After a year of fast-paced, high-pressure decision making, you’re now called on to figure out which edtech products will support your learners and educators.
Should you continue to use the products you implemented before the rush to distance learning? Should you expand the use of new tools that educators found to meet immediate learning needs? Are there new tools to consider that address your communities’ new and evolving needs as you move to hybrid and in-person learning?
We’ve heard from our district partners that these four guiding questions help them find the right tools.
- Which learning goals might edtech support?
- Does your school or district currently use similar tools that align with your goals? How is this tool different?
- Does the tool align with teacher practice?
- Was the edtech product informed by best practices and research?
- Have you consulted resources like the Research-Based Design Product Certification to determine whether research is embedded in product design?
- Does the product take into account research about how people learn in its delivery?
- Do students have agency in their learning while using the tool?
- How will your team implement this product?
- What professional learning is required to support educators with implementation? How will your team offer ongoing professional development, training, and support to educators?
- What are the technical requirements? Is the product interoperable with your existing infrastructure?
Learn more about Product Certifications and reach out to our team for support integrating Product Certifications into your edtech evaluation process.
*These questions were developed by DC Public Schools, Highline Public Schools, South Fayette Township School District, Vancouver Public Schools, Vista Unified School District, and West Ada School District. Learn more about these districts’ decision-making processes and find some of their resources here.
