How to overcome 3 big edtech hurdles in 2025

At a time when schools are facing budget and resource challenges, the only solution for sustaining edtech-enabled learning is to “do more with less,” new research confirms. Here’s how.

In addition to budgeting restraints, school leaders are having a tough time attracting and retaining teachers and IT professionals in 2025, a new report from the Consortium for School Networking reveals. It’s one of the three major hurdles identified by CoSN’s global advisory board, a network of K12 educators, technologists and industry partners.

The other two tech-centered hurdles that keep schools from making significant progress are:

1. The evolution of teaching and learning: More professional development is needed to keep educators on track with the rapid pace of technological advancements.
2. Digital equity: Broken into three interrelated components—digital foundations, conditions for learning and meaningful learning opportunities—this hurdle is more than equitable access to digital technologies. Students must also develop the knowledge and skills to use technology and engage with accessible content and programs.

Despite these hurdles, educators and IT professionals are implementing tools that enable classroom learning and innovation. These include generative artificial intelligence, analytics and adaptive technologies, and untethered broadband and connectivity.

When it comes to implementing gen AI, it’s important that schools develop a policy for effective and ethical use, the research adds.

One of gen AI’s most powerful use cases surrounds its ability to provide personalized learning. IT professionals can show educators how to use it to provide real-time feedback, create adaptive learning pathways and support lifelong learning.

“These capabilities help students become active participants in their education, empowering them to explore new ideas and develop critical thinking skills,” the research reads.

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How to do more edtech with less

We’ve identified the three major hurdles to tech-centered learning. Now, let’s go over CoSN’s recommendations for “doing more with less”:

Hiring and retention

When it comes to attracting and retaining educators and IT professionals, the first recommendation is to lean on AI tools that assist teachers with routine tasks to prevent burnout.

Next, create growth pathways and leadership development within your district. For instance, allow technicians to earn certifications to advance to networking and shadow colleagues in areas of interest.

Finally, leaders must find out what matters most to their employees when it comes to retention. If folks are leaving, conduct exit interviews to learn why.

The evolution of teaching and learning

Create a portrait of what a local graduate looks like and label it as your “north star” for instruction, leadership and processes.

Next, redefine what being educated means, allowing you to remove any unnecessary content that might disengage students.

Finally, explore more purposeful professional development, such as one-on-one instructional coaching. It’s a successful method for ensuring quality integration and achievement with edtech.

Digital equity

Ensure the gen AI tools you use are trained by individuals from diverse backgrounds to minimize bias and promote fairness. IT professionals must also educate families about digital citizenship and community engagement.

For more information on what’s driving K12 innovation, read the full report here.