It is hard, these days, to enter a classroom where technology doesn’t play some role. Whether it's students on their phones, using a smart board, or utilizing tablets or an LMS - technology has become woven into our educational landscape. 

With that being said, t is easy to get sucked into the shiny technologies that overpromise on their capabilities, the quality of their content, and the ease of their user experience. This is especially true as AI becomes the focal point for many of these technologies - increasing educators’ instructional reach while minimizing effort and time. 

Amidst the buzz surrounding all the cool new tech, we must remember that these resources are only as good as the content they offer. Education technology resources are only effective if they align with curriculum and instructional strategies that are rigorous, tested, and quality-controlled. However, a 2023 article from EdWeek argues that less than half of all school districts in the U.S., with more than 10,000 students, are utilizing "high-quality" materials in their classrooms.

Just imagine a state-of-the-art virtual reality program designed to teach geometry concepts, but paired with poorly structured curriculum materials lacking clarity and coherence. The result? Confusion and frustration rather than enhanced learning experiences.

Alignment between EdTech tools and high-quality curricula ensures that technology serves as an amplifier of instructional efficacy. When integrated thoughtfully, technology enhances the accessibility, interactivity, and personalization of learning experiences - catering to diverse learning styles and abilities. 

For instance, a well-designed mathematics curriculum, like Illustrative Mathematics, supplemented with engagement tools like SpotCheck can transform abstract concepts into engaging challenges - fostering deeper understanding and retention.

What makes curricula high-quality?

High-quality curricula encompass meticulously designed learning objectives, engaging materials, and pedagogical strategies tailored to meet the diverse needs of learners. A strong curriculum guides students on a path toward academic success and lifelong learning. And there are so many amazing pre-created curriculums out there!

10 Questions to Ask about Content Quality:

User experience is important. Don’t get us wrong. But so is the quality and quantity of the items that the courseware offers. There are questions you should ask yourself about the content when evaluating new tech tools or curriculum:

1. Do these items offer variations that assess the same concept?
2. Does the variety of items meet students where they are at, instead of what their grade level or age deems is appropriate?
3. Do the items include diverse characters and representatives from multiple cultures, genders, industries, races, ethnicities, etc.?
4. Does the content offer real-world scenarios to better prepare students for the world outside of academia?
5. Are the types of questions engaging?
6. Do the items encourage “Higher-Order Thinking”? (Opportunities for Analysis, Application, Synthesis, and Evaluation)
7. Does the tool offer clear feedback that allows students to identify and correct their own misconceptions?
8. Does the tool offer various solution methods?
9. How is the quality of the items controlled? What does the QA (Quality Assurance) process look like?
10. What efficacy metrics or case studies can the EdTech or Curriculum vendor provide to prove success?

The true power of education technology lies not in its novelty, but in its ability to amplify the impact of high-quality curricula. By prioritizing their alignment, educators can unlock the full transformative potential of technology in education.

Let us answer these ten questions and more!

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