Schools are equipped with more edtech tools than ever five years after the pandemic. If the workload is unmanageable, consolidating apps is the solution, new research suggests.
Implementing too many edtech platforms burdens teachers and parents, according to a new survey from K12 learning platform Edsby in collaboration with Cornerstone Communications, LTD. More than 40% of parents whose districts employ multiple apps and communications platforms rate their satisfaction with these tools at 5 out of 10 or lower, citing difficulties navigating multiple platforms each week.
Among districts that have not selected a single, integrated system, most schools use between 10 and 15 educational apps with some student and parent component, according to the survey of more than 100 teachers, parents and 50 district and private school curriculum leaders.
“While digital tools offer incredible opportunities for improving student outcomes, being asked to navigate 15 official apps is overwhelming educators and families,” said Brooke Greenwald, president of Cornerstone Communications, LTD.
Teachers report spending between two to four hours per week using these apps—on top of completing administrative tasks. While district leaders find value in the tools they’ve integrated, both parents and teachers would rather consolidate and streamline these apps.
“The amount of apps and the amount of time required to look at each one makes it impossible for parents with jobs,” said one public school parent in the survey. “There has got to be an easier way to work with our children and their schools.”
The researchers offer five recommendations for streamlining edtech integration:
Consolidation and integration
- Develop unified portals: Adopt integrated platforms that serve multiple functions (communication, assessment, reporting) into a single interface.
- Reduce redundancy: Reassess the necessity of each app to eliminate overlaps.
Enhanced training and support
- Targeted professional development: Give teachers comprehensive training that underscores efficient app usage and integration strategies.
- Parental onboarding: Offer workshops and support resources to help parents navigate these tools effectively.
Feedback-driven policy adjustments
- Conduct surveys and focus groups: Implement mechanisms for continuous feedback from teachers and parents.
- Test integrated solutions: Before wide-scale adoption, pilot integrated platforms in select schools to evaluate their impact on satisfaction and administrative efficiency.
Aligning administrative perceptions with frontline realities
- Bridge the communication gap: Allow for regular forums where district leaders, teachers and parents can share their experiences and expectations.
- Data-driven adjustments: Use the data gathered from surveys to drive continuous improvement in edtech selection and integration.
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