The early days of implementing a technology product are always exciting. There is curiosity and enthusiasm to try something new and make it work. However, in our experience at Schoolpad, the real challenge when it comes to technology integration is to ensure that it has a sustained impact. It is heartening that more and more school owners and principals are becoming technology-conscious and that there is an increased willingness to experiment and adapt and integrate technology meaningfully. But while the intent is no longer a problem, execution continues to be.
We need to remember that a technology solution does not exist for its own sake. It has a defined purpose and a goal. And unless a technology solution truly achieves its goals, its integration is meaningless. In the context of schools, every school management has certain outcomes and a vision that they want to realize when it comes to running their school. A technology platform is used as a tool to both accelerate and maximize the achievement of these desired outcomes. However, in our many conversations with school owners and principals, we have realized that more often than not, schools struggle with integrating technology tools in ways that drive real and measurable outcomes.
What Is The Primary Challenge?
Every school wants to integrate a piece of technology into its system in a way that enhances the quality and growth of the school. However, simply incorporating a technology tool into various departments is not enough. The key to success lies in adapting a well-defined and strategic outcome-driven approach to technology integration. To harness the true strength and impact of technology, schools need to look beyond a mechanical approach to technology integration and stop sleepwalking through it like a routine process.
An outcome-driven approach involves identifying the desired outcomes of technology integration and the stakeholders who will benefit from it, and then aligning the technology integration accordingly. The ultimate aim is to go beyond just the stated function of any tool and use it in a way that is practical, effective, and impactful in the long run. For example, a tool used to collect and maintain student data cannot only be used to maintain records. It must also be able to assist in meeting regulatory compliance requirements. Similarly, a tool to manage examination records should help identify areas of improvement and facilitate measures to bring student performance back on track.
Essentially, we have to use technology with a holistic approach that intertwines with our daily challenges and daily goals, and improves how our school functions on a day-to-day basis. We can always choose to use technology to have a limited, defined impact. But we must remember that when used with instinct and initiative, technology can be a game-changer.
What Is The Right Approach?
The goal of integrating any piece of technology should be to extract maximum value from it and drive consistent growth while helping schools handle their day-to-day challenges better. We must integrate technology in a way that promotes consistency of both usage and growth and is easy to adapt and sustain. For instance, a technology tool used for fee records should aim to reduce the number of defaulters through consistent reminders and alerts and make fee reconciliation easier to prevent fee pilferage. Communication technology should look beyond just making communication with parents easier for the teachers but should also help the school management extract reports to monitor consistency and quality of communication. Instead of acting merely as a vehicle of information, it should become a bridge through which parents can stay connected to their child’s activities and growth in school.
These are just some examples of how technology can be integrated with a nuanced, well-thought, and outcome-driven approach. We have to remember that technology and tools are not a bubble that exists outside of our vision for our schools. They must be woven in with our goals and ideas and outcomes that we had always hoped to achieve. Ultimately, integrating technology should be seen as a means to achieve desired outcomes, which can help overcome various challenges faced by school owners. With an outcome-driven approach, schools can ensure that technology integration is successful, enhances the quality of education, and drives consistent growth. Ultimately, for technology to be the vehicle of our success, we must look above and beyond what we think it can do and use our innovation and outcome-oriented approach to achieve its true potential.
Want to understand how Schoolpad can help you adapt an outcome-driven approach to technology integration? Want to know how we can accelerate your growth and maximize the outcomes? Please feel free to get in touch with us at connect@schoolpad.in . You can also click on the request a demo link and one of our coaches will get in touch with you.
