Classroom technology is a central pillar in how students learn and are taught. Throughout K-12 and higher education, the right tools can meaningfully improve accessibility, student engagement, and learning outcomes.
Despite this, knowing which technologies to adopt can prove challenging. Below, we’ll walk you through the most impactful and appropriate EdTech available today, so that you can make an informed and confident decision for your learning spaces.
The Role of Classroom Technology in Promoting Positive Outcomes
Technology has redefined both how students learn and what effective learning spaces look like. Classrooms are now designed around access to digital tools that go far beyond standard textbooks.
While devices and social media can hinder the educational experience, EdTech enriches learning in a way that engages students and fosters collaboration. Educators have the opportunity of tailoring teaching to make lessons more engaging. In 2018, U.S. school districts used an average of 841 EdTech tools during the academic year. By 2024, the number had increased to over 2,700, with students utilizing an average of 45 unique tools.
The ubiquity of technology in schools has grown to such an extent that schools may legally be required to provide accessible learning experiences for students with disabilities. For instance, in the 2022-2023 school year, approximately 7.6 million kids between the ages of 3 and 21 received special education. For many schools, classroom technology is essential in helping meet those obligations.
Getting classroom technology right is an important step toward creating effective learning environments throughout the school.
What Classroom Technology Should You Introduce?
For more than 50 years, Bluum has aided K-12 schools and higher education institutions in navigating a constantly changing technological landscape. That experience has translated into a deep understanding of what works inside the classroom. Below, we cover the core categories of classroom technology that constantly appear in high-functioning learning environments, regardless of school size or budget.
Classroom Computer
Standing high above all the other technological components in a learning space is the classroom computer. This quintessential piece serves as the main informational gateway for students and educators alike. Most importantly, it allows for the efficient completion of essential tasks, ranging from everyday assignments to collaborating with other students. K-12 students gravitate towards Chromebooks, while older students flock towards more versatile options like Windows laptops and 2-in-1s. Rounding things out are desktops and tablets.
Classroom AV Equipment
Classroom AV equipment is crucial to ensuring that every student can see and hear instructions clearly, no matter where they’re seated in the classroom. Audio-visual equipment covers a wide range of products. Examples include flat-panel screens, voice amplification systems, interactive displays, classroom projectors, and audio solutions, all of which encourage student engagement. In fact, research found that classrooms equipped with interactive displays saw a 16% uptick in participation rates over classrooms relying only on traditional projection, proving that the right classroom AV system makes a noticeable difference.
Here are some examples of frequently used AV systems in classrooms:
- Classroom Displays - Flat panel screens to display content clearly.
- Classroom Voice Amplification - Microphone and speaker systems so every student can hear clearly.
- Classroom Projectors - Projectors are the premier way to display content at scale.
Classroom Printer
Printed materials are still a daily reality in classrooms at every level. This is why a dependable classroom printer is just as important to the technological ecosystem as the computer. Shared school printers aren’t always an option, while lengthy waits can disrupt lesson plans, strengthening the case for having one in the classroom.
Printing volume is also a factor to consider and can vary heavily depending on grade level and subject matter. An English class, for example, may need to print dozens of reading packs per week, whereas an art class may want to prioritize print quality over quantity.
That said, the right choice depends on a classroom’s particular needs. For example, inkjet printers stand out for color-rush output, while laser printers excel at taking on high-volume printing tasks. If the primary task is scanning and making copies, then a multifunction printer is the route to go. In a well-functioning classroom, the right printer performs reliably every time.
STEM Kits for Classrooms
STEM kits for classrooms provide students with a hands-on approach to learning that goes above what books cover. With employment projected to grow at a faster rate than the average for all other occupations, honing these valuable skills from early on sets up students for success in life. From robotics to coding kits, there are options suited to every grade level and subject area. Students working with STEM classroom supplies have an edge in developing valuable collaboration and problem-solving skills that will give them a leg up in a highly technologically dependent world.
To learn more about building a complete STEM-ready environment, visit Bluum’s Computer Lab Solutions page.
- Virtual Reality Headsets - Students will become immersed in interactive simulations that bring lessons to life.
- 3D Printers - Students get to design and create physical objects.
- Robotics Systems - Introduce students to engineering and programming via hands-on experiments.
Note that there are also subject-specific STEM kits you could use, such as science, robotics, and chemistry classroom kits. Let’s explore what these more specialized options can offer.
