Giving Compass' Take:

· To get the maximum return on investment with edtech tools, Education Dive suggest that schools examine research of the product before purchasing. Knowing what you want and the role the tool will play will prevent wasteful spending on useless programs. 

· What data should schools look at before purchasing new edtech tools? How can educators use research to choose the best tools for their student? 

· Rab more about edtech research and how educators can use it to work for their schools. 

The world of educational technology is an enticing one that offers the promise of ways to engage students in learning and also help teachers easily track their progress. But when faced with the ever-shifting array of innovative technologies that become available, it is easy for school leaders to reach for the newest shiny trinket and end up wasting money on tech they do not truly need. Seeking the advice of experts in the field and reading reviews from other educators can help make these decisions clearer.

However, technology in a box does little to support student progress. One of the newest tasks facing school administrators is that of helping teachers become comfortable with ed tech so that it can be implemented with greatest effect in the classroom and can live up to its promise. As in recent years, this continued to be a hot topic panelists discussed at ISTE. As administrators learn more about these technologies during the summer months, they can plan for professional development on these issues as school begins.

Read the full article about edtech by Amelia Harper at Education Dive.