By Madeleine Mortimore
Classroom technology is at a turning point. Rather than asking which new educational tools can be added, more school leaders are asking which EdTech solutions are the right fit for their students and classrooms. As one-to-one device programs expand, the consequences of those choices grow: the wrong tools can create distraction, discomfort, and disengagement. To help districts and schools make smarter decisions, the LEAPS framework provides a practical way to evaluate and select EdTech that truly supports teaching and learning.
What LEAPS Means
LEAPS is an acronym that stands for Learning Environment, Accessibility, Personalization, and Students’ physical and emotional development. Used together, these four criteria guide procurement and implementation so that technology enhances instruction rather than complicating it. One persistent challenge is that much of the technology available in classrooms today was not designed specifically for students or educators. Too many products are adult-centric, forcing schools to adapt devices or software in ways that reduce effectiveness.
The consequences of ill-fitting tech reach students directly. Educators report that tools that don’t match student needs can lead to frustration, lower engagement, and even physical discomfort. For example, a survey by Logitech and Education Week found that 74 percent of educators believe students’ physical comfort with educational technology affects their engagement, and 28 percent of secondary teachers reported students experiencing neck, back or wrist pain while using classroom devices.
How to Choose the Right EdTech
LEAPS can act as a strategic checklist when evaluating devices, peripherals, and software. Below are the practical considerations for each element of the framework.
1. Learning Environment: Choose Tools That Just Work
Classrooms are dynamic. Lessons shift from group work to independent practice, from presentations to hands-on projects. Technology that requires complex setup, frequent troubleshooting, or constant charging creates friction and steals instructional time. Look for devices and accessories that are intuitive, reliable, and built for classroom use—products that teachers can depend on without constant IT support.
Durability is paramount. Educational settings demand hardware that is sturdy, easy to clean, and capable of connecting to multiple devices and platforms. Prioritizing these features reduces downtime, lowers replacement costs, and prevents tech-related burnout for both students and staff.
2. Accessibility: Ensure Tools Serve Every Learner
Providing the same devices to all students is not the same as meeting each student’s needs. True accessibility requires inclusive design and options that adapt to individual learning differences. Research shows that digital writing tools and tablets can improve spelling accuracy and help students with learning differences express more ideas. Devices and software designed with diverse learners in mind can remove barriers and create more equitable opportunities for participation.
When selecting EdTech, favor products that involve users with adaptive needs in their design process and that incorporate accessibility features from the start—text-to-speech, customizable input methods, adjustable displays, and alternative navigation options.
3. Personalization: Build an EdTech “Pencil Case”
Personalized learning increases relevance and motivation. Rather than relying on a single device or accessory, assemble a curated set of options—a digital “pencil case”—that gives students multiple ways to demonstrate learning. Include items such as headsets, styluses, adjustable mice, and other peripherals so students can choose the tools that best match their learning style and the task at hand.
- Invite student feedback when evaluating or piloting new tools; students can offer practical insights about usability and comfort.
- Use student input to assemble a variety of pre-approved accessories and apps that teachers can offer as options for assignments or projects.
- Encourage choice: allow students to select the tool that helps them express their understanding most effectively.
4. Student Development: Account for Physical and Emotional Growth
Children and adolescents are growing physically and developing motor skills at different rates. Technology optimized for adult hands or behaviors can create discomfort, reduce focus, and hinder participation. Nearly half of teachers report students are not physically comfortable with the technology they use in class, which underscores how critical age-appropriate design is to engagement.
Consider ergonomics, fit, and interaction patterns: how students hold a stylus, where they tap a screen, or how they manage a mouse can change as they grow. Select devices and accessories that are sized for different age groups, that accommodate a range of grips and postures, and that support collaboration and clear communication.
Putting LEAPS Into Practice
Districts and schools should use meaningful measures—student feedback, pilot data, durability testing, and accessibility checks—when evaluating EdTech. A formal pilot that captures classroom impact and student experience will reveal whether a tool meets LEAPS criteria before wide deployment. Procurement decisions that integrate teacher and student voice, with attention to ergonomics and inclusivity, will produce higher adoption, better learning outcomes, and fewer support headaches.
Now is an ideal time to reassess EdTech selections. With clear priorities and a focus on learning-first design, school leaders can find the tools that genuinely support instruction and student well-being.
About the author
Madeleine Mortimore is the global education innovation and research lead for Logitech, where she directs research into edtech hardware that holistically supports learning and teaching. She holds a Master of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and launched an EdTech startup at the Harvard Innovation Lab.
This article was originally published by The Learning Counsel, a research institute and news media organization focused on the shift in education toward digital curriculum.