There continues to be a lot of excitement in terms of new EdTech solutions for students that, oftentimes, teachers and technology directors might be tempted to implement new classroom robots or even a VR system as quickly as possible. On the flip side, since there's so many amazing STEM and makerspace tools, some school technology specialists might feel overwhelmed. That doesn’t have to be the case, though. The EdTech purchasing process should be enjoyable, informative, stress-free, and as affordable as possible. At Eduporium, we specialize in helping make all of these things happen. With our one-stop online store, free consultation, and hassle-free quoting process, we try to make purchasing as smooth as possible. So, here's some advice we typically offer when it comes to adding new EdTech to existing resources.
Making the Best EdTech Purchasing Decisions
Purchasing educational technology is just like buying anything else. A lot of it looks really cool either because of a sleek and colorful design or because of how students can use them. Like with anything else, it can be tempting to buy based on those looks but there's more to it. Rushing into EdTech purchases can leave educators in a tough position if they don't know how to implement it. Therefore, purchasing technology just because it looks cool is obviously not an ideal approach. Rather, school officials should research which EdTech tools will truly impact student learning and, if they cost less than expected, that’s great, and, if they cost more than expected, then it’s something they can live with. With EdTech purchasing decisions, it's also sometimes better to focus on proven prowess rather than potential and promise.
Budget and device compatibility.
Of course, the school budget is a huge factor when making tech decisions and it can be tough to find a middle ground for students and staff. School leaders have spent billions of dollars on technology in the last couple of years—a number that will likely continue to rise, especially following the pandemic. This is one reason technology leaders look past the flash of tech tools and really research the fit for students. To help reduce purchasing regret and eliminate future problems, one of the first things school leaders should do is evaluate the devices they already have. For example, if students are using tablets or laptops, what kinds of devices are they? As we know, different STEM tools are compatible with various devices. The Dash Robot and the Root Coding Robot, for example, are compatible with iOS, Android, and Chromebook devices.
Thinking about add-ons for EdTech purchases.
Another factor to consider is reviews educators have shared. How have they used these tools with students and what evidence is there to show a positive impact on achievement? Also, many EdTech companies offer support to educators, including troubleshooting tips and replacement parts. Researching some of the companies that provide this support is often worthwhile. Finally, many providers offer professional development—some with purchases and other options educators could opt to pay for. This content is valuable, helping educators learn all about the specific tech tool—from basic features to advanced capabilities. Companies like Ozobot, Wonder Workshop, BirdBrain Tech, MakerBot, and others offer professional learning content, which can help in deciding on STEM tools to invest in.
Getting Smarter About EdTech Buying
Not all EdTech tools are equal and these educational resources fall into different but specific categories. In our eyes, there are two main categories for educational technology—computing devices and hands-on tools. Computing devices include everything from desktops, laptops, and tablets to the apps students use with them and the necessary networks. Hands-on tools include both high- and low-tech devices, like robotics for the classroom, 3D printers, or even VR solutions. Of course, many other learning tools also fall within these categories but, generally, that's what we’re referring to. Since these devices all have unique characteristics, learning benefits, and ways to use them, it’s important to determine which tech tools will best support your learning goals.
Checking device compatibility before an EdTech purchase.
Among the key features that educational technology purchasers should consider are privacy, interoperability, and device compatibility. We often focus on the third item on this list and constantly remind educators that they should make sure the STEM tools they buy are compatible with the tablets or laptops in their classrooms. There’s nothing worse than getting new technology in the classroom and hyping it up only for students to be unable to use it because of device compatibility issues. For most manufacturers, you can usually find a list of compatible devices online, including on most of our product pages. We preach this point so much because technology can't serve students if they can’t connect it to their device.
Other key areas to consider.
To ensure that issues with an EdTech purchase don’t arise (or are at least limited), educators should follow some key guidelines when selecting their tech tools. The first is ensuring that they can teach all necessary concepts and that it's compatible with standards and learning goals. Next, educators should research if the tool they’re looking at has evidence and examples for supporting deeper learning. Then, there’s making sure it’s compatible with existing devices and addressing implementation concerns, including if the provider offers technical support. Finally, you can look at what other educators at your grade level are buying and see if you notice any patterns that provide insight. All these will help you feel more comfortable.
Smart EdTech Purchases for Maker Education
If you’re a MakerEd teacher or spend any time in a makerspace, then your supplies might differ from traditional EdTech. Makerspace teachers, however, still need an informed decision process to ensure they’re getting the most out of materials they buy. A lot of times, makerspace leaders can get by with procuring free, discarded materials and, while this is a great practice of upcycling, there are other avenues that could also be worthwhile. Many maker materials are cheap but the fact that they’re not always reusable also comes into play. Educators in makerspaces still must be somewhat smart and well-informed about maximizing their budgets and the tools they buy. While 3D printers, for example, are great makerspace tools, other low-tech and less costly tools might work just as well.
Making an EdTech purchase for...free?
