Session Chair: Laurie Forcier, Vice President, Strategy, EDT&Partners. Expert Panel: Kristen Weatherby, Education Researcher and Consultant, Weatherby Education Studies. Kristy Evers, Director of Partnerships, ImpactEd Evaluation. Neelam Parmar, Director of Professional Learning, AISL Academy.

Every EdTech company claims to improve learning. But how can schools tell which products genuinely make a difference?

That question sat at the heart of one of the most thought-provoking discussions during Bett and BESA's Empowering EdTech Innovators event, where the conversation focused on why the future of education technology depends not just on innovation, but on trust, transparency and robust evidence.

The session explored the work of the Department for Education's EdTech Evidence Board, which is being delivered by the Chartered College of Teaching. Rather than acting as an accreditation scheme, the Board aims to help the sector develop a shared understanding of what meaningful evidence looks like and how it can support better decision-making for schools and colleges.

With more digital tools entering the market than ever before, educators are faced with an increasing number of claims around impact, workload reduction and improved outcomes. The discussion highlighted how stronger evidence can help schools make more confident purchasing decisions while giving EdTech companies clearer ways to demonstrate the value of their products.

Evidence is a journey, not a destination

One of the strongest themes to emerge was that evidence should not be treated as something gathered once a product has been developed.

Instead, evidence should become part of an ongoing cycle of product development, evaluation and improvement. Understanding the educational problem, testing assumptions, gathering feedback and continually refining products were all highlighted as essential parts of building effective education technology.

Rather than asking whether a product works at a single point in time, the discussion encouraged developers to think about how evidence can inform every stage of a product's evolution.

Building trust through transparency

Schools are presented with a growing number of technology solutions, many accompanied by ambitious claims about their impact. The panel explored how a consistent evidence framework could help educators look beyond marketing messages and better understand how products have been evaluated.

The conversation suggested that stronger evidence is not simply about proving a product is effective. It is about giving schools the confidence to make informed decisions based on clear, transparent information.

Creating a shared language

The discussion also highlighted the importance of giving educators and developers a common framework for evaluating technology.

Instead of focusing solely on features, schools were encouraged to consider questions such as:

• What educational challenge is this product trying to solve?

• Who is it designed for?

• How has usability been considered?

• What evidence demonstrates its impact?

• How does it support accessibility, safeguarding and effective teaching?

These areas were presented as interconnected rather than separate considerations, recognising that successful EdTech depends on balancing educational need, user experience and measurable outcomes.

Supporting better decision-making

Another important point raised was how schools currently select technology.

Professional recommendations from colleagues remain hugely influential, and rightly so. However, the discussion suggested that stronger evidence frameworks can complement those recommendations by providing greater clarity about why a product works and under which circumstances it is most effective.

Evidence should not replace professional judgement. Instead, it should strengthen it.

Looking ahead

As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies continue to reshape education, the conversation concluded that innovation alone will not be enough.

The long-term success of EdTech will depend on products demonstrating genuine educational value through transparent evaluation, continuous improvement and a commitment to understanding what works in real classroom settings. If there was one message that resonated throughout the session, it was this: trust is built through evidence, not promises. 

Bett UK brings together educators, innovators, investors and policymakers to explore the ideas shaping the future of education. If you'd like to join the conversation and showcase your solutions, find out how your business can get involved in Bett UK 2027.