Waterloo’s current EdTech environment
The University’s educational technologies (EdTech) ecosystem has become significantly complex and is no longer sustainable nor aligned with the Digital Learning Strategy. Contributing factors include rising costs; a fragmented decision-making and funding model; cybersecurity, privacy, and accessibility compliance risks; duplication of technology; increased support demands; and inequitable access to technology, all of which have degraded the student experience.
The EdTech Evolution 2.0: Enhancing the Framework project, launched in 2025, develops a collaborative strategy to effectively manage EdTech costs and decisions in a way that provides a consistent, secure, and reliable student experience in alignment with University policies, guidelines, and the Digital Learning Strategy. The Strategy addresses current duplication of EdTech, unnecessary ad hoc student EdTech costs, and prioritizes the use of centrally supported EdTech first.
In support of the Strategy, the University is currently prioritizing the identification of EdTech being used that has not undergone a privacy or cybersecurity assessment, underutilized EdTech, and/or tools that have been determined to be duplicate in nature. Tools undergoing assessment this year include Akindi (assessments), Vevox and iClicker (polling), Piazza (Q&A/discussion), and Zoom (meetings and conferencing). Information on the assessments will be made available as work progresses, including opportunities for members of the University community to provide feedback.
PebblePad will be discontinued in August 2027. Planning for the transition to alternate tools is underway. Impacted instructors and students will be contacted, and support will be provided to them.
A Collaborative Approach – Action required
With the support of Deans Council, instructors must prioritize the use of centrally supported EdTech tools in teaching and learning. Effective for Winter term (January 2027):
- If you are creating or redeveloping course content, activities, or assessments, centrally supported EdTech tools must be prioritized, unless there is a unique pedagogical need these tools don’t support. An instructor’s personal preference for a specific EdTech tool or tool interface does not constitute a pedagogical need.
- See definitions of educational technology (with examples) and centrally supported.
- See current listing of centrally supported tools.
- There may be Faculty-specific tools that have been reviewed and approved for use that instructors may continue to use.
Not all technology is categorized as EdTech. If you are considering using a tool that overlaps with functions provided through centrally supported EdTech, please submit an exception request.
Please note, instructors are encouraged to use centrally supported EdTech in Fall 2026 courses.
- Over the next few years, all EdTech tools used across campus (centrally supported and not) will be reviewed and assessed against privacy and cybersecurity requirements, and duplication; must meet defined criteria; and must follow guidelines for integrations. The University’s current financial environment may influence the final decision.
Join the conversation
You are encouraged to join the EdTech Forum to discuss the availability and use of EdTech in teaching and learning, as well as the privacy and cybersecurity assessments that are noted above.
Interested in trialling or exploring a new tool? Waterloo's EdTech Sandbox provides faculty, staff, and students with online and in-person space to experiment with advanced educational technology.
Potential two-year student-paid institutional EdTech fee
The EdTech 2.0 project is also collaborating with student leaders and University governance committees on the potential implementation of a two-year, small flat-rate student technology fee that is intended to mitigate student impact during tool comparisons and transitions over the next few years, with the goal to improve the learning experience for students, efficiently manage and support EdTech, and leverage student cost saving opportunities. Details of this recommendation will be available on the EdTech Hub as these discussions evolve.
This recommendation is being reviewed and has not yet been approved.