Which edtech tools have stood the test of time?

In 2020, edtech truly came into its element as staff and students relied heavily on remote technologies.

Our annual State of Technology in Education Report has been following the rise of edtech in the classroom for half a decade. We’ve tracked which tools have become essential in supporting lesson delivery and maximising student engagement. Now we’re getting ready to publish the insights from such a unique year. 

So, which tools have been the most popular over time, and who’s used them the most? 

Interactive and handheld tech have long been on the rise. They saw their highest usage rates last year:

• 88% using interactive whiteboards;
• 76% using tablets/iPads;
• 53% using apps.

Paving the way for this year’s switch to remote learning, 2019 also saw a peak in the use of laptops (85%), cloud-based lesson delivery (21%) and screen mirroring (33%). 

Devices like desktop computers were outperformed last year by tools which enable more flexible teaching and learning — they’ve proved invaluable for remote teaching this year, so  will that be reflected in our latest report?

Perhaps most surprisingly, this year’s report found that IT managers use interactive whiteboards most frequently of all staff — 88% using one all the time. The unsung heroes of the classroom, they’ve supported teaching and remote learning more than ever this year. Should this group be more heavily involved in future strategy setting and roadmap planning?

The 2020/21 report offers in-depth insight into the tools educators have most relied on, as well as opportunities to integrate more edtech into the classroom. Want to ensure your colleagues are fully equipped with tech that stands the test of time? Take a look at the full State of Technology in Education report to find out