US Edition
The State of
Technology in Education
2021/22
After a period of reactivity and a steep learning curve in teaching modes, educators finally had a moment to catch their breath in 2021. The result? A genuinely holistic approach to learning, one that champions the benefits of edtech: personalization, engagement, and interactivity. One that’s ready to react at short notice. And one entirely underpinned by classroom-based pedagogy and, most importantly, student wellbeing.
Where do you want to start?
Key findings from 2021/22:
1st Place
Grades aren't everything
Improving social and emotional learning is schools’ top priority, according to the largest proportion of educators (39%). Blended and hybrid learning follow closely (33%), helping students make up for lost ground after another year of disruption.
83%
Is training in shape?
Training is essential, according to the majority (83%) of educators. But budgets often say otherwise. Almost a third (31%) believe training deserves more funding, and many complain that the precious funds they do get are invested in the wrong things.
1%
Who pays the price?
Students' social and emotional needs may be at the top of the agenda, but hardly any schools (1%) will be budgeting for wellbeing during 2022/23. Bureaucracy and state purchasing systems are preventing schools from investing in what they really need.
83%
Switched on
More than eight in ten (83%) educators agree that edtech makes engaging students easy — and actually improves their own performance. Embracing technology during the last year has created a surge in confidence among almost all (91%) school staff.
2nd only to money
Tech upgrades education
Technology will decide the future of education more than anything else, apart from budgets and funding, say 36% of respondents. After fears that learning was on the way out of the classroom, 42% of educators confirm lessons will be taught in person wherever possible, with a blend of digital and analog resources.
A truly exceptional school looks at how it can bring technology up to today's standards while working in conjunction with the curriculum. It looks at the community needs, teacher needs, and tries to balance the two.
Strategy
Schools' strategic plans
Strategic buy-in varies, but most agree that social and emotional learning is critical for 2021/22. With staff and student wellbeing thrown into stark relief during the pandemic, educators are focused on rectifying the impact of a year of isolation and remote contact. Although the majority of schools are committed to edtech, many lack a coherent adoption plan.
Improving social and emotional learning is schools’ top priority, according to the largest consensus of educators (39%).
Strategy:
The headlines
A strategy with clarity
7/10 educators say their schools have a clear strategic vision—the highest level in four years.
Looking to the leaders
Of staff who say their schools lack strategic vision, just under half blame leadership.
Staff speaking up
Over half of educators contribute to their schools' strategic plans.
Taking note of tech
Technology is a strategic priority for more than 7/10 schools.
Lacking tech specifics
However, nearly a third of educators say they don't have an IT-specific strategy or don't know if they do.
Are schools headed in the right direction?
During the shock of 2020, educators could be forgiven for wondering how schools would handle the challenges ahead. Now confusion has largely given way to confidence. 71% of educators agree their schools have a clear strategic vision, agreed by most school leaders (88%), and the largest proportion of non-school leaders (45%).
Does your school have a clear strategic vision for the year ahead?
Non-SMT
45.4%Yes
18.5%No
36%Don't Know
SMT*
87.8%Yes
6.7%No
5.6%Don't Know
* SMT - School Management Team
Not everyone is convinced. Over a third of non-school leaders (36%) aren’t sure if their school has a clear strategic vision, suggesting a failure in communication. Of them, almost half (47%) blame failure in leadership.
If not, why?
Training
Teacher training and school PD
To find out how many teachers believe that technology helps them do a better job, skip to part two — schools’ use of tech.
Skip to next chapterWho gets a say in strategy?
52% of educators play a role in their school strategy—24% have no input.
Just over half of educators provide input or take a lead role in devising their school strategy. Understandably, 90% of school leaders contribute. However, the gap between teachers is pronounced, with 40% of teachers having no input—23% less input than IT and 28% less than school leaders.
What role do you play in formulating your school’s strategic vision?
Who makes the final call?
Although most school leaders are involved in strategy, the ultimate responsibility more often rests with principals. 43% reported principals take the lead role in strategy setting, with 40% saying it’s a collaborative school leaders project.
Making students feel supported and connected
Regardless of strategic misgivings, educators are broadly in alignment when it comes to what matters most. After a tumultuous year, student wellbeing is front and center.
