What is Education Technology Preferences?
Polling educators and administrators on their technology preferences reveals which digital tools, platforms, and instructional approaches are gaining traction in classrooms and institutions. The EDUCAUSE Horizon Report identifies adaptive learning platforms, AI tutoring, and immersive simulations as the three technologies with the highest expected adoption growth through 2027. Comparing individual preferences against aggregate peer data helps educators evaluate whether their technology strategy aligns with, leads, or trails sector trends.
Why This Matters
Student engagement correlation
The Gallup-NewSchools Student Engagement Survey found that students in classrooms using interactive technology report 23% higher engagement scores than those in lecture-only environments. However, the same survey shows that technology alone is not sufficient; the quality of pedagogical integration matters more than the tool itself.
Institutional competitiveness
EDUCAUSE reports that 68% of prospective students consider an institution's technology infrastructure when making enrollment decisions. Schools and universities that lag on LMS capabilities, hybrid learning options, and digital student services lose applicants to institutions that present a modern, technology-enabled learning environment.
Educator workload management
According to the EDUCAUSE Horizon Report, educators who adopt AI-assisted grading and automated formative assessment tools save an average of 5 to 7 hours per week on administrative tasks. This time recapture directly translates to more hours available for student interaction, curriculum development, and professional growth.
Common Mistakes
❌ Adopting tools without faculty training
The Gallup-NewSchools survey found that 54% of teachers who received fewer than 4 hours of training on a new platform abandoned it within one semester. Technology adoption without sustained professional development creates expensive shelfware and faculty resentment. Budget training hours at a 1:1 ratio with the tool license cost.
❌ Chasing trends instead of solving specific pain points
Virtual reality headsets are exciting, but if the core problem is that 30% of students fail to submit homework, a notification and accountability platform solves more than immersive tech. Start with the specific student outcome or educator bottleneck, then select the tool that addresses it.
❌ Ignoring accessibility and equity
Technology preferences that assume every student has a high-speed connection and a modern device exclude the 15 to 20% of students the NCES reports lack reliable home internet. Any technology strategy must include offline access modes, device lending, and low-bandwidth alternatives to avoid widening the digital divide.
Industry Benchmarks
| Category | Good | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-12 schools | 1:1 device ratio, integrated LMS, regular tech PD for staff | Shared devices, basic LMS, annual tech training | No device program, no LMS, no structured tech support |
| Higher education | Unified LMS with analytics, hybrid course capability, AI-assisted tools | Standard LMS, limited hybrid options, manual grading | Fragmented platforms, no hybrid infrastructure, email-based submissions |
| Corporate training | Adaptive learning paths, competency tracking, mobile access | Static e-learning modules, completion tracking only | In-person only, no digital learning infrastructure |
Source: EDUCAUSE Horizon Report and Gallup-NewSchools Student Engagement Survey
Benchmark data sourced from EDUCAUSE Horizon Report and Gallup-NewSchools Student Engagement Survey.