As an educator, it can be challenging to find reliable information regarding edtech tools, since pretty much every product you can find online claims to be backed by research. That’s quite a weak claim, since ‘based on research’ can mean just about anything. 

Trying to find an edtech tool that will support your lessons and students is often frustrating and time-consuming. This frustration usually leaves teachers feeling dejected, and most end up neglecting their search for valuable education technology tools altogether.

We’re going to look at some truly useful edtech tools and discuss how you can scope out which tools are legitimate and which ones are a waste of time. 

Determining Areas of Teaching That Need Improvement

We all know that there are areas of learning and teaching that need to be addressed and improved. Teachers are more than adept at picking apart shortcomings and inefficiencies in the classroom. Whether you approach this from an individual or school level, there are bound to be barriers to both the ideal learning experience and the ideal teaching experience. 

Often in classrooms, we see a high workload for students and teachers, insufficient face-to-face time with learners, disengagement and apathy with students, and a constant barrier to understanding the material. These are the barriers you should consider when looking for edtech tools. 

If your most significant issue is a workload that is too large for your students, don’t waste money on implementing a smartboard into the class. Instead, look for tools that let your students learn more effectively, so they don’t have to spend as much time working. 

Match Edtech Categories and Their Purpose to Your Needs

The different edtech options are designed to fulfill different needs, so you will want to match the tool’s purpose with the learning barrier that needs to be overcome. If you are experiencing insufficient face-to-face time with your learners, you can use a virtual classroom, like the one found in Pedagogue.

Pedagogue is an SLMS (Social Learning Management System) which combines the traditional aspects of a regular LMS, with aspects from social media, like live streams, chats, videos, and forums. It provides the benefits of the classroom 24/7, and you can personalize all your students’ learning experiences individually. 

If you are noticing apathy and disengagement with your students, you could opt to use edtech tools that promote interactivity. These include things like quiz programs, smartboards, clickers, and computer stations. A BYOD system can also encourage interactivity. 

Choosing the Exact Tool

Once you understand the type of edtech tool you need, there will be quite a few more factors to consider when you decide the exact edtech tool you need. Try to develop a thorough checklist to ensure that it’s a perfect fit for your school’s ideal learning experience.

The best thing to do when choosing an edtech tool is to do research, understand your school’s needs, and be confident enough to make impactful decisions. 

Concluding Thoughts

Education technology is not one size fits all. Still, the tool that you choose to use genuinely can make or break the successful integration of edtech tools in your school. To be successful in your decision, you must start with a conversation about where teaching and learning can be improved.