Why EdTech Matters: The Crucial Role of Upskilling our Education professionals

‍What Is EdTech?

EdTech (Educational Technology) uses digital tools—like AI tutors, VR classrooms, and learning apps—to enhance teaching, learning, and education management. It spans K-12 schools, universities, corporate training, and lifelong learning (Havinga et al., 2025).

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Examples of EdTech Supporting Institutions:

1. K-12 Schools:

Google Classroom (Global): A free platform for teachers to distribute assignments, give feedback, and collaborate with students.

Seesaw (USA): A student portfolio app where young learners document work via photos/videos, fostering parent-teacher engagement.

‍Smart Sparrow (Australia): Lets teachers create adaptive, interactive lessons tailored to individual student needs (e.g., math/science).

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2. Higher Education & Corporate Training:

OpenClassrooms (France): Offers accredited online courses with mentorship, bridging education and job skills.

Labster (Denmark): Virtual science labs for universities/colleges, reducing costs of physical equipment.

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3. Lifelong Learning:

Duolingo (USA): AI-powered language learning app used by schools and adults.

‍Coursera (USA): Partners with universities to provide upskilling courses in tech, business, and more.

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Why do EdTech companies matter for Education sector?

EdTech companies are transforming education, and teachers stand at the heart of this change. Here’s why they matter:

1. They Save Teachers Time & Reduce Workload

Automated Grading & Feedback (e.g., Gradescope) speeds up assessment.

Lesson Planning Tools (e.g., Nearpod, Twinkl) provide ready-made, interactive resources.

AI Teaching Assistants (e.g., MagicSchool AI) help generate quizzes, rubrics, and IEPs in seconds.

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2. They Personalise Learning for Students

Adaptive Learning Platforms (e.g., Century Tech, Squirrel AI) adjust content to each student’s level.

AI Tutors (e.g., Khanmigo) offer 1:1 support, freeing teachers to focus on struggling learners.

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3. They Make Classrooms More Engaging

Gamified Learning (e.g., Kahoot!, Classcraft) boosts participation.

VR/AR Field Trips (e.g., Google Expeditions, Prisms VR) bring abstract concepts to life.

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4. They Bridge Gaps in Equity & Access

Low-bandwidth apps (e.g., Kolibri, Ustad Mobile) help offline/remote students.

Translation Tools (e.g., Microsoft Immersive Reader) support multilingual classrooms.

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5. They Offer Teachers New Career Paths

Many EdTech companies hire educators for roles like:

✔ Curriculum Design (e.g., creating courses for Duolingo, Outschool)

✔ EdTech Coaching (e.g., training teachers on Canva for Education)

✔ UX Research (e.g., improving apps like Seesaw based on teacher feedback)

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With 93.3 million EU students impacted by EdTech (Havinga et al., 2025), education professionals who embrace these tools gain:

✅ More efficient workflows

✅ Deeper student engagement

✅ Opportunities to shape the future of EdTech

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Some stats to visualise the European EdTech sector: 

7,800+ companies (up from 6,425 in 2023) (Havinga et al., 2025).

Impacts 93.3 million students and 5.24 million teachers across the EU (European EdTech Alliance, 2025).

44% of EdTech companies focus on workforce training, while 30% serve K-12 schools (HolonIQ, 2024, cited in Havinga et al., 2025).

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Yet, EdTech needs education professionals’ expertise to design effective tools. For example: 86% of primary teachers in the EU are women, but only 26% of EdTech CEOs are female (European EdTech Alliance, 2022). Your perspective can bridge this gap!

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How your current skills align with in-demand roles and then strategically upskill to fill any gaps.

Making the leap from the classroom to the EdTech sector is a natural career progression for many educators. Your deep understanding of pedagogy, classroom dynamics, and student needs is invaluable to a field that is constantly trying to improve teaching and learning. The key is to recognise how your current skills align with in-demand roles and then strategically upskill to fill any gaps.

1. Identify Roles That Match Your Expertise

Your classroom experience has prepared you for a variety of roles that may not seem obvious at first glance.

• Curriculum Designer: This role is a perfect fit for a teacher. You'll be creating the digital lessons, courses, and educational content that will be delivered through a platform. Your expertise in structuring learning objectives, creating engaging activities, and assessing student understanding is the core of this job.
• Learning Experience (LX) Designer: While similar to a curriculum designer, an LX designer focuses more on the usability and flow of the digital product. You'll be a bridge between the content and the user (students and teachers), ensuring the app or platform is intuitive, accessible, and genuinely effective. Your classroom observations about what works and what doesn't are crucial here.
• EdTech Trainer or Onboarding Specialist: Many companies hire former educators to train other teachers on how to use their product. You can lead workshops, create tutorial videos, and provide one-on-one support. Your ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms and build rapport with educators makes you a highly effective advocate for the product.
• Community Manager: This role involves building and nurturing a community of users around a learning platform. You’ll moderate online forums, host webinars, and gather feedback from teachers to help improve the product. Your experience managing a classroom and fostering collaboration can translate directly to this role, as you're essentially building a professional learning community on a larger scale.

2. Leverage Free Resources and Upskill Strategically

You don't need a formal degree to get started. Many free or low-cost resources can help you build the necessary skills and a portfolio.

• Take EdTech Certifications: Look for free online courses offered by tech giants. For example, Google offers certifications in their education suite that will make you a more attractive candidate.
• Master the Tools: Familiarize yourself with a wide range of EdTech tools, from gamified learning apps like Kahoot! to design platforms like Canva for Education. This not only gives you practical experience but also helps you understand the design and user experience behind a successful product.
• Create Your Own Projects: Build a portfolio. Design a sample digital lesson, create a short training video, or write a blog post reviewing a new EdTech tool. These projects demonstrate your passion and skills to potential employers.

3. Network Strategically

The EdTech community is a tight-knit one, and connections can open doors.

• Join Online Communities: Engage with platforms like the European EdTech Alliance and various LinkedIn groups focused on EdTech and instructional design. Participating in discussions and offering your insights as a teacher can get you noticed.
• Attend Virtual Events: Even if you can't attend major conferences, many organizations host free webinars and online summits. These events are great for learning about new trends, hearing from industry leaders, and making valuable connections.
• Follow Key Initiatives: Stay informed about major policy changes and initiatives, such as the EU's Digital Education Action Plan. This demonstrates your commitment to the sector and gives you a broader understanding of its challenges and opportunities.

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The Bigger Picture

EdTech isn’t replacing teachers—it’s amplifying their impact. With Europe prioritising digital sovereignty (Havinga et al., 2025), your classroom experience is invaluable to shape ethical, effective tools.

Push for inclusive design—many tools lack input from educators.

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References

European Commission (2021) Digital Education Action Plan (2021–2027). Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/education/education-in-the-eu/digital-education-action-plan_en

Havinga, B. et al. (2025) European EdTech Startup Innovation Ecosystem. Bielefeld: European EdTech Alliance.

HolonIQ (2024) EdTech startups in Europe by Sector. Dataset provided to EmpowerED.

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