For K–12 CTOs, finding a reliable, secure, scalable, and affordable edtech solution can feel isolating. There’s a ton of pressure to make an informed decision to direct a sizable chunk of budget, without a guarantee it will make life easier in your schools.
Here’s how to find the network of likeminded experts: Folks who understand the value of a school budget dollar and know the ins and outs of large edtech purchases.
Ask your vendors for their references
This one is tricky because of the trust placed in the prospective vendor—doesn’t every company want to share success stories, case studies, and testimonials that make their product look good? Of course. Take their response as a litmus test of what a long-term partnership might look like. Is this edtech company willing to match you up with similar tech pros in customer schools to hear the real behind-the-scenes stories, warts and all? Or do they prefer to produce polished stories that only highlight success?You’ll know an edtech vendor who has nothing to hide because they will happily fork over references from real people (with their permission, of course!), then step back and let you connect and ask real questions instead of managing appearances.
Find your peers at regional conferences and gatherings
If you’re not currently working with proposals or actively learning about a solution with a sales representative, there are other ways to find your people.Whether it’s a professional or a vendor tradeshow, you’ll find the edtech experts you seek. It’s great to take demonstrations and offers with a grain of salt, but it’s hard to fake a true interest in the inner workings of building an edtech solution.Clues you may have found an edtech enthusiast at a conference:
- Shop talk isn’t branded: Instead of talking about their solutions' features, they're excited to talk data standards, security measures, and user feedback.
- Putting processes over pressure: They want to hear about what you’re using now and how it’s going before diagnosing and prescribing a serious change.
- Interoperability and flexibility is top of mind: Because every school district is unique, has different needs, and uses multiple solutions district-wide.
Use review sites and forums to pick up user intel
In addition to offering detailed features, most edtech vendors offer resources tooting their own horns, or better yet, celebrating their customer districts’ wins.Case studies share a story about what customers have accomplished.
Testimonials are shorter, specific product or benefit feedback, including video storytelling.
Both of these offerings are usually great, instructive, and even fun. At the same time, they're curated tools to promote and sell edtech.
Instead, crowdsourced reviews on third party sites come from actual users. While it’s important to take these unfiltered and unconfirmed stories lightly (some low reviews are more about the users than the solutions), these raw insights are incredibly illuminating when paired with other resources. You can find edtech reviews on sites including Capterra and G2 reviews. Plus, professional forums (even a subreddit) can be fertile ground to hear unabridged stories of your peers’ experiences.
We’d love to say looking for edtech doesn’t have to be a headache, but the reality is such a large investment calls for careful consideration. Learn more about how choosy CTOs pick edtech and how they measure the return on that investment:
5 Ways Good Edtech Puts People First
4 Ways to Save Money in Edtech Purchasing
When Is the Last Time Vendors Asked for Your Feedback?
Your Ultimate Guide to Edtech ROI
Here from Missouri? Welcome! Check out K12 ERP resources here.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOUR EDTECH? The right combo of tools & support retains staff and serves students better. We'd love to help. Visit skyward.com/get-started to learn more.
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Erin Werra Blogger, Researcher, and Edvocate |
Erin Werra is a content writer and strategist at Skyward’s Advancing K12 blog. Her writing about K12 edtech, data, security, social-emotional learning, and leadership has appeared in THE Journal, District Administration, eSchool News, and more. She enjoys puzzling over details to make K12 edtech info accessible for all. Outside of edtech, she’s waxing poetic about motherhood, personality traits, and self-growth.