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93% of educators agree with their schools’ priorities.
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39% of educators say social and emotional learning is the most widespread key strategic priority.
What does your school identify as key priorities for 2021/22?
School leaders have slightly different priorities
Non-school leaders accounts for the bulk of the support of social and emotional learning, with nearly half (49%) saying it’s a strategic priority. SMT, meanwhile, identified hybrid learning (40%) and blended learning (34%) as more important, with social and emotional learning taking third place (27%).
“There must be more of an emphasis on social/emotional wellbeing and less focus on test results.”
“If we focus on teaching the whole child, grades, attendance, and behavior will improve.”
Most educators champion technology, although many are hazy on strategy
Technology is a strategic priority for 72%, but 30% say they don’t have an IT-specific strategy or don’t know if they do. School leaders may be reticent to commit budget, but this could backfire. Schools that are slow to upgrade technology could find themselves spending more overall to catch up with early adopters.
“We have made great strides in technology use, accomplishing lots we were not able to do before, and I feel we should continue with this work. It's not a district goal or even a goal at many campuses so it is doubtful it will happen.”
“I believe we need to focus on real-life applications of technology, and the use of technology to better differentiate for our students. However I do not believe that is in the strategic plan.”
What does this tell us about 2021?
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After the confusion and disruption of COVID-19, educators have emerged with reassuring confidence in their schools' strategic priorities. This broad alignment needs to persist if it’s to translate into greater successes.
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Another tough year underscored schools’ commitment to helping students recalibrate and reconnect to improve their emotional and social wellbeing.
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Decision-making is a collaborative effort for many, although school leaders typically take the lead. Many principals will want to focus on involving the quarter of educators who have no input at all.
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Schools must take on board critical feedback and ensure that any leadership concerns are addressed beyond the pandemic.
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Technology is a strategic priority for most schools, but not enough. There are signs of a two-tier technology landscape, with half of schools pulling ahead using edtech to improve learning outcomes while the other half risk stalling the advancement of modern teaching.
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value — join us for a live demo.
Training
Teacher training and school PD
Training is a top priority at most schools, especially for edtech and modern learning techniques. However, around a third of educators admit it doesn't feature high on the agenda. Blame lack of budget and time — the age-old problem in the education landscape. Some argue that providing more psychological support—and allowing teachers to choose their training—will lead to happier, more productive staff.
Training is widely regarded as a funding priority by educators—albeit more so by school leaders (93%) than teachers (69%).
Staff training:
The headlines
Budget allocation could be better
Nearly a third of teachers say too little budget is allocated towards training.
Funding falling short
More than four out of 10 educators say insufficient training is due to a lack of funding.
Misdirected money
A third of educators say training funds are invested in the wrong things.
Face-to-face and up-to-date
In-class tech training (25%) and modern learning techniques (25%) account for half of schools’ top training priorities.
A shortage of support
Only 16% of staff receive full training and support, and 1/10 receive none at all.
Are schools spending enough on upskilling?
Training is a funding priority, according to 83%. However, 69% of teachers agree compared to 93% of school leaders. There's some way to go until they're on the same page.
Which staff agree training is a funding priority?
SMT*
Teacher
IT
* SMT - School Management Team
“I feel that continuous training is needed to get the confidence needed for innovatively using this technology.”
Always more to learn
The highest proportion of educators (40%) say they receive some training and support, but more could be given. Indeed, only 16% of staff receive full training and support, and 10% receive none at all.
Not always enough time or money
While 32% of educators believe schools are spending enough on training, a significant proportion disagree.
2 in 5 say budget—the perennial problem—is the main reason more training isn’t provided.
31% of teachers and 35% of IT staff feel there’s too little budget allocated to training. Time is the next biggest obstacle for a fifth of educators (21%). Many teachers are left to train outside of work, placing an extra burden on their wellbeing and personal lives.
What do you think is the main reason there is not more training provided at your school?
“Most training is not adequate and is crammed in a short amount of time. Teachers still have to spend their own time learning the concept.”
Does more training autonomy equal better value for money?
