5 Steps to Guarantee User Adoption.
At this point in the 21st Century, there is little need to nag about the importance of technology in the classroom. Teachers know the benefits of projecting complex math equations or displaying a visual of the world map during geography. Classroom technology helps both teachers and students engage with the lesson in a more complete manner.
Take wireless screen mirroring, for example. It allows teachers to move around the classroom and work with students 1:1 to help problem-solve, offer encouragement or even challenge students who are ahead of the class. Basically, it means teachers can personalize their lesson, so students are more engaged and get more value out of the teaching.
The benefits of wireless screen mirroring are clear; yet many IT administrators who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to get the technology through the door often see it go unused due to reasons like poor implementation and/or communication, a lack of support, or just a general disinterest from teachers.
So, what happens between the purchase of technology and its implementation? Why are the EdTech experts’ recommendations so often abandoned or ignored?
It’s simple, really. EdTech adoption involves more than simply finding a great product and securing enough funding to buy it. A successful adoption requires that the technology is actually used! And this can be the most challenging part of the process.
The solution is partnering with the right EdTech provider and making sure everyone has the knowledge on its benefits. Here are five steps you can take to ensure your wireless screen mirroring technology adoption sticks.
Step 1: Convert Decision Makers and Leaders
The first step in the process of any adoption is to convince decision makers of the technology’s value. This is often the least challenging step for IT administrators. Many already have purchasing power or, if your district uses a committee to make purchasing decisions, this team has confidence in your expertise.
Step 1 is not about seeking approval, but about converting key leaders. In other words, getting them as excited as you are. Tech-enthusiasm is contagious. When key decision makers such as principals, department chairs and on-site tech leads are excited about new technology, it quickly spreads.
Getting leaders excited requires a strategic approach. It’s a good idea to appeal to the things they value such as performance measures (does it do what we need?), cost-benefit (is it worth backing) and staying power (will it last or is it a fad?).
The Vivi Solution
Wireless screen mirroring technology has already proven it has staying power. It has been used for years and continues to improve. When it comes to the question of its worth, however, it can vary. Wireless screen mirroring tech that merely allows a teacher to share their screen without being tethered to their desk does have its place. But wireless screen mirroring technology that offers a more thorough classroom engagement solution and school-wide management through a scalable, subscription-based SaaS (so that all updates are included in the cost), is so much more. This is what is offered in the Vivi Solution, and that is worth getting excited about.
Step 2: Get Teacher Buy-in
It’s simply a matter of cause and effect: if teachers do not use a tech program, ultimately the adoption will fizzle. School-wide buy-in is the way to keep your adoption alive.
Teachers are more apt to enthusiastically implement EdTech into their practice when they:
- Feel comfortable using the product
- Believe that the effort they put into learning and using the technology will pay off in the classroom.
To foster these feelings, include teachers in as much of the adoption process as possible. Doing so will give you and the adoption team time to demonstrate the benefits of the program or product and give teachers an opportunity to ask questions, express concerns, and communicate their needs. The key is making teachers feel like partners in the process, rather than just voiceless people being dictated to.
In addition to discussing the benefits, it is important that teachers understand how implementation will work. Teachers do not have the time to tinker with technology; they need the assurance that implementation will not take too much time or effort away from their practice. If the demands and expectations are stated upfront, then they will know their efforts will be worth it.
The Vivi Solution
Since we deal exclusively within the education industry, we understand the unique needs and challenges of administrators and teachers. Our team includes education professionals who can discuss specifically, and with firsthand user experience, how Vivi works in the classroom to benefit all learners. We have received feedback that teachers overwhelmingly find the Vivi solution makes their instruction easier. There is no more fumbling with multiple apps, cables or adaptors – teacher tools are contained within one solution – the Vivi system.
Step 3: Provide Comprehensive Training
Once you have secured teacher buy-in by including them in the adoption process, you need to be sure they receive adequate training.
The challenge is reaching all learners. Some teachers will already have extensive knowledge of the technology, either through their teacher training or because they are tech-savvy. Others will lack basic tech skills. To reach all learners, be as multi-faceted and comprehensive as possible with your training plan. This includes offering more than one training opportunity and different learning methods, such as:
- Hands-on exercises
- Representative assistant training
- Webinars
- Self-guided practice
The Vivi Solution
Our Customer Success Managers are effective training leaders because they were all former teachers. They will meet with you and your team to create a customized training plan that fits your school culture and the needs of your staff. In addition to on-site, representative-led training, we provide webinars and self-paced training online. And we provide training as part of your school’s Vivi subscription at no extra cost.
Step 4: Provide Continued, Proactive Support
During the first couple of months of using any new technology, users will have questions and require additional support. For this reason, it is essential that the initial training is not the last opportunity teachers have to learn.
Providing teachers with a way to troubleshoot issues, either with one-on-one tech support or online guides, will help mitigate most significant issues. Teacher tech mentors are an excellent support system for struggling colleagues. We also suggest holding follow-up training sessions to give teachers the opportunity to revisit the technology within their smaller groups, or to provide a user community so that they can share what they’ve learned.
The Vivi Solution
We provide regular webinars such as VIvi 101 and Vivi Best Practices to assist teachers with the use of their Wireless Screen Mirroring technology. Additionally, Vivi Customer Success Managers are available to assist your staff with on-site training as needed. Vivi also has a user community for those who want to share ideas, tip and tricks or troubleshoot.
Step 5: Create a Partnership for Improvement
The best educational experience takes the unique needs of all learners into consideration. Edtech should be no different. A good vendor strives to improve their products and services to better meet the needs of all their customers. So, the final step to ensure a successful adoption involves leveraging your relationship with the program or product vendor to improve user experience.
Find a system to collect user feedback to relay back to the vendor. This may include:
- Administering surveys
- Logging support tickets and email communication
- Conducting after school Q&A sessions
By providing a way for your users to give their feedback, you take a proactive role in improving the experience for your staff. And a positive experience is the glue that helps an adoption stick.
The Vivi Solution
Providing our wireless screen mirroring technology through a subscription service allows us to provide our customers with updates and additions at no extra cost. Our developers use customer feedback and industry research to continually improve our products and services. For instance, we recently added polling and the student feedback tool to the Vivi Solution as a way of providing a more comprehensive student engagement tool!
