Last Updated on November 17, 2017

What is edtech and how can you determine what sorts of technology are right for your students? This is a question we receive often from educators and parents looking to determine what sorts of modern and digital resources are available to them to enhance their students’ learning.

To get the full picture of education technology and digital programs available to students at every stage of their learning journey, dive into our latest series, Edtech 101. Read on to explore the fundamentals of edtech, and stay tuned for more #edtech101 exploration to come!

The Fundamentals of Edtech

Education technology, known as edtech, has become one of the hottest topics of discussion among parents and educators around the world. For educators who are familiar with edtech, they know that finding the right edtech that fits their school needs is the modern-day key to unlocking a world of success for their students. For those who are less familiar, “edtech” may seem like just another education buzzword. So, what exactly is education technology? Two live education technologies – iBrain and 100mentors, that being used by parents, teachers, and students of all ages – have partnered together to break it down.

Put simply, edtech is the use of technological processes and resources to improve education. It is technology in forms of products, apps, and tools to enhance learning and pedagogy, for all stakeholders in the student’s educational journey (teachers and parents alike!).

The Global Rise of Edtech

Now hold on a second, you are probably thinking that with everything from computers in classrooms to online learning … that this is not anything new. Well, you’re right. edtech has already made a huge impact on education, but many argue that we have only seen a fraction of what is to come. So, while the technology has been out there, the way we are now capable of using it and its potential impact is unlike ever before. Across the globe, educational changemakers are creating and leveraging new groundbreaking technology to improve education and the future of society. The rise of a new education and learning world has begun with investment in edtech set to reach a global total of $252 billion by 2020.

Key Edtech Statistics

But don’t just take our word for it. Teachers across the world are implementing technology in the classroom, and the numbers speak for themselves:

• 86% of teachers think it is absolutely essential to use edtech
• 92% of teachers would like to use edtech even more
• Educators in the U.S. spend more than $3 billion per year on digital learning content
• On average, electronic teaching resources (e.g., textbooks) cost 33-35% less.

(Source: Harris Interactive & Online Universities.com.)

The New Era of Education

There has been a huge increase in the adoption of edtech because most people acknowledge the benefits for present and future students. The world’s first schools date all the way back to ancient times. And while many trends, philosophies, policies and institutions have come and gone, the majority have stayed the same. As we enter this new chapter, the goal of edtech is not to supplant current practices, rather simply change the way of educational delivery.

Here are just a few of the benefits that edtech can bring to your classroom:

• Ramp up student engagement
• Track progress dynamically
• Go paperless
• Collaborate with ease
• Improve digital literacy
• And much more!

As we continue to move forward, it is clear that technology is becoming more of a significant factor in education. With the hundreds of thousands options out there, and many more on the way, we truly can be optimistic about the future of education.

Teachers & Parents, Make the Dive into Edtech

Now that we’ve covered the fundamentals of edtech, why not give it a shot? We have just the tool for you.  For educators looking to prepare their students for the workplace of the future, 100mentors is here to connect your students to 2000+ mentors from across the world. Join us in inspiring the world’s youth!