Almost a third (31%) of educators believe the training budget is invested in the wrong things. Some suggested that, if teachers determined their own training, they could make the most of their limited time and prioritize essential skills.
“We could allow teachers to choose professional development as opposed to mandating training that is unnecessary.”
Tech training and modern learning are the highest priorities
Half of educators say either in-class tech training (25%) or modern learning techniques (25%) are the highest training priorities. Some complain that schools prioritize technology to the detriment of technology training.
What does your school strategy identify as a priority when it comes to teacher training?
“Our district likes to tell everyone we are 1 to 1 (1 laptop to 1 student) but teachers are not trained well. Any PD for technology is the barest it can be to save time and money.”
Teachers and students need help to be healthier
Some school staff expressed concern that teachers might need additional support to help them cope with the increasing pressures of the job—and students could use extra support to adapt to post-COVID life.
“They are not doing anything to help teachers or students. No support in training for teachers. No support for students and the psychological toll that COVID has taken.”
What does this tell us about 2021?
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Training is high on the list of priorities, befitting its acknowledged value, but budgets and time force teachers to shoulder the burden and inhibit their tech use.
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Although only a minority received full training and support, most staff received at least some. That said, training outside of work hours will keep taking a toll on teachers if left unaddressed.
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Educators are eager to level up their tech skills. Between them, in-class tech training and modern learning techniques account for half of schools' top training priorities.
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A considerable proportion of educators disapprove of how training funds are spent. Schools should reevaluate existing programs to ensure they're investing in the most valuable skills, and they should give teachers more say in what they learn.
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Wellbeing is high on the agenda for all, with signs that teachers would welcome proper support for their own wellbeing, as well as that of their students. An enduring focus on health would ensure the pandemic had at least one positive legacy.
Edtech which doesn’t require intensive training
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Find Out MoreSchool Budgets
Costs and considerations
Budgets and bureaucracy will make strategic objectives hard to achieve this year. This familiar story is causing despondency at a time when higher-level strategic priorities are shifting from exam results to student wellbeing. Technology-wise, while most educators believe tech spend is adequate, many say funds can be invested unwisely. Meanwhile, frustrated staff complain that state purchasing systems often make it impossible to buy what students really need.
Wellbeing is schools' highest priority, but precious few believe it will feature in next year's spending.
Budgets:
The headlines
Money matters
Over half of schools agree budget is a major influence on strategy.
Budget battles
Budgets make it difficult to realize strategic objectives, according to the largest proportion of educators.
Bringing up the budget
Over two-thirds of educators (69%) agree that schools are spending enough on technology, but around half of those (34%) say it can be invested in the wrong things.
Money talks, but not everyone’s listening
Budget is a key factor for 52% of schools when devising strategies and remains a consideration for 44%. For a lucky few (4%), budget is regarded as irrelevant to strategy, suggesting such ample funds are a rarity.
How big a role does budget play when devising your school strategy?
Do you think budgetary constraints will make it difficult for your school to realize its strategic objectives in 2021/22?
Less money, more problems
Unsurprisingly, school staff stress that tight and shrinking budgets are among the most persistent factors standing in the way of educational goals. Some are concerned that certain subjects, particularly sports, win more funding at the expense of others.
“Our district is looking at some huge funding deficits. Reduction and restriction will lead the way until we can get our student numbers up and the financial support of our community.”
The cost of bureaucracy
Even having the funds doesn't guarantee well-resourced classrooms. Educators expressed frustration that bureaucracy often prevents them from purchasing what they need.
“I am afforded very little input on the budgetary process making it difficult to allocate appropriate resources.”
“We are stuck with the bureaucracy of the state’s purchasing system and it is nearly impossible to purchase anything even though we have the money.”
Are schools allocating enough to edtech?
Besides salaries, technology is the biggest spend for most schools. The largest consensus of educators (69%) agrees tech spend is at the right level, although around half of them (34%) say it's not always on the right technology.
“Monies should be invested in the children and not pet projects.”
How do you feel about your school's allocation of budget to technology?
19% of school staff believe tech spend is too low. A closer look reveals that teachers (30%) and IT staff (27%) want more money for edtech—while just 10% of SMT agree. 39% of SMT think tech spend is at the right level—but can be invested in the wrong things.
