Navigating EdTech

How many apps is your organization juggling? Let’s take a look at what simplifying it can look like!

EdTech, short for educational technology, is changing faster than most organizations can keep pace. Aside from the eye-popping price ($30 billion annual spending in 2024 and expect that figure to double in the next decade), EdTech promises to teach children to read, organize your school’s  finances, and streamline compliance. But is this true or just hype? My children's school district listed, at last count, twenty different apps you log into, covering everything from AI-powered literacy to signing off on the student handbook. Research on the topic of Ed Tech’s proliferation suggests that the average student is using 48 different apps, with teachers using about 50. 

Too Many Apps?

This is a lot to navigate. Schools are already complex operations, adding finicky technology can overload systems. And switching from app to app can also be taxing: which password do I use? Which browser or device is compatible with which app? Has each system passed our organizational requirements for safety and privacy? Not to mention, there’s been considerable cultural backlash against the proliferation of screens in childhood. Dr Haidt’s The Anxious Generation is perhaps the most popular example of this but everyone from talk show hosts to legislators have raised public alarm about EdTech.

Everyone has my permission to calm down, on both sides of the debate. No, an episode of a nature documentary to illustrate volcanic eruptions in fifth grade science won’t rot your brain. But also, no, you do not need another mathematics screener app! EdTech apps are a lot like furniture in a house. You absolutely need it to be functional, even pleasant. But, too many bird cages are just clutter and one more thing to maintain (looking at you, MeeMaw and your antique woven heart collection). It's tempting to believe every new app will revolutionize education. It's equally tempting to believe every screen is making childhood worse. Both positions have the advantage of being simple. They don't require us to weigh tradeoffs, examine evidence, or revisit our assumptions.

The Complexity of Technology in Education

Look, the work of helping a child grow into a capable adult requires us to hold several ideas in tension simultaneously. Technology can be genuinely transformative AND introduce unnecessary complexity. Some EdTech solutions deserve enthusiastic adoption because they remove barriers that keep educators from doing their best work. Others add buttons on a keyboard to an already inefficient process. Educational organizations need to become better evaluators. 

Before adding another application, another subscription, or another login, just ask, is the juice worth the squeeze? We don't have to look far for examples of technology creating more work than it removes. The 2024 FAFSA simplification project was intended to make applying for financial aid easier. Instead, delays, technical issues, and implementation challenges left students in a worse condition than leaving the FAFSA as it was. But, I remember when in Louisiana, pre-K attendance reporting went from 160+ manual spreadsheets to a digital process. We all sang the hallelujah chorus at that.

Reducing Complexity for Educational Organizations

We have got to understand the process we're trying to improve before we reach for another piece of technology.  Root cause analysis and value stream mapping often reveal the real issue in an inefficient workflow. Well, then, fix that workflow instead of bringing in another app! Digitizing a broken process rarely fixes it. More often, it simply allows us to complete the wrong work faster. Here at Instructional Data Solutions, we have considerable experience working with schools and educational organizations to examine broken processes and simplify them so you can save time and money. Email hunter@instructionalds.com if this is something you want to chat more about.

Final Thoughts and How to Take Action

Are you tired of too much digital clutter? We would love to chat about some solutions there. And if you’ve conquered your digital clutter, then I invite you to join the conversation on social media and share.

About Instructional Data Solutions: Our mission is to remove barriers to enable education organizations to focus on what matters most. We assist school systems and education organizations of all sizes by collecting, analyzing, and clearly communicating data. We are committed to empowering educators through comprehensive data analytics and tailored support. Additionally, we provide dedicated support for operational needs, process improvement, and special projects, offering customized solutions to enhance effectiveness and success. Our solutions bridge the gap between data collection and instructional improvement in PK-12 settings.