Success in EdTech Onboarding: Key Stakeholders and School Types
In our research, we found that schools with well-defined organizational roles, such as having a Director of Technology and Instructional Technologist under the superintendent, are better equipped for successful technology onboarding. These stakeholders play a crucial role in integrating BenQ products into the learning environment.
Schools with sufficient human resources and clear organizational roles often have a director of technology and instructional technologist working under the superintendent.
3 Types of Schools and Their Approach to Technology Integration
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Type A: Tech-Leading Schools
Examples include Crandall ISD, Gladewater ISD, and MsAlester Public School. These schools have ample IT staff and well-structured technology plans. Teachers here actively use BenQ products in the classroom, with some even setting up innovative programs like the planned BenQ Lab at MsAlester.
Type B: Tech-Developing Schools
Menahga Public School fits this category. Though smaller, these schools have sufficient resources and are beginning to integrate technology more fully. Both IT staff and teachers are growing their familiarity with BenQ products and actively plan for more in-depth integration.
Type C: Tech-Beginning Schools
Schools like Independence USD 446 and Pittsburg School District have limited IT resources and no solid technology plans. These schools are in the early stages of exploring BenQ products, and teachers are seeking more structured training to improve usage.
User Onboarding Journey: Key Challenges and Opportunities
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Problem 1: Inefficient Device Management Tools
Technology directors often need to manage hundreds of BenQ boards, but the current system lacks a way to bulk manage them. This creates a significant pain point, particularly in U.S. K-12 schools. Features like naming and grouping devices are not intuitive, adding to the complexity for educators and administrators, especially before they've received adequate training.
Problem 2: Inadequate Training Resources
Both IT staff and teachers have limited time for training, making it hard to absorb all the product details in just a few hours. BenQ's current resources lack structured, step-by-step guides or videos. As a result, when issues arise, users struggle to troubleshoot on their own. The high turnover rate of teachers means that retraining is frequently needed, further complicating the onboarding process.
Problem 3: Limited Post-Sales Support
With the growing demand for BenQ products, the available field application engineers (FAE) and key personnel managers (KPM) are stretched thin, making it hard to provide timely post-sales support. This issue is particularly problematic for schools with smaller IT teams, where troubleshooting can involve long wait times for FAEs to travel and resolve issues in person.
Opportunity 1: Demand for Better Data Management and Insights
School technology directors and IT staff have expressed a strong need for tools that allow them to remotely monitor and manage how BenQ products are used. They want insights into how teachers are utilizing the boards and software in classrooms. While BenQ's current education solutions collect some data, there’s potential to expand these features to meet evolving needs.
Opportunity 2: Enhancing Interactive Teaching Tools
Initially, some teachers were hesitant to adopt BenQ boards because it disrupted their familiar teaching methods. However, after experimenting with the boards and related educational software, they noticed improved student engagement. Teachers are now eager for more integrated educational tools from BenQ to further enrich interactive learning and boost student outcomes.
