The STEM Education Blog

With the pandemic came a rush for getting ed-tech software to make the transition to digital instruction easier. However, as many made rash purchase decisions, they quickly realized that the more research you put in, the better product you’re going to get. According to Canvas’ Trenton Goble, whose tips in District Administration we’ve summarized below, there are ultimately three things to look for when making an ed-tech purchase decision: security, scalability, and support.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, classes transitioned online. While a lot of classes made successful transitions, the quality of many career technical education classes was inhibited due to the inability to provide necessary machinery. According to an article in District Administration, concerns have arisen about how lack of proper CTE training will impact students’ college and career readiness and how much the equity gap will increase.

With March’s sudden shift to e-learning due to COVID-19, educators became entirely reliant on ed-tech to teach their students. While there were many bumps with this transition, there also came the reminder to many of the benefits of screens, such as connection and simulation. This, according to District Administration, is causing some to rethink the “engagement” message as ed-tech’s main draw.

When many teachers transitioned to online instruction, they got to know their students in a whole new way. Through video conferencing in lessons and communicating more with students via email and discussion boards, teachers have been able to see beyond the classroom and learn more about their students’ lives and thoughts.

Many K-12 schools are choosing to install facial recognition as a means of added security for the school. However, some individuals question how much good the use of facial recognition is actually bringing to the school, causing a divide in the reception of the technology.