As educators and leaders adapted to distance learning needs due to COVID-19, the once seldom acknowledged recognition that few educational technology (EdTech) products had been subject to any, let alone rigorous, independent impact studies became widely apparent. Without sufficient impact data to make choices, school officials were forced to forge their own paths regarding what materials might be best for their students.

This series of seven briefs presents a broad overview of the research base, functionality, and modes of implementation for a few select math and science EdTech products. Each of these EdTech use cases can serve to help educators reflect on, discuss, and engage with real-world math and science experiences in ways that help them better understand opportunities for implementation.

Information regarding functionality and implementation was collected primarily through conversations with practitioners familiar with the product — teachers, coaches, and instructional leaders in math and science — complemented by a review of the product or the product website.

We report on these conversations and our understanding of the products’ strengths and weaknesses in a series of use case briefs:

Science Products: Amplify Science, BrainPOP Science, and PhET Interactive Simulations: Science

Math Products: Desmos, i-Ready Math, Khan Academy Math, and LearnZillion