In theory, education technology should make teaching and learning easier. But for many secondary schools, implementing edtech hasn’t always delivered on its promise, introducing fragmented systems, expanding tech stacks, and overwhelmed teachers.
Instead of saving time, many tools introduce new problems: clunky interfaces, inconsistent training, and skyrocketing costs. And when teachers are buried under layers of digital tools, the impact on learning can be hard to measure or even justify.
So how can schools implement technology more effectively? For institutions wondering how to implement edtech in schools without adding complexity, the answer might be simpler than expected:
Use less. Achieve more.
Why does too much edtech create problems in schools?
Most educators can name at least a handful of edtech platforms their school has trialled or adopted in the last few years. The digital toolkit keeps growing. But so do the challenges:
- Teachers managing multiple logins and platforms
- Students receiving feedback through different systems with little consistency
- Duplicated tools doing the same job in slightly different ways
- IT teams supporting dozens of software licenses, often underused
It’s no surprise that frustration is mounting.
In many schools, the volume of tools is outpacing the value they provide. Rather than enhancing teaching and learning, they risk becoming distractions.
According to the Education Policy Institute , only 32% of teachers felt technology supported them "extremely well" in tracking pupil progress. That gap between adoption and effectiveness highlights a deeper issue: when tech decisions are made without a clear understanding of classroom realities, the tools can quickly become burdens.
With limited time and training, even experienced teachers can struggle to keep up, let alone integrate disparate tools in ways that meaningfully support student learning and engagement.
How to implement edtech in schools without the overwhelm
A better approach to edtech doesn’t mean saying no to digital tools altogether; it means saying yes more selectively.
If you're wondering how to implement edtech in schools more strategically, here are four key steps to simplify your tech stack and refocus on impact:
1. Audit what’s already in use
Many schools find they’re using multiple tools that serve the same purpose or tools that were trialled once and never used again. A strong audit helps identify what’s helping vs what’s hindering.
Start by mapping the tools already in play. Ask hard questions:
- Which departments are using what?
- What’s being used regularly?
- What’s collecting digital dust?
- Are there any duplicated functions?
2. Align your tools with school priorities
Let your educational goals guide your tech strategy. What are you aiming to improve?
- Feedback quality?
- Support differentiation?
- Reduce marking time?
Starting with problems, not products, helps ensure the tools you choose have a real purpose and will be embedded in practice. No tool can solve everything. But the right solution, aligned with your school’s teaching and learning priorities, can make a big difference.
3. Simplify your tech stack
Rather than layering niche tools on top of one another, look for platforms that reduce training time, support needs, and the cognitive load on teachers and students alike. Ask yourself:
- Can this solution perform multiple functions well? Does it consolidate assessment, feedback, and grading into one system to reduce friction?
- Will this reduce logins, interfaces, and maintenance costs?
- Will it integrate with my existing LMS?
Fewer tools often mean fewer headaches. Look for tools that support Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI), a standard that ensures seamless integration with your existing LMS. LTI-compatible platforms reduce setup time, improve user experience, and allow teachers and students to access key features without switching systems.
Author for Connect Online , Gyongyi Horvath, comments on how to implement edtech in schools to create an ecosystem that’s reliable, future proof, flexible and accessible:
“It is essential to focus also on the interoperability between tools, sharing data, data governance and accessibility. The easiest and most sustainable way to do this is by working with existing and well-adopted EdTech standards.”
In an EdSurge opinion piece by Kerry Gallagher and Chris Liang-Vergara, teachers are described as experiencing “initiative fatigue” from the constant push to implement and integrate new technologies - an approach that not only consumes valuable time but also adds to their growing list of responsibilities. Choosing tools that do more without overwhelming their users helps reduce training needs, licensing fees, and integration issues.
4. Invest in teacher training and support
Even the best platform will underdeliver without investment in staff development. A UK government research report on how to implement edtech in schools and colleges highlights that by giving teachers time to learn, practice, and feel confident in using new tools is “critical to normalising technology use and encouraging user engagement.”
Yet, more than half of new teachers (56%) don’t feel confident about using learning technology and only 17% are currently receiving training on digital tools .
Steps your institution can take to close the gap in support of effective edtech use include:
- Providing short, actionable onboarding sessions
- Encouraging peer-to-peer learning and ongoing workshops over one-off sessions
- Collecting ongoing feedback and adjust support accordingly
- Recognizing the teachers who lead by example in adopting and embedding tools thoughtfully.
A platform is only as powerful as the people using it. Schools that support teachers in using tech confidently and consistently tend to see the strongest returns on their investment.
Creating a culture of intentional tech use
Beyond practical steps, a shift in mindset is needed. Schools benefit from moving away from the idea that innovation equals more tech. Instead, foster a culture where digital tools are chosen deliberately, reviewed regularly, and aligned with long-term learning outcomes.
Schedule time in the academic calendar to evaluate the impact of your edtech investments. Are the tools still serving their purpose? Are staff using them confidently? Has student engagement improved? Feedback from both staff and students should drive these reflections.
School leadership plays a key role. When leaders advocate for a smarter digital toolkit, and back that with support and consistency, it sets the tone across the whole institution.
This kind of culture shift helps educators learn how to implement edtech in schools more clearly and confidently.
How can Turnitin Feedback Studio support smarter edtech use?
When it comes to centralizing key teaching and learning tasks, Turnitin Feedback Studio can help reduce tech overload. It brings together key functions like:
- Similarity checking to promote academic integrity
- Inline feedback and grading tools to support student improvement
- Transparent, trackable feedback workflows that save time and support consistency
- Optional paid add-on features including the ability to digitize handwritten work , check for AI writing , as well as supporting the responsible use of AI
Instead of using one app for feedback, another for plagiarism and AI detection, and yet another for grade management, schools can consolidate their approach with one cohesive edtech ecosystem.
Turnitin Feedback Studio integrates with major learning management systems and supports consistent, constructive feedback across subjects.
With all of that said, the question remains:
Can using fewer tools lead to better edtech outcomes?
Knowing how to implement edtech in schools is not about chasing trends or adopting every flashy tool on the market. It’s about making smart, intentional choices that improve learning and lighten the load on educators.
Shaji George ( 2024 ) summarizes: “With care, foresight, and cooperation, technology's gifts may outweigh its harms for empowering students' futures. But a deliberate, evidence-based approach is necessary for governance.”
By focusing on tools that are flexible, multifunctional, and aligned with clear learning goals, schools can reduce complexity and boost impact.
A sustainable approach to edtech benefits everyone.