Page Five (No Sidebar)
  • Home Page Four
  • Home Page Three
  • Home Page Two
  • Home Tech2
  • Icons [No Sidebar]
  • Left Sidbear Page
  • My Account
  • My Speaking Page
  • Newsletter Sign Up Confirmation
  • Newsletter Unsubscription
  • Our Brands
  • Page Example
  • Protected Content
  • Register
  • Request a Product Review
  • Shop
  • Shortcodes Examples
  • Signup
  • Start Here
    • Governance
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • The Edvocate
  • Topics
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise

Main Menu

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
    • Books
    • Edupedia
    • The Edvocate Podcast
  • Topics
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development Tech
    • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
    • EdTech Futures
    • EdTech News
    • EdTech Policy & Reform
    • EdTech Startups & Businesses
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • Online Learning & eLearning
    • Parent & Family Tech
    • Personalized Learning
    • Product Reviews
  • Advertise
    • Request a Product Review
  • Apps
  • Tech Edvocate Awards
  • The Edvocate
  • Pedagogue

logo

The Tech Edvocate

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
        • My Speaking Page
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
    • Books
    • Edupedia
    • The Edvocate Podcast
  • Topics
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development Tech
    • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
    • EdTech Futures
    • EdTech News
    • EdTech Policy & Reform
    • EdTech Startups & Businesses
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • Online Learning & eLearning
    • Parent & Family Tech
    • Personalized Learning
    • Product Reviews
  • Advertise
    • Request a Product Review
  • Apps
  • Tech Edvocate Awards
  • The Edvocate
  • Pedagogue
  • Universities Use Blockchain To Streamline Student Services

  • Top 7 Education Apps for the Classroom

  • Should Parents Also Know How to Use E-Learning Platforms?

  • Advances In Text-To-Speech Technologies Help Computers Find Their Voice

  • Campuses Have Used IoT Projects to Promote Convenience, Security, and Comfort for Students

  • Home-based Learning Tips For Parents: 6 Tips For Effective Learning

  • K–12 Leaders Get Creative to Make the Case for Network Upgrades

  • Network Segmentation Boosts Wi-Fi Performance And Security For K-12 Schools

  • The IoT In Higher Education Has Big Potential If Devices Are Kept Secure

  • How Schools Are Recruiting New Teachers Virtually

Assistive TechnologyEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechHigher Education EdTech
Home›Assistive Technology›9 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying an Edtech Product

9 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying an Edtech Product

By Matthew Lynch
January 7, 2017
Spread the love

There are a lot of Edtech products on the market, and not all of them are created equal. You don’t want to be the person leaving a terrible review for a product because that means you put in the time and effort to find out that it was a terrible product. Sometimes it is a matter of you not understanding the product because you didn’t ask the right questions before making your purchase. While you can always avoid products that have bad reviews when you are dealing with edtech, there may not always be enough feedback to make an informed decision on some of the products. This is why it is critical to ask questions and assess the product based on the answers.

Fortunately, as an educator, you are incredibly familiar with asking questions (especially the tough ones). The trick is knowing what the right questions are for edtech products. You just need to learn the right questions to ask prior to checking out.

 #1 Is There Any Training Included with the Product?

The more complex the product, the more likely you are to need training. If a company offers a complex product and then requires you to pay to learn how to use it, the odds are good you can find a better product on the market. Most businesses understand that buyers want guidance until they feel comfortable with using a product, and they will provide help. Asking about training lets the company know that you want a functional product, not something that will collect dust.

 #2 Are the Developers of the Product in the Educational Field, or Are They Primarily Techies?

This question will probably be harder for companies to answer, especially a large company (startups can probably tell you not only what kind of experience the developers have, but tell you where they got their experience). Techies may be great at innovating, but they usually don’t know or don’t understand what kinds of features you need or how they will be used in a classroom. They simply do as they are told, and that usually makes a product that only resembles something that you need. If the developers were in the education field, or work with a lot of people who are in the field, then you are likely to have a product that delivers what you need.

 #3 How Is the Customer Service, and How Responsive Are They to Issues and Defects?

One of the worst failings of a company comes in the form of bad or nonexistent customer service. You should always research products before you make a purchase, and that is when you should look into the customer service offered by the provider. Whether or not you find it, check to see if the person making the sale can answer your questions. If the sales representative cannot answer questions about customer service, particularly about responsiveness, that should be a big red flag on the product.

