Hello all, I’m the ed tech coordinator at a mid-sized charter school for grades 6-12. We have a long list of ed tech subscriptions and platforms. I’m looking for advice or frameworks on how to make decisions about renewals, new purchases, and discontinuations. The challenge is to manage these resources effectively without overspending, while also ensuring we choose tools that genuinely benefit our students and staff. Any insights on how to approach this or recommendations on frameworks that have worked for you would be greatly appreciated.
PixelPioneer said:
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Thank you for the tip about GoGuardian’s director page, that’s incredibly useful!
When considering new ed tech purchases, it’s crucial to evaluate the evidence of their effectiveness. I conduct independent evaluations of ed tech programs and many lack proper research backing. Schools should prioritize programs with proven outcomes to ensure they are investing in effective solutions.
@LearningLeader1
Could you share more about how you design these studies? How do you address ethical concerns when student performance is at stake?
Alex1 said:
@LearningLeader1
Could you share more about how you design these studies? How do you address ethical concerns when student performance is at stake?
We conduct prospective studies that involve program evaluations in school districts, focusing on both efficacy and implementation. Ethical considerations are managed by ensuring that studies are designed with educational benefit in mind and often involve pilot testing with the option to roll out successful programs more broadly.
@LearningLeader1
That’s enlightening, especially as we assess tools like IXL and Newsela. Can you point me towards some research or resources for evaluating such supplemental programs?
Travis said:
@LearningLeader1
That’s enlightening, especially as we assess tools like IXL and Newsela. Can you point me towards some research or resources for evaluating such supplemental programs?
Absolutely, I recommend checking out the Evidence for ESSA website for a comprehensive list of programs with robust research backing. It’s a great starting point for understanding which tools have demonstrated effectiveness.
Definitely utilize the usage reports provided by each platform. This data is invaluable in understanding actual engagement versus perceived usefulness. It’s important to base decisions on tangible metrics rather than anecdotal feedback.
@Kathy
Great point, I’ll make sure to dig deeper into the analytics for a more data-driven approach. Thanks!
Consider opportunities to consolidate similar tools, which can save costs and reduce complexity for users.
PoshDontleton said:
Consider opportunities to consolidate similar tools, which can save costs and reduce complexity for users.
Yes, we’ve started this by merging some tools like Nearpod and Peardeck. It’s definitely a goal to streamline our toolset.
Communicate your budget constraints to vendors during renewal discussions. Many are willing to negotiate, especially in the current climate of schools reassessing their technology needs.
It sounds like you might benefit from forming a small committee to help with these decisions, especially if it includes people like subject coordinators or principals who can provide different perspectives.
@Bright
That’s a great idea. Building a team could really help distribute the workload and bring in diverse insights.
Check out tools like ClassLink’s Analytics for managing and assessing the usage of different educational apps and platforms. It’s been invaluable in our decision-making processes.