1. Does This Tool Align With Instructional Goals?
A common pitfall is letting technology drive instruction, rather than the other way around. The best tools are those that seamlessly support and enhance what teachers are already trying to accomplish, whether that’s building stronger literacy skills, supporting collaborative problem-solving or making lessons more accessible. By matching a tool’s features to clear instructional objectives, IT leaders can be more confident that technology will be used to its full extent to support teaching and learning.
2. Is It Intuitive Enough for Every Teacher to Adopt?
Even the most powerful solution won’t make a difference if teachers find it challenging to use effectively. Intuitive design lowers barriers to adoption, simplifying professional development while making it more impactful. Simplicity is one of the strongest predictors of long-term classroom ed tech use. Ask yourself: Can a teacher unbox the tool and start using it meaningfully for a lesson? Solutions that require little to no training reduce frustration and maximize instructional time. Intuitive design doesn’t just save time, it restores teacher confidence.
EXPLORE: Effective change management helps districts navigate technology transitions.
3. Can Students Access It Comfortably?
A solution must be user-friendly for its full potential to be realized. Can every student see, hear and easily interact with the tech? Consider basics such as ergonomics, screen visibility, audio clarity and input methods. For example, in a 2024 study conducted by Logitech, 94% of students reported greater focus when using properly fitted headsets compared to just 18% with standard earbuds. When choosing solutions, try to put yourself in the place of the student using it day after day for hours at a time. Access is also about choice: Students benefit most when they can learn in the ways that best suit them, whether through stylus input, typing or speech. Doing so is central to inclusion and adoption.
4. Does It Create a Lasting Impact?
Short-term engagement is not enough. Effective edtech should build durable skills and sustained focus that extend beyond a single classroom or grade level. For example, research shows that students retain more information when they take notes by hand or using a stylus, and that effect will be amplified over time. Similarly, tools that encourage active participation and feedback help cultivate lifelong critical thinking and collaboration skills. When evaluating impact, leaders should ask whether a tool will still add value three years from now, when standards evolve and classrooms look different.
5. Is It Designed for Learning Environments?
Durability and adaptability matter as much as functionality. Edtech tools must withstand daily use in busy classrooms, but they should also integrate seamlessly into different learning setups, from whole-class instruction to small groups and individual learning environments. Devices that are adjustable, durable and age-appropriate meet the real-world needs of schools and minimize cost of ownership over time.
These five questions are more important than ever because I’m seeing a trend of districts choosing fewer tools than in years past — meaning those tools must work harder, smarter and more inclusively. By asking these five questions, school IT leaders can make confident decisions that align with instructional goals, empower teachers and create opportunities for lifelong student growth.