 #4 How is the Tool Used (Hardware, Software, Device)?

Some products are incredibly nebulous when it comes to figuring out what they are, let alone how to use them. If it is an app, that is relatively easy to understand, but you need to know what platforms it is on. If it is a device, you need to find out if there is a plan that goes with it and if you will need to purchase software or something else to go with it. If it is hardware for a computer, you need to know how to install it and have an idea of how long it will take.

 #5 Do I Need to Buy Anything Else to Get the Product to Work, or to Enhance Its Potential?

Very few products come with just a single component. You need to make sure you know everything that is required to get the product to function as intended or improve its performance. For example, if you buy an app, is there a supplemental gadget that will enhance the learning process? Does it have an area for students to discuss what they learned? Many products come with additional tools. It is just a matter of asking to find out what else you will get with your purchase (or if another purchase is required).

 #6 Was the Product a Result of Research and Teacher Input?

Products are usually a response to an identified need (whether real or perceived). The question is, did the company take the time to work with teachers to ensure that the product addresses their concerns and needs, or did the company decide to tell teachers and educators what will work best? If the answer is the latter, you are probably going to be spending a lot of time working on things that are either redundant or unnecessary. If the answer is the former, the product is much more likely to solve problems specific to the educational field.

If the company relied on research alone, you have about a 50/50 chance of the product meeting your needs. Ultimately, the best products are a result of listening to the people in the field.

 #7 Is the Product Scalable and Flexible?

If you are thinking about offering the product to a small focus group, then hope to expand it in the future, you want something that is scalable and flexible. Even if you are only planning on using the product in your classroom, there is the possibility that other teachers in your school will want to try it with their students if it proves successful. If the product is scalable and flexible, you will be able to coordinate with others to bring the technology into more classrooms.

 #8 Does It Save Student Information, and If So How Is the Data Managed?

This is an understandable concern as most of the students are underage. You do not want them to be targeted by marketers and businesses because the students had to register to use the product. You need assurances from the business that this information will be kept private and will be properly secured from hackers. If the sales representative cannot answer this question, it is best not to buy the product.

 #9 Is There Something Comparable for Less or Free?

This is perhaps a question best asked online where you are more likely to find people who have tried other types of similar products. You can ask in stores, and neutral places (like Best Buy) are likely to give you an honest answer to the best of their knowledge. A great company will be honest as well because they understand when their products can cost prohibitive. If nothing else, you can always ask the company that makes the product to see if they recommend trying something that is comparable in case you want to see what the product is like.

 Conclusion

Edtech products are everywhere, but they are definitively not all equal. The best way to prevent buyer’s remorse is to ask questions up front. You can ask online, in stores, over the phone, or people you know, but make sure that you ask the important question before you commit to the product. The best way to find out if you are getting a good product from a reliable company is to ask these questions of someone who works for the company, even if you already know the answer. This will help you trust that the company will provide the assistance you need when you need it.


Spread the love
TagsEdtechedtechchatelearningSTEAMSTEM
Previous Article

Why Learning to Code is so Important ...

Next Article

5 Ways to Create Virtual Learning Experiences ...

Matthew Lynch

Related articles More from author

  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    5 Movie Making Apps for Student Projects

    May 5, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • EdTech NewsHigher Education EdTech

    Do mobile devices in the classroom really improve learning outcomes?

    July 19, 2016
    By Matthew Lynch
  • EdTech News

    STEM Funding in Danger – But Does Anyone Care?

    June 14, 2016
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechHigher Education EdTech

    What Does a “Future Ready” Educator Look Like?

    January 17, 2018
    By Matthew Lynch
  • EdTech Futures

    Why Virtual Reality has the Potential to Transform Education as We Know It

    December 26, 2016
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    Duh! You Don’t Need Technology to Gamify Your Classroom

    April 7, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch

3 comments

  1. Stephanie Chan 10 January, 2017 at 18:25 Reply

    I want you to know how much am impressed by your wonderful article. Your articles are always interesting and informative.
    You deserve thanks for making me aware.

  2. Stephanie Chan 10 January, 2017 at 20:41 Reply

    Product description and the problems solved are the best questions to ask oneself before buying a product. There has been an influx of products in the market and a better understanding of what you need is required. Thanks for bringing some of his information to the public.
    I appreciate your insights.

