Technology in Schools: A Strain on Teachers?

When we wanted to see how schools changed during the pandemic, we thought technology would help teachers. But, surprise! Our study found that using learning management systems made teachers feel more burnt out. We surveyed 779 U. S. teachers in May 2022 and did follow-up focus groups in the fall. During the pandemic, schools jumped on new tech like learning management systems, thinking it would make teaching easier. But teachers using systems like Canvas or Schoology said it made their jobs harder. Instead of replacing old tasks, these systems just added more work.

Take lesson planning, for example. Before the pandemic, teachers submitted paper plans. After the pandemic, some teachers had to keep doing that and also upload digital plans to these systems, using a different format. That's a recipe for burnout! Teachers of young kids had it the worst. A kindergarten teacher from Las Vegas said her students had to learn a six-digit number just to access Canvas. That's tough when they can't even count to 10! Teachers also said other things mattered, like support from administrators and their mental health. The bottom line? If new tech makes teachers' jobs harder, it just adds to burnout. And that might make more teachers leave the field. So, when schools bring in new tech, they need to make sure it helps, not hurts. Teacher well-being should be the top priority.

Actions