How do you feel about your school's allocation of budget to technology?
Money doesn't make students happy, at least not yet
Despite social and emotional learning being the highest strategic priority for most schools, the vast majority report that wellbeing won’t be reflected in spending next year. The hidden cost will become apparent in time. Just 1% of schools will invest in wellbeing for 2022/23.
What does this tell us about 2021?
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Strategic vision matters, but budget makes the difference between "possible" and "improbable" educational objectives.
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Bureaucracy and restrictive state purchasing systems are holding students and teachers back. But those who have been able to invest in new tech are reaping the rewards.
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Salaries understandably account for the most significant chunk of spending, but technology is the next highest spend after it.
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Given technology spending is a high priority in most schools, it would reap dividends if everyone agreed that funds were allocated for maximum impact.
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Social and emotional learning is said to be a top priority. But a glance at the 2022/23 budgets uncovers that almost no schools will be paying to improve wellbeing.
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Find Out MoreTech use
Embracing interactive learning
Technology is widely acknowledged to be a great way to engage students and improve educators’ productivity. It’s also seen as a necessary part of everyday life, so should be reflected in lessons. Remote teaching and learning software served teachers best at home, but educators constantly strive to innovate with technology anywhere they can. Tech confidence has increased in the last year, although time and skills remain a barrier for some.
Technology is a highly effective way to engage students, according to the overwhelming majority of educators.
Schools' use of tech:
The headlines
Upping tech uptake
Over 7/10 educators are constantly striving to innovate with edtech.
Embedding edtech
The majority of educators agree technology should be incorporated into lessons.
Powering productivity
Most educators agree technology improves their productivity.
Invested in interactive
Interactive whiteboards (58%) and apps (55%) are the most popular tech after laptops (69%).
Conquering confidence
More than 9/10 teachers say their confidence with technology has increased.
Technology is essential to education
Most educators agree that technology is everywhere, so ought to be in the classroom. And that's not the only reason. Educators value various edtech benefits—from gaining and retaining students' attention to enhancing their own productivity. Indeed, tech has become so central that one educator said they “don’t plan on ever going without it again.”
- 82% of educators say technology is necessary for everyday life, so it should be reflected in lessons.
- 83% of educators believe technology is a great way to engage students.
- 83% of educators believe technology helps them do their job better.
Edtech drives innovation
Technology is not without its challenges. However, most educators recognize its ability to revolutionize teaching and learning, and are excited to explore the full range of possibilities.
72% of educators constantly strive to innovate by using technology as a tool for education—most teachers agree (68%)
"It has its drawbacks like anything else, however if we didn't have it we would be so much further behind."
Technology makes students and teachers work together better
According to the largest consensus of educators, boosting engagement is the first priority for technology (36%). Over a third (34%) also cite using tech to enhance communication and collaboration.
Interactive whiteboards (58%) and apps (55%) are the most widely used technology after laptops (69%).
What does your school strategy identify as a priority when it comes to technology?
Tech confidence is off-the-charts
After countless educators were forced to embrace technology like never before, most have developed valuable skills and a deeper appreciation of its numerous applications. Many now regard edtech as indispensable.
91% of teachers say their confidence with technology has increased.
"I was always tech savvy, but this past year has really pushed me even harder to use technology in so many different ways. I don't plan on ever going without it again."
"The silver lining to this pandemic is that it has given me the opportunity to explore more modern ways of teaching and interacting with my students."
"We have been trying so many new strategies and diving in with all of our new technology. I have learned a lot."
Tech needs training to become even more effective
Of the educators who don't use tech, 41% blame lack of time to learn how to get the most out of it.
Not everyone was fortunate to receive adequate training in the last year. And many struggled to get to grips with new tech while carrying out their other responsibilities. However, those that managed to strike a balance were grateful they did.
"Since we received our new boards, there is so much more we can do with technology. With all the new training we received, and teaching in person and virtual all year, I have had to learn a lot of technology to keep up with all of the needed school and district requirements."