  3. Ruti Arazi 21 August, 2018 at 07:36 Reply

    #1 Is There Any Training Included with the Product? No need, it’s that easy
    #2 Are the Developers of the Product in the Educational Field, or Are They Primarily Techies? Professors from HE.
    #3 How Is the Customer Service, and How Responsive Are They to Issues and Defects? We’re here for you!
    #4 How is the Tool Used (Hardware, Software, Device)? On any device!
    #5 Do I Need to Buy Anything Else to Get the Product to Work, or to Enhance Its Potential? Just show us your syllabus or textbook
    #6 Was the Product a Result of Research and Teacher Input? Yes – we’re educators, so of course yes
    #7 Is the Product Scalable and Flexible? Just try us
    #8 Does It Save Student Information, and If So How Is the Data Managed? We save student behavior- you can only benefit from it.
    #9 Is There Something Comparable for Less or Free? There are other options, but we hate to say it – nothing is as professional, comprehensive and customized!

Leave a reply Cancel reply

  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    6 Must Have Apps, Tools, and Resources for Gifted Children

  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechFeaturedFresh

    5 Mistakes that K-12 School Administrators Make with Technology

  • Best of the Best Lists

    The Best Free Data Recovery Software Of 2021: All The Best Options For Recovering Lost Data

Search

Login & Registration

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Newsletter

Signup for The Tech Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in EdTech news and opinion delivered to your email address!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Universities Use Blockchain To Streamline Student Services

    By Matthew Lynch
    January 22, 2021
  • Top 7 Education Apps for the Classroom

    By Matthew Lynch
    January 21, 2021
  • Should Parents Also Know How to Use E-Learning Platforms?

    By Matthew Lynch
    January 20, 2021
  • Advances In Text-To-Speech Technologies Help Computers Find Their Voice

    By Matthew Lynch
    January 19, 2021
  • Campuses Have Used IoT Projects to Promote Convenience, Security, and Comfort for Students

    By Matthew Lynch
    January 15, 2021
  • 20 Top Virtual Reality Apps that are Changing Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 11, 2017
  • 7 Ways Technology Is Impacting Modern Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 4, 2017
  • Why Mobile Technology Enhances Instruction

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 14, 2016
  • What is the Future of Online Learning in Higher Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 2, 2018
  • 7 Roles for Artificial Intelligence in Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    May 5, 2018
  • Campuses Have Used IoT Projects to Promote Convenience, Security, and Comfort for Students - The Tech ...
    on
    January 15, 2021

    9 Examples of the Internet of Things in Education

    […] Institutions with campus-wide ...
  • Home-based Learning Tips For Parents: 6 Tips For Effective Learning - The Tech Edvocate
    on
    January 14, 2021

    The 3 Types of Interaction During Online Learning

    […] providing students with ...
  • A Bad RAP – SAM P LENOX
    on
    January 13, 2021

    Cyberlearning vs. Elearning – Is there a difference?

    […] in learning more about ...
  • Network Segmentation Boosts Wi-Fi Performance And Security For K-12 Schools - The Tech Edvocate
    on
    January 12, 2021

    5G Networks Promise to Make Instructional Technology Better

    […] already mentioned, there ...
  • Creating Powerful Learning Experiences in Google Classroom – MarkerSpace America
    on
    January 12, 2021

    Creating Powerful Learning Experiences in Google Classroom

    […] Read full Story ...

EdTech Policy & Reform

  • EdTech Policy & Reform

    How Much Bias Is Okay in Your School?

    Spread the loveThe algorithm has proven itself to be a handy tool when it comes to solving education problems. It’s also not without bias.  You may be wondering how some ...
  • EdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    Edtech Should Complement Good Pedagogy, Not Attempt to Replace It

    Spread the loveThe newest generation of edtech is downright amazing; it’s no wonder that various education stakeholders might be a little excited about its potential to transform education. However, edtech ...
  • EdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    How to Teach Kids to Communicate in This Digital Age

    Spread the loveWhen even the youngest children are spending the equivalent of a full work day looking at screens, it is perhaps no surprise that parents are wondering how to ...
  • EdTech FuturesEdTech Policy & Reform

    3 Reasons Why India Will Be A Leader in the EdTech Industry in the 21st ...

    Spread the loveAccording to a joint report by KPMG and Google, the online education industry is expected to grow at a healthy rate of 8 times to become a $1.96B ...
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    How Does Technology Immersion Shape the Brain?

