5 Ways to Combat Tech Fatigue and Support Student Success

Published March 27, 2024 on eSchool News.

Ask anyone involved in public education right now and you’ll hear a familiar refrain: “Too many technology tools.” Almost every K-12 district brought on new technology solutions during the pandemic, accelerating an already fast pace of tool adoption. With the pressure to solve problems fast, many of these ended up being separate, niche point solutions. In the 2022 to 2023 school year, school districts used an average of more than 2,591 different solutions. It’s no wonder so many K-12 families, educators, and staff members are exhausted and stressed by technology overload. Help is coming, but not necessarily in the ideal way: with ESSER funding running out, districts are re-evaluating the impact and scope of edtech solutions.

Evaluating the impact of edtech solutions is a logical thing to do. But there’s a reason why so many of these solutions were adopted. In many cases, they’re innovative and deeply aligned to what educators need to do their jobs well. With consolidation and cuts, I fear a return to the old days of dated, clunky, poorly built tools that get in the way of the work educators do.

Easy-to-use, integrated solutions can support student success. These five considerations can help districts choose solutions that will strike the right balance to consolidate tools, delight users, and drive student success.

Choose user-friendly edtech solutions

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

Consider teacher input and feedback

Educators juggle myriad responsibilities daily, making it crucial to select solutions that streamline their tasks and make their lives easier. Get feedback from people who are using the tools every day by including educators in your conversations about which edtech solutions to invest in. Additionally, seek input from educators across your district regarding the solutions their colleagues in other districts find effective. Involving 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 empowers the entire K-12 community to achieve success.

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