What's Happening?
A recent study conducted by Instructure and InnovateEDU has found that a significant portion of educational technology tools used in K-12 classrooms are not backed by evidence recognized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The analysis, which reviewed
150 common classroom technology tools, revealed that only 40% of purpose-built educational tools had evidence aligned with ESSA standards, compared to a mere 2% of consumer technologies used in schools. The study highlights the growing importance of aligning educational tools with research standards, as schools increasingly rely on technology to enhance learning outcomes. The report also emphasized the need for strong student privacy protections and seamless interoperability as baseline requirements for educational tools.
Why It's Important?
The findings of this study are significant as they underscore the need for schools to critically evaluate the educational technology tools they adopt. With the increasing integration of technology in classrooms, it is crucial that these tools are not only effective but also supported by evidence that they improve learning outcomes. The lack of evidence-based support for many tools raises concerns about their efficacy and the potential waste of resources. This study could prompt school districts to reassess their procurement processes and prioritize tools that meet ESSA standards, ensuring that federal dollars are spent on interventions that have a proven impact on student learning.
What's Next?
As the conversation around educational technology shifts towards evidence-based outcomes, school districts may begin to implement more rigorous evaluation processes for selecting ed-tech tools. This could involve adopting the study's suggested questions for assessing the value and impact of these tools. Additionally, there may be increased pressure on ed-tech companies to provide evidence of their products' effectiveness, potentially leading to more research and development in this area. The study's findings could also influence policymakers to establish stricter guidelines for the adoption of educational technologies in schools.
