Making the Most of EdTech: Resolutions for Educators and Administrators

As the new year begins, it's the perfect time for educators and administrators to reflect on how we can better harness the power of EdTech to elevate learning outcomes. Continuous learning has never been more crucial in an era of rapid technological advancement. The tools we use in the classroom and beyond are evolving faster than ever, and staying ahead of the curve is vital to ensure we're maximizing their potential. This year, let's resolve to embrace EdTech with purpose so we're not just keeping up but leading the way. 

Here are resolutions to inspire meaningful changes in how we integrate technology into education: 

1. Commit to Continuous Learning 

Why It’s Important: The EdTech landscape is rapidly evolving, with new tools, platforms, and innovations emerging regularly. For educators and administrators, staying updated is essential to make the most of these advancements. By keeping up with the latest trends and tools, you ensure that your teaching methods are enhanced, your workflows are streamlined, and your students receive the most relevant and compelling learning experiences.  

Resolution: Attend one professional development session or EdTech webinar each quarter.  

Practical Tip: Subscribe to newsletters, follow thought leaders on social media, or join online communities like EdSurge or ISTE. 

2. Start Small with New Tools 

Why It’s Important: Introducing too many new tools at once can overwhelm educators and students. When too many changes happen simultaneously, it becomes difficult to fully grasp or integrate any tool effectively. Instead of fostering innovation, it leads to confusion and burnout. Starting small with one or two tools allows everyone to become comfortable with them before moving on to others. This incremental approach ensures that new tools are used thoughtfully and their benefits are realized without overwhelming teachers or students with the pressure of learning too much.  

Resolution: Introduce one or two new tools each semester.  

Practical Tip: Choose tools that tackle specific challenges, such as engagement or grading. 

3. Prioritize Accessibility and Inclusivity 

Why It’s Important: Prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity in EdTech ensures that all students can engage with content effectively regardless of their learning needs. Inclusive tools accommodate a wide range of abilities, from visual or hearing impairments to learning disabilities, making education more equitable. By choosing tools with built-in accessibility features, such as screen readers, text-to-speech, or customizable fonts, educators can create a learning environment where every student has the support they need to succeed, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital learning experience.   

Resolution: Evaluate whether your current tools and practices are accessible to all students.  

Practical Tip: Incorporate tools with built-in accessibility features, like screen readers or captioning options. 

4. Leverage Data to Drive Decisions 

Why It’s Important: Leveraging data allows educators to gain deep insights into student performance and engagement, guiding them in adjusting teaching strategies and providing targeted support. By reviewing analytics from EdTech platforms, educators can identify trends such as which topics students are struggling with or where they excel. This data-driven approach helps make decisions more precise, enabling teachers to address gaps in learning, personalize instruction, and make informed decisions to improve student outcomes throughout the semester.  

Resolution: Regularly review analytics from EdTech platforms to identify trends and adjust teaching strategies.  

Practical Tip: Use data dashboards to pinpoint struggling students or refine lesson plans. 

5. Strengthen Collaboration with Colleagues 

Why It’s Important: Collaboration among colleagues is crucial because it fosters a community of shared knowledge, helping educators refine their use of EdTech tools. By exchanging experiences, challenges, and successes, educators can adapt strategies that work in their classrooms, improving efficiency and student engagement. This collective learning empowers teachers to make the most of the resources available and helps create a unified approach to technology integration. Sharing best practices strengthens the overall impact of EdTech, ensuring it’s used effectively across all teaching environments.  

Resolution: Host monthly discussions or workshops to share successes, challenges, and ideas for EdTech use.  

Practical Tip: Create a shared resource hub or use tools like Google Workspace to collaborate on lesson plans. 

6. Set Realistic Goals for Technology Integration 

Why It’s Important: Setting realistic goals for technology integration is essential because it allows educators to take a measured, step-by-step approach, reducing the risk of overwhelming themselves or their students. By focusing on small, achievable goals, educators can ensure that each tool or platform is implemented effectively before moving on to the next. This phased approach makes it easier to track progress, adjust strategies, and see meaningful improvements over time, leading to better outcomes without causing burnout or frustration for educators or students.  

Resolution: Outline specific, achievable goals for using technology in teaching or administration this year.  

Practical Tip:  

For educators: Aim to integrate a new tool into one lesson per week.  

For administrators: Focus on automating one repetitive task, like attendance tracking or communication. 

7. Encourage Feedback from Students and Staff 

Why It’s Important: Encouraging feedback from students and staff is essential to ensure the tools used meet their needs and enhance the learning experience. Understanding firsthand experiences helps identify what’s working well and what needs improvement. This feedback loop allows educators to fine-tune their use of EdTech, making adjustments to maximize engagement, accessibility, and effectiveness. It also fosters collaboration and inclusion, as students and staff feel valued and empowered in shaping their educational environment.  

Resolution: Conduct surveys or open discussions to gather input on EdTech tools.  

Practical Tip: Use quick Google Forms or informal class discussions to collect feedback. 

8. Embrace Flexibility and Experimentation 

Why It’s Important: Embracing flexibility and experimentation is crucial because it encourages innovation and adaptability in a rapidly changing EdTech landscape. Not every tool will fit perfectly into every classroom or administrative workflow, but exploring new approaches can uncover creative ways to solve challenges and enhance learning outcomes. This mindset helps educators and administrators remain open to change, learn from trial and error, and discover the full potential of EdTech tools. Ultimately, flexibility fosters resilience and progress in education. 

Resolution: Test one unconventional use of an EdTech tool each semester. 

Practical Tip: Use a classroom collaboration tool like Padlet to host virtual brainstorming sessions for students. 

These resolutions, from continuous learning to setting realistic goals, can help educators and administrators use EdTech to its full potential. Start small, stay flexible, and collaborate with others—small steps can lead to significant impacts.