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Classroom Science Kit
While traditional science kits provide a great foundation for hands-on learning, today’s tech-driven world demands more. Pairing classroom science kits with specific tech solutions provides a more comprehensive learning experience that benefits students and teachers. In fact, testing done across over 100 classrooms revealed that working with technology-integrated classrooms led to higher rates of student engagement.
Platforms like LEGO Education Science and OpenSciEd blend physical kits with tech like interactive content to elevate the lesson and level of immersion. Students can track results in real time and engage in a way that goes beyond simply following directions in a textbook. It’s the most practical step schools looking to modernize can take.
For schools looking to take their science program further, explore Bluum’s full guide to Science Lab Solutions.
- Real-time data analysis tools - Provide students the ability to track and interpret results as they occur
- Virtual simulations - Students can explore concepts digitally
- Interactive digital platforms - Tools such as LEGO Education Science and OpenSciEd enhance traditional science kits
Classroom Robotics Kit
Few educational tools promote scientific curiosity like classroom robotics kits. One of the most effective learning tools available, they turn STEM concepts into things students can build and program themselves. Platforms like VEX Robotics and LEGO Mindstorms excel in bringing robotics directly to students of all grade levels. Schools with traditional non-tech kits can also upgrade with science-specific technology solutions.
According to a 2025 study, when robotics is introduced into the classroom, it results in moderate to large improvements in overall academic achievement and computational knowledge. For students, robotics kits don’t feel like classwork or studying, which is why they work.
- Coding and computational thinking - Teach coding logic via hands-on programming
- Collaboration - Group activities encourage communication among students
- Engineering fundamentals - Students apply learned concepts to the real world
Chemistry Classroom Kits
Unlike chemistry sets of the past, modern classroom chemistry kits employ technology to aid the student in achieving a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Features like data collection and analysis software, along with wireless sensors, allow for real-time syncing with computers and tablets for easy and accurate recordings. Building off these tools, virtual lab platforms give students the ability to measure results in real time. Other tools, like PhET Interactive Simulations, allow students to experiment with chemical reactions from a safe, digital space.
- Virtual lab platforms - Allow students to record and interpret data directly in real time
- Simulation software - Platforms such as PhET Interactive Simulations let students study chemical reactions in a safe, digital space
- Wireless sensors - Sync up with devices to measure results with greater accuracy and efficiency
Key Implementation Considerations for Classroom Technology
Questions worth asking before investing in classroom technology:
- What behaviors and learning outcomes are we trying to promote?
- Do we have students with disabilities who need specific support? What type of tech most benefits them?
- What is our budget for technology investments?
- How will educators be trained?
The answer to these questions isn’t always simple. With considerations like survey feedback, accessibility requirements, and student data, a lot can go unnoticed. Bluum works together with schools to conduct initial audits and provide expert advice at every step of the integration process.
Remember: Classroom Design Is Only the Start
While classroom science kits and AV equipment improve learning, the student experience goes far beyond the classroom itself. From libraries to entrances and hallways, every space within school grounds has the potential to engage students further and encourage learning. Students don’t stop learning once they leave the classroom, and the spaces around them should reflect that.
Begin Building Learning Spaces That Work
Classroom technology can go a long way in transforming how students absorb knowledge, work together, and interact with their surroundings. Knowing the right tools is a good start, but knowing how to implement them well can be challenging.
That’s when having the right partner makes all the difference. The path from selecting the proper tools to classroom implementation can be complex. Doing it without guidance often leads to costly mistakes that can set schools back.
With more than 50 years of support for K-20 educational institutions, Bluum’s hands-on guidance from initial audit to full integration takes the guesswork out of the process, allowing educators to focus on what they excel at.
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FAQ
What classroom technology do schools need to create effective, engaging learning environments?
Essentials often include computers, AV equipment, printers, and STEM tools. Each plays a unique role in providing support, accessibility, and increasing engagement across K-20.
How should school and district leaders design technology-enabled classrooms?
Design can be done by evaluating your current learning environment, setting clear objectives, and identifying what tools are needed.
What are the best practices for evaluating and investing in classroom technology?
Define your goals first, and then evaluate technology based on how well it supports them within your budget and infrastructure. Involving teachers in the decision-making process and tracking outcomes after implementation are two of the most effective ways to ensure a smart investment.