Teacher resistance and edtech fatigue: How schools can avoid it

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New technology arrives in your school or district with the promise of transforming teaching and learning. Some educators embrace the new technology, while others seem reluctant, overwhelmed or even completely opposed. Instead of excitement, you’re met with pushback. 

When educators are inundated with new platforms, apps and tools, they can suffer from edtech fatigue, resulting in teacher resistance to the new technology. The good news is that with the right strategies, you can address the causes of edtech resistance. 

This blog post will explore teacher resistance to edtech, why it happens and how your team can avoid it. With an action plan, you can create a culture that embraces new technology without causing burnout in your K-12 school or district.

What is the cause of edtech fatigue and teacher resistance in education?

Post-pandemic fatigue

Recent technology fatigue began with the COVID-19 pandemic when educators had to transition completely to digital. An overwhelming number of educators said they were experiencing fatigue. EdWeek stated, “Nearly two-thirds of teachers, principals, and district leaders who participated in a survey conducted by the EdWeek Research Center in December [2021] said they were experiencing technology fatigue. And 79 percent said they felt their teacher colleagues were tired of all the tech use they have experienced over the past two years.”

Although learners returned to in-person classes, most classrooms have continued to incorporate digital learning to ensure students gain 21st-century skills to prepare them for the future workforce. This means that educators are consistently tasked with integrating new tools.

Leaving teachers to figure it out on their own

When educators have to learn how to use new technology on their own, it becomes a burden. Without support, teachers not only have to figure out the buttons and drop-down menus, they have to figure out how to adapt their lessons. It becomes more work on top of their already hectic workload.

The National Education Association explained that asking teachers to adopt new tools without the proper training and support leads to burnout.

One research report also stated, “Some educators may lack the requisite knowledge to deploy technologies and may not have access to adequate training or to onsite support for troubleshooting.” 

A response to valid factors

When it comes to teachers and technology, resistance is more than just a reluctance to change. It’s a response that comes from a variety of factors from a lack of confidence to a concern about pedagogy. Sometimes, teachers have a valid defense, and it could be a sign that a new tool or platform hasn’t been properly vetted or rolled out. 

It’s important then to look more deeply into teachers’ reactions and ask yourself: What is really causing them to push back?

Common causes of teacher resistance to technology include:

• Feeling overwhelmed: Too many new tools introduced too quickly
• Fear of failure: Worrying about looking incompetent in front of learners or parents
• Time constraints: Not enough time to learn, plan and integrate new tools
• Questioning the value: Doubting that new technology will actually improve learning outcomes or streamline instruction

How to support teachers who are resistant to change

Addressing teacher resistance requires empathy and strategy. It’s about supporting teachers rather than just directing them to use an edtech tool. The goal is for edtech adoption to be collaborative rather than a “top-down” mandate. Here are strategies you can begin using whether you are a technology director, school leader or technology coach.

Include educator input when considering whether to adopt a new tool

First and foremost, it’s important to remember who will be using the technology. Your technology adoption will only work if educators have buy-in and the tool or platform matters to them. Include educators in the decision-making process so they can explain how they will use the tool. 

Danville Community School Corporation included teachers in their decision-making process for a new classroom management solution. Their previous solution wasn’t working out for them, and they need to make a switch. The district made sure to include teachers in the process, and they agreed that Hāpara’s classroom management solution was the best choice for them. This made their new adoption a success.

Prioritize the “why” before “how”

Before you ask teachers to start using new technology and tell them how it works, you should communicate why they should use it. Connect the tool directly to instructional goals and learning outcomes. Will it help personalize learning? Will it save teachers time sharing resources? Will it support digital citizenship and keep learners safe?

When teachers clearly understand the advantages of technology and how it will make their job easier, they’re more likely to invest their time and energy. The goal is not just to present a new tool to teachers. The goal is to present a solution to a common classroom problem and how it will improve instruction and learning outcomes.

If you can’t identify that for teachers, then you will get pushback or low adoption.

Leverage champions in the school

In any school, there are early adopters or “champions” of the technology who are excited about using it in their classroom. Empower these educators to become peer leaders. A recommendation from a trusted colleague down the hall is often more powerful than a directive from an administrator. 

These peer leaders can:

• Share success stories in staff meetings
• Lead small-group training sessions
• Co-teach a lesson with a hesitant teacher while using the new edtech tool

Because so many teachers are facing burnout, it’s important not to create more work for your educators who champion technology. Offer them something in return for their time so they are recognized for going above and beyond.

Offer meaningful professional development

Teaching educators to use technology needs to be relevant to their specific needs. Additionally, to build teacher confidence, you need to implement ongoing opportunities for professional development.

Offer differentiated training 

Not all teachers have the same skill level or experience with technology. Consider providing sessions for beginners, intermediate and advanced users. You can also provide training for different grade levels or subjects educators teach. This is a great way to use your edtech tool champions, too. Ask them to help facilitate a training session and share their expertise.

Instructional Technology Specialist Mike DeLeon of Valley View Community School District 365-U ensures every educator has the training they need through in-person and asynchronous options, depending on their needs. By ensuring that all teachers are trained to use Hāpara Classroom Management, the adoption rate has been successful.

