There’s no shortage of EdTech tools promising to transform teaching. But for school leaders, the real challenge isn’t finding tools—it’s knowing which ones are worth adopting. When time, budget, and teacher trust are on the line, you need more than a polished demo. You need clarity.
Here’s how to approach EdTech evaluation without burning out.
Before diving into features, pause and name the actual problem you’re solving. Are you trying to reduce teacher workload? Improve feedback loops? Support more student voice?
The right tool should align with your school’s goals, not distract from them.
Adoption doesn’t happen in a demo. It happens on a regular Tuesday when time is short and things don’t go as planned.
Ask vendors to walk through classroom workflows. Involve a range of teachers in testing. If it’s not easy to learn and use, it won’t stick.
Don’t wait until month three to ask if it’s working. Set clear goals:
Usage alone isn’t enough. Look for real impact.
Not every tool is built for the classroom, and not every decision should come from the central office alone. Assessing classroom technology means asking how it functions in context.
Sometimes the best tech decisions start with knowing what not to ignore. When evaluating EdTech tools, look for green flags: signs that a platform is designed to support instruction, not complicate it.
If one of your goals is to reduce prep time or bring more intentional speaking practice into your classrooms, Speakable can help.
Our AI-powered tools let teachers create structured speaking assignments in minutes. Students get real-time feedback. Leaders get clear insights without adding to anyone’s workload.
It’s a tool built to support instruction, not distract from it.
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