Technology inspires future action
Some of this newfound confidence has no doubt translated to technology’s prominence in strategic decisions. 7/10 of educators agree that tech is important (30%) or integral (40%) to achieving wider school priorities.
How important is the role of technology on your wider strategic priorities? (eg. attainment, school performance, results)
What does this tell us about 2021?
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Technology is non-negotiable for most schools, reflecting its ever-increasing prominence in life and work, and, of course, the value it brings to learning inside and out of the classroom.
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Many students and educators depended on technology to facilitate remote learning last year, and schools are investing in online resources to ensure it's fully integrated.
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Training and budgets remain the leading causes of technology onboarding and utilization.
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Increasing numbers of educators are embracing technology. Interactive whiteboards — teachers' reliable right-hand support — are the most widely used edtech in the classroom.
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Most importantly, technology is helping schools, teachers and students perform better and will continue to do so, provided it’s used appropriately to the learning situation.
Want to modernize your school’s tech use?
See how our classroom edtech can improve teaching and learning value. The ActivPanel is designed for teachers, by teachers — join us for an online demo.
Find Out MoreFuture
Collaborative learning and future edtech
Technology will impact future education more than COVID-19, according to the majority of educators. Budgets, funding, and government policies will also dominate. Almost all are better prepared for remote learning, but fears of a permanent switch proved short-lived. Whenever possible, most classes will be hybrid or in-person, with continued investment in online content and resources to provide ongoing support. Interactive front-of-class technology is expected to grow significantly.
Other than budgets and funding, technology will influence education more than anything else in 2021/22 and beyond, according to 36%.
The future of tech:
The headlines
Future visions and provisions
Virtually all schools have provisions in place for remote learning.
A digital drive
Over half of educators are confident that online content and resources will be among the fastest-growing types of technology.
Prioritizing in-person
More than 4 in 10 educators say classes will be taught in-person where possible, with both digital and analog resources.
Front-of-class at the forefront
Almost half of schools say interactive front-of-class technology will be one of the top three fastest growing types of technology.
COVID-19 underscored the importance of technology
The pandemic made technology essential for most schools and their students. Even as the threat recedes, technology will help them make up lost ground while driving the future of education.
After budgets and funding, technology will have the greatest impact on student education in 2021/22 and beyond, according to 36%.
What do you think will impact student education in 2021/22 and beyond?
"COVID made the district realize the importance of technology skills for all teachers, students and support staff."
"Our school district is focused on leveraging technology to benefit socioeconomic groups harmed by the pandemic."
Ready for anything (now)
Although initially tricky for some, technology proved invaluable during school closures. All but a few educators are more confident in their ability to deliver remote learning, planned or otherwise.
93% of schools are better prepared for unexpected remote learning in future.
Online technology is a permanent fixture, whatever comes next
Online content and resources are expected to see the most growth, say 52% of educators. Schools appreciate that remote learning technology is more than an emergency measure; it's a flexible tool to enhance education and prepare students for an evolving workplace.
Which technologies do you see making the biggest growth in education in the next 1–3 years?
But face-to-face lessons are back
The classroom is here to stay. 42% of educators predict that in future, all classes will be taught in person where possible, with a blend of digital and analog resources.
"Admin wants remote and in-person. Teachers don't think remote will be necessary next year."
And tech will be front and center
47% of educators say interactive front-of-class technology will grow significantly over the next three years, forming a central pillar of schools’ engagement strategies.
"[A truly exceptional school is] one where technology is a part of the learning day since technology is the future."
What does this tell us about 2021?
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No-one would say the last few years have been easy, but the steepest learning curves are behind most educators, and there is less anxiety about what lies ahead.
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COVID-19 accelerated a pre-existing trend towards remote working. In education, it left teachers better prepared for remote learning while underscoring the importance of the classroom.
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Make no mistake, although the education landscape has evolved, traditional teaching methods and face-to-face learning will remain as valuable as ever — especially when using technology to make them even more effective.
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Money and government policies will always be significant factors, but technology will be a crucial enabler whatever lies ahead.
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See how our modern edtech can future-proof your lesson delivery. The ActivPanel is designed for ongoing school benefits — learn more with a live customized demo.
Find Out MoreThis year’s big EdTech questions, answered.
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