DeLeon says, “Because they’ve been properly trained, teachers are using Hāpara consistently and effectively.”

Focus on pedagogy, not just where to click

Training should focus on how the tool will enhance instruction and learning, not just which buttons to press. This relates back to the “why.” Why will this tool help teachers day to day?

Create a safe space to learn

Encourage teachers to experiment with the new tool and assure them that it’s okay not to be an expert right away. They need space for trial-and-error without the expectation that they have to be successful on day one.

Allow teachers to use what they’ve learned immediately

Teachers should leave a training session feeling eager to use the new tool in their classroom. To ensure that eagerness doesn’t fade, make sure teachers are set up with their accounts and are able to try it out in a real classroom environment. For instance, you don’t want to have a training session at the end of the school year and expect teachers to start using it after the summer break. 

Provide time during the work day

One of the biggest obstacles for teachers when trying to integrate new technology is time. Expecting educators to learn and implement new tools on their own time creates fatigue and resistance. 

To honor their time, build space into the school day for technology integration and professional development. You could also give substitute coverage for teachers to observe their peers or allocate time during department meetings for model lessons. 

Another way to honor teachers’ time is to set aside professional development time for exploration. Without the pressure of a scheduled agenda, teachers can explore a new tool with colleagues or on their own.

Choose edtech that offers flexible professional learning

Hāpara offers the best classroom management solution with ongoing support and training options. Hāpara’s team includes former educators and technology administrators and understands how important it is to offer flexible professional learning options for strong adoption in your school or district. 

• Virtual training: A Hāpara expert will lead a virtual training session for a small group of teachers, such as a grade level team or department.  
• Onsite training: A Hāpara expert will lead differentiated sessions at your district or school site for a hands-on approach. 
• Short online courses: Hāpara Learning Bytes courses are free for all customers to access and only take an hour or two to complete. These courses walk educators through each Hāpara tool and are tied directly to pedagogy. Educators are awarded micro-badges to recognize their effort.

Many districts implement Hāpara training in the beginning of the school year or when they first adopt Hāpara. Then they have a follow-up for differentiated groups and refresher sessions mid-way through the semester or school year. They also share the free Hāpara Learning Bytes courses as a great way to follow up with expert-led sessions.

Strategies for coaching teachers on technology

Coaching also helps your team overcome teacher resistance and build lasting technology usage. A good technology coach acts as a partner to educators, rather than an evaluator of how they’re using edtech.

Start with relationship-building

Before you can coach anyone, you need to build trust and mutual respect. Get to know your individual teachers’ strengths, challenges and classroom goals. Listen to their concerns about technology without judgment. When they feel respected and heard, they are more open to guidance. 

Offer 1:1 support

When you work personally with teachers to integrate technology through collaboration and modeling, there will be meaningful usage in the classroom and growth on the teacher’s end. 

Just as we do with learners, an “I do, we do, you do” approach works well when coaching teachers.

• I do: Model a lesson using the new technology yourself.
• We do: Co-plan and co-teach a lesson with the teacher.
• You do: Support the teacher as they lead a lesson with the new tool, and ask the teacher to reflect on the technology integration. Then offer clear feedback they can use the next time.

Get creative to inspire educators

Because teachers are short on time, they may be hesitant to work with a technology coach. Education Week suggests getting creative to motivate teachers to ask for help and try out new tools. For instance, one strategy is “Extreme Makeover,” based on the reality show. This initiative encourages teachers to try new technology in place of an outdated classroom practice. 

Focus on small wins

Instead of asking educators to completely integrate a new tool’s full list of features every day, start with one manageable aspect. Help a teacher focus on the feature that will solve the most pressing problem in their own classroom. 

For example, that could be differentiating digital learning through Hāpara’s robust student grouping feature. It could be helping learners who are still developing their executive functioning skills by using the Share links feature in Hāpara. Or it could be a focus on developing learners’ accountability through Hāpara Hall Pass.

Once teachers feel confident using that feature, celebrate that win and work with them to try a new feature.

Balance teacher wellbeing and technology implementation

As a school or district leader, your role is to support teachers in using tools, not just accumulate technology. Every tool should have a clear purpose, and every technology initiative should have a thoughtful roll out. 

When you focus on the people who will use the technology and choose edtech partners like Hāpara, you can turn resistance into adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why do teachers resist using technology in the classroom?
Teacher resistance to technology often comes from feeling overwhelmed, lacking confidence or not seeing how it benefits their teaching. When new tools are introduced without proper support or clear value, it can feel like just another task added to their full workload. 

How can schools address teacher resistance to technology?
Schools can address teacher resistance by involving educators in technology decisions, offering meaningful training and focusing on how the tools solve real classroom challenges. Building trust, providing time for practice and celebrating small wins can make a difference in adoption.

How can coaching teachers help with technology adoption?
Coaching teachers with personalized support helps them feel confident in using a new tool. By modeling lessons, co-teaching and offering one-on-one guidance, technology coaches can create deeper adoption in the school.

How can schools support teachers in learning new technology?
Teaching teachers to use technology starts with ongoing professional development. Offer training that’s relevant and tailored to teachers’ needs. Include time during the workday for practice and choose edtech companies that offer flexible training options.