Ed Tech Leaders Name Top Tech Enablers Driving Innovation in K-12
Like in many other sectors, K-12 ed tech leaders have named generative AI as their number one "tech enabler," according to a recent CoSN survey. For its 2025 State of EdTech District Leadership report, the association polled 645 ed tech leaders across the United States about various technology issues in education; the survey defined "tech enabler" as a tool that will help drive innovation for the year ahead.
Survey respondents were asked to indicate their top five tech enabler priorities. The most common responses were:
- Generative AI (cited by 65% of respondents);
- Cloud infrastructure (40%);
- Analytics and adaptive technologies (39%);
- Data and information visualization (38%); and
- Accessibility (36%).
"Broadband outside of school" ranked among the lowest priorities, at 9% of respondents — interesting considering the end of the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program and pending policy changes that would make loaner WiFi hotspots ineligible for E-rate funding. Still, survey respondents were highly concerned about the potential impact of eliminating E-Rate funding altogether under the Universal Service Fund. The majority of respondents (74%) said such an action would have significant negative impact; 40% called the potential impact "major" and 34% called it "catastrophic."
The survey also asked which areas are at greatest risk due to the end of federal emergency funding (ESSER). Areas expected to see reduced funding include:
- Classroom technology refresh and modernization (other than devices) (cited by 40% of respondents);
- Devices (39%);
- Cybersecurity (35%);
- Software licenses (24%);
- Teacher staffing (18%);
- IT staffing (16%);
- Broadband access outside of school/off campus (14%); and
- Professional learning (12%).
"The negative repercussions of cutting off access to instructional digital tools and online resources cannot be overstated," the report noted. "AI, which is tied to E-Rate as students need online access to leverage its use, is another key area to watch. While its potential negative impacts — cyber attacks, cyberbullying, and misinformation — cannot be ignored, neither can its potential to transform educational strategies for individualized instruction and empowering learners."
The full report is available on the CoSN site here.
About the Author
Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].