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With resources stretched and funding unpredictable, sustainable, smart edtech investments set schools up for long-term impact. New research from Logitech and THE Journal sheds light on today’s purchasing priorities and what drives confident decision making in schools.

Educators during the edLeader Panel “Inside the Research: A Data-Backed Blueprint for Confident Edtech Investments” broke down three core insights from the research for a strong classroom learning experience—and how they match what today’s students and teachers actually need. Use them as a guide for districtwide tech decisions and to build your future-ready learning environments.

3 Data Points That Shape Today’s Edtech Investments

1. Over 80% of survey respondents said they measure success based on the impact on student engagement.

According to the panelists, engagement should not be the only success metric for technology in the classroom. Technology is no longer an enhancement to education but now a critical tool for learning. How does one measure student engagement when they use a Chromebook to turn in an assignment?

Schools “can invest all kinds of money in the greatest kind of technology,” but what’s more critical is having the right tools in the hands of capable educators because “they are just going to amplify their effect,” said Jason Schmidt, Director of Technology for the Oshkosh Area School District (WI).

In addition, student attention spans are getting shorter, and their exposure to technologies outside the classroom continually raises the bar for classroom engagement. Like school policies, tech quality matters more than quantity. Thoughtful use of good tools may be a better driver for investment decisions. It’s important to think about what the tool enables you to do and how easy and reliable it is to use in the classroom.

2. More than 90% of respondents said they will invest in classroom technologies because they drive student participation and engagement.

Two words: content creation. That’s the world students live in and aspire to use—consider TikTok and YouTube. Classroom technologies, like cameras and screens, help harness real-world tools to teach broader life lessons.

Adam Hyman, Media Arts Technology Teacher in the New York City Public Schools (NY), shared that his school created a five-minute, live, student-led morning newscast with the pledge, a social-emotional word of the day, school news, weather, and sports. It provided opportunities for parents to tune in and feel connected, and for students to showcase on-air skills and “be a part of a team and work as a team. And that’s something hard to teach youngsters today, especially because of that solo feel of everything,” he said.

3. Over 80% of respondents said the budget is the top consideration for edtech investments.

Striking a balance between innovation and practicality is something every district or school wrestles with when it comes to edtech. Investing in resources that last longer saves time on retraining and replacement costs. “If I purchase something and it lasts for five years, I’ve got a better return on my investment that way,” Schmidt explained.

Bringing real-world experiences and ideas into the classroom, even on a smaller scale, can also be a wise strategy to stretch the budget while remaining innovative. “A perfect example is just using Google Docs or Google Slides; everyone in the workforce at some place or another, at some time or another, is using those tools. They’re using them through high school, through college, and through other aspects of their lives. So why not teach the kids how to use them effectively?” Hyman said.

The panelists suggested these tips for getting the most out of limited budgets:

• Take advantage of free online platforms and tools to boost creativity and collaboration
• Seek community partnerships and donations to supplement resources
• Repurpose and reuse older technology for specific tasks, such as research stations or school displays
• Prioritize investments in more flexible, reusable technology

While it may not be considered sexy or innovative, solving the right problem, with the right tools, at the right time helps stretch budgets and ensures teachers have what they need to do what they do best: inspire future generations.

Learn more about this edWeb broadcast, Inside the Research: A Data-Backed Blueprint for Confident Edtech Investments, sponsored by Logitech.

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Research and Evidence in Edtech is a free professional learning community that brings together researchers, educators, and product developers to share best practices related to edtech research and evaluation.

Article by Suzanne Bell, based on this edLeader Panel