EdTech (educational technology) refers to the tools, software and services used to support teaching, learning and school administration. It covers learning platforms, classroom apps, content libraries, tutoring tools, assessment software and the hardware that runs them.
Why it matters
EdTech can extend access, personalize practice and automate routine administration, but results depend on how it is used. Because it often handles data about students, including minors, it raises privacy and security obligations, and schools typically evaluate vendors against local data protection law such as GDPR. Interoperability through standards and APIs determines how easily tools work together.
Example
A school's EdTech stack might include:
- An LMS for assignments and grades
- A video tool for live lessons
- An adaptive practice app for maths
- A student information system for attendance and records
If these systems share data via SSO and APIs, students log in once and teachers avoid retyping rosters.
Common mistakes
- Adopting a tool because it is new rather than because it solves a defined teaching problem.
- Ignoring accessibility and low-bandwidth users.
- Skipping a review of what student data a vendor collects, stores and shares.
Related
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