    Spread the loveDo you wonder what all of the screen time we have is really doing to our brains? As edtech continues to rise in prominence throughout the world, this ...

EdTech Startups & Businesses

  • EdTech Startups & BusinessesOnline Learning & eLearning

    Using Nudge Theory in Your Corporate Online Learning Classes

    Spread the loveAfter reading this headline, you may be asking yourself, what is nudge theory? Nudge theory centers on positive reinforcement and inferred suggestions to motivate a person to complete ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Bringing Education into the Business World

    Spread the loveU.S. businesses spent nearly $20 billion on training in 2019. That number decreased by roughly half from the year before. Companies aren’t providing fewer professional development opportunities for ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    You Must Include These 3 Things in Your Edtech Business Plan

    Spread the loveDo you have a business plan? It’s the one question you’re going to be asked a lot as you begin your edtech business. The reasons to write a ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Edtech Marketing Ideas to Implement Right Now

    Spread the loveEven if you do have the most exceptional edtech product or service in the world, you’ve still got to market it. Your sales and your success depend on ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    How Your Edtech Startup Can Make the Leap from Failure to Funded

    Spread the loveThe best ideas in edtech are often only ideas. They never become a reality because they lack the funding they need to get off the ground. Taking an ...

Digital Equity

  • Digital EquityDigital Leadership

    How Can You Assess the Tech Needs of Your Students Outside of School?

    Spread the loveToday, I received an email from the middle school principal in Los Angeles. She explained to me that the school that she ran was in one of the ...
  • Digital Equity

    It Is Time for the Edtech Industry to Stop Denying Its Equity and Race Problem

    Spread the loveThe EdTech industry is dominated by white employees, white leaders, and white entrepreneurs. If you doubt this statement, just attend an Edtech conference. Admittedly, educators and others don’t ...
  • Digital Equity

    How OER Can Help Overcome the Higher Education Equity Barrier

    Spread the loveThe cornerstone of the American dream is the ability to succeed in life regardless of one’s family of origin. And, for most people, that requires a college education. ...

EdTech Futures

  • EdTech FuturesOnline Learning & eLearning

    IT Trends To Watch As Higher Education Moves Into a New Decade

    Spread the loveEdtech couldn’t have hoped for a better launch into the new decade than the push the industry received from COVID-19. Even the most tech-resistant institutions and individuals have ...
  • EdTech Futures

    4 Emerging EdTech Trends in 2021

    Spread the loveCovid-19 has not only changed education as we know it, but it has forced education technology (EdTech) to up its game. EdTech has been crucial since the start of this ...
  • Adult EducationEdTech & InnovationEdTech FuturesEducation LeadershipEducational LeadershipHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechThe Future of Education

    Education Technology and the Future of Higher Ed Leadership

    Spread the loveEducation Technology (EdTech) has had a more significant impact on education than anyone expected. Now its effects are reaching into the field of higher education. In this article, ...
  • EdTech Futures

    Top Edtech Trends for 2021

    Spread the loveAre you ready to look ahead? Schools will soon be reflecting on what’s been working this year and what’s not. They’ll also begin thinking about their budgets for ...
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech Futures

    In the Wake of Teacher Shortages, Schools are Turning to Virtual Teachers

    Spread the loveTeaching was once a greatly respected position, and today, morally it still seems to be of high value to many Americans. Institutionally, however, teaching no longer seems to ...

About Us

Since technology is not going anywhere and does more good than harm, adapting is the best course of action. That is where The Tech Edvocate comes in. We plan to cover the PreK-12 and Higher Education EdTech sectors and provide our readers with the latest news and opinion on the subject. From time to time, I will invite other voices to weigh in on important issues in EdTech. We hope to provide a well-rounded, multi-faceted look at the past, present, the future of EdTech in the US and internationally.

We started this journey back in June 2016, and we plan to continue it for many more years to come. I hope that you will join us in this discussion of the past, present and future of EdTech and lend your own insight to the issues that are discussed.

Newsletter

Signup for The Tech Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in EdTech news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Contact Us

The Tech Edvocate
5322 Markel Road, Suite 104
Richmond, VA 23230
(601) 630-5238
advocatefored@gmail.com

Follow us

Copyright © 2021 Matthew Lynch. All rights reserved.