On Point | Podcast cover image

On Point | Podcast

Is education technology actually helping students learn?

Mar 6, 2025
Katie Akerage, a dedicated English teacher passionate about enhancing classic texts with tech, joins Antero Garcia, a Stanford professor advocating effective technology use in education, and Adam Fial, an expert in tech implementation in schools. Together, they explore whether the significant financial investments in educational technology truly enhance learning. They tackle the balance between digital tools and engaging teaching, the impact of post-pandemic tech shifts, and the disparities in access that affect student success.
47:13

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Quick takeaways

  • Despite substantial investments in educational technology, stagnant literacy and math scores highlight an effectiveness gap needing urgent attention.
  • Teachers must balance traditional learning methods with technology to enhance student engagement while avoiding distractions in digital environments.

Deep dives

Financial Investment in EdTech

American schools allocate between $26 to $41 billion annually on educational technology, a number projected to grow significantly, with the e-learning market reaching an expected $170 billion by 2030. While technology aims to alleviate administrative burdens and enhance learning experiences, concerns linger regarding its actual effectiveness. With student literacy and math scores remaining stagnant despite increased tech investment, the fundamental question arises: how can technology be leveraged to genuinely enhance education rather than merely fill budgets? The current state indicates potential misalignment between edtech promises and real educational outcomes.

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