Over the past few years, the role of technology in the classroom has changed massively, and edtech is now widely recognised as essential for supporting modern learning. With many schools facing tight financial situations, however, finding enough budget to make regular investments and improvements can be challenging.
The issue of edtech spend was recently explored by a panel of education leaders from across Australia in ‘The State of Technology in Education – The Big Debate’ roundtable.
In this blog post, we explore some of the key discussion points to help you make the most of your edtech investments…
1.Review your existing edtech provisions
One of the first steps in making any edtech investment is to review existing resources available within the school. After all, where budget is limited, it’s best that schools do as much as possible with what they already have so that any spend can be put towards the resources that are needed most.
2. Make sure the right infrastructure is in place
Another key factor in the decision-making process is to check that the right infrastructure is in place to support any new purchases. For example, making sure that each classroom has suitable network connection if new devices will rely on using the internet. Keeping infrastructural considerations in mind will help to ensure that new investments can be used to their full potential.
3. Invest in quality
When it comes to edtech solutions, there are usually a wide range of options available at various price points. Although it can be tempting to opt for lower cost solutions, especially where budgets are tight, investing in quality should always be a top priority. In this way, school leaders will futureproof their classrooms and be best positioned to achieve long-term value from technology spend.
4. Keep to a consistent strategy
Finally, sticking to a consistent edtech strategy is crucial for making the most of any investments. By following a clear strategy, schools can ensure that they purchase solutions which are compatible with one another and contribute to a comprehensive edtech ecosystem which improves teaching and learning experiences for students and teachers alike.
With school budgets under pressure, it’s more important than ever that any expenditure leads to tangible improvements and truly meets the needs of teachers. For further advice, why not read our blog post on making the most of existing resources.