The first purchasing tip for makerspace materials is perhaps an oxymoron, but try to avoid paying for things! There are so many everyday materials floating around schools, yards, basements, and even dumpsters that are useful in school makerspaces. Recyclables and scraps, like plastic bottles, paper towel rolls, cardboard, and tape are just what students need. These kinds of materials are good for quick projects and, as long as they’re careful, students can possibly reuse them. If you can get useful materials without spending a dime, then definitely go for it. Other useful tools for MakerEd are paper circuits, which educators can use to teach students electronics concepts. They can help students make light-up cards and other interactive artwork displays. Plus, a lot of these circuits are affordable, so it’s often wise to set aside some space for them when planning a makerspace budget and purchasing strategy.
Maximizing the school makerspace budget.
It might also be a good idea to divide your remaining budget between high- and low-tech items. One of the most affordable makerspace items is the micro:bit, which is still plenty technical and allows students to build all sorts of projects to program. Finally, any STEM kits that combine electronics and programming are perfect for a makerspace curriculum and plenty are affordable. The MonkMakes kits, for example, include compact and fairly straightforward technology, like breadboards, jumper cables, and LEDs for programming. In a makerspace, students can build these circuits and then install them within any other creative projects they’re working on. While maker tools tend to be on the cheaper side and don’t carry as much of a risk as purchasing something expensive, teachers should still be smart and make sure they’re investing their makerspace dollars wisely.
Avoiding Wasteful EdTech Purchases
With so many different types of EdTech tools, it can be tempting to lunge at one or two of them and make a purchase without much thought. Tools like robots, 3D printers, and virtual reality systems are all very valuable in the classroom when used optimally but, unfortunately, this isn't always the case. While there are EdTech tools that are ideal for every student, it might not be the same one for everyone. So, if an educator were to buy a top-end VR system, for example, some students might experience greater engagement but others might find it boring or unnecessary. Also, engagement is nice but it’s ultimately the learning that’s most important. If a new piece of technology isn’t noticeably improving student achievement, it could wind up wasted, so how do you ensure you never get to this stage?
EdTech procurement factors to consider.
To ensure that EdTech purchases aren't wasteful, teachers have to first know their students. They must be knowledgeable of their skill sets and if those skills align with the EdTech tools they’re integrating. If students try to use a robot that requires text coding, for example, but they’ve only had a bit of experience with block coding, then this would qualify as a wasted purchase. Also, if an educator were to rush into making a purchase without realizing that the robotics tools they bought were only compatible with iOS devices and their classroom devices are all Windows-based, then this would most definitely become wasteful. Ultimately, it takes time to accurately determine if tech purchases are wasteful or not. There are some key features, however that buyers should be aware of to hopefully avoid this altogether.
Boosting accessibility and impact with your EdTech purchase.
The first feature is accessibility. EdTech tools that are easy to learn, flexible in different environments, and help educators teach different concepts are ideal. Differentiation is another key characteristic. The best EdTech is not one-size-fits-all but, rather, it’s adaptable and can help teachers reach students in different ways. Also, the quality of the supplemental educational content is something to consider. Many top EdTech brands, like Wonder Workshop, Terrapin Robotics, and iRobot Education, each include in-depth curricula or project guides with their products. This helps ensure that educators can use them optimally while covering core concepts. Finally, look for evidence that these particular tools actually advance learning. If you can’t find concrete examples that one technology tool is exceptional, chances are, you'll find evidence that others are. Ultimately, avoiding wasteful purchases—like always—comes down to doing your homework.
Revising the EdTech Purchase Process
If you go through the same routine every time you make an EdTech purchase, that could be good or bad. It’s good to have routines and consistency to help make things more efficient but what if your process isn’t optimal? What if you simply see something new online and jump at the chance to be the first teacher you know to get it in the classroom? When making an EdTech purchase, quick procurement isn't nearly as important as getting things right. Even if you hear from other teachers that a certain STEM tool is great, that doesn’t mean the same success will translate in all classrooms. One of the best things to do is to try a technology tool with students before committing to large purchases.
Trying the trial route.
In some cases, you might find a program for trying something with students for a certain amount of time. Unfortunately, these aren’t all that common, however, so the next best thing might be buying one or two trial units of a STEM tool to test how they work. In an ideal world, systems like this would remove some pressures of buying new technology tools. Knowing how they work in the classroom and complement your educational goals and student abilities is quite a luxury. If you don't have a defined EdTech purchasing process at the school or district level, this might be worth discussing. Though you may need to make trial purchases each time, the benefits of knowing how they work before fully committing are worth it to some people.
Making the right EdTech purchase.
Most likely, somebody in the school or district is vetting technology tools before buying them. And, most likely, it's not the teachers who will be using them. Whoever conducts this research may look for correlations between technology and standards or make sure it fits in the budget. They’re not always assessing whether or not it's compatible with the instructional styles of the teachers who will be using them or if the students in those classes are skilled enough (or too skilled) for a particular solution. Teachers usually know these answers best since they're the ones who spend the most time with students. Perhaps, in an ideal world, teachers would always have a month or two to get to know how their students would use a product and then still have the rest of the year to use it.
If you have any insights into the EdTech purchasing process or would like to share what’s done in your school or district, please feel free to get in touch! For EdTech, STEM, and 21st century education news, follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Like us on Facebook, too, or sign up for our newsletter for our latest product announcements and offerings. If you have an idea for an Eduporium Weekly theme, send us a message on social media or comment below.