Since the pandemic, the education landscape has been irrevocably and undeniably altered. The dynamics of school, learning and teaching today are more complex than ever. As schools grapple with the ongoing effects of the pandemic on learning and the endless data points, how can we give back teachers more time to focus on instruction and quality engagement with students? 

It’s that time that students need.

Why we need to simplify teachers’ work 

The latest research from NWEA highlights that, on average, students need approximately four to five months of additional instruction to see academic gains and achievement that match pre-pandemic levels. One significant way to provide more of that time is by simplifying the work environment surrounding a teacher, especially the tools they use each day to make essential instructional decisions. 

The current reality for many teachers is an overwhelming array of data points and curricular tools at their fingertips. On average, educators have access to hundreds of disparate and disconnected tools that each function differently, require different logins and capture different pieces of their students’ academic health instead of a whole picture. This abundance of tools can lead to confusion and frustration as educators find themselves sifting through conflicting information and navigating complex interfaces, often wasting time clicking multiple tabs, printing various data sheets and trying to make sense of it all to determine what’s next for their students.

Around assessments alone, educators navigate between data points from interim tests, end-of-year tests and in-classroom check-ins called formative assessments. These data can live in multiple places, each using a different way to navigate and a narrow view of the information. This makes understanding what’s next for a student a daunting, time-consuming task.

Edtech vendors need to streamline data use, innovate

This is where education technology can step up in innovative ways. These disparate data points can connect, analyze and highlight additional support areas and where to go next with instruction, all within one streamlined platform. But it can go further than just a straight connection. With innovation and integration of these critical data points, assessments can change in real-time what content to assess next or what may not need to be assessed at all if the student is already showing evidence of competence in that area. 

Consider a student who shows proficiency in math, like fractions, on a formative assessment or a class project on that topic. The data from these touchpoints is fed into a connected system, which informs the upcoming interim assessment about what the child knows or may not know. The teacher now has the information in one place, which helps inform how best to differentiate instruction to continue to drive that student’s academic growth. And, when it’s time for interim testing, that assessment is better tailored to that child and informed by what is actually happening inside the classroom. This makes it a more effective measure of how that student is doing and provides the teacher with quality insights on how best to move forward.

Adding in a broader view with streamlined data points

Beyond just assessment data being more connected, educators must also have a comprehensive view encompassing various dimensions of a student’s academic experience, including curriculum, engagement, social-emotional well-being and individualized progress. This full-picture view would make lesson planning and instructional decisions clear and actionable. 

We don’t need more tools or new, shiny gadgets. We need effective tools to work together in a seamless experience for that teacher. By prioritizing user-friendly, cohesive platforms, we can create a data-informed educational ecosystem that truly serves educators in their work to serve the needs of all students.

As we navigate this post-COVID era in education, the imperative to innovate cannot be overstated. Technology, when harnessed effectively, has the potential to streamline processes and enhance learning experiences. The days of data points coming from this place and that place, while the curriculum is over in a different platform, are over. It’s time to end the overwhelming task of assembling the complex puzzle of understanding a student’s academic journey. 

We’re entering a new era of technology working for teachers that lessen the frustrations, confusion and distractions created by tools that don’t work together. The innovations are just beginning because our teachers deserve our full support to improve, simplify their lives and ultimately empower them to drive incredible student outcomes.

Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own. 

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