How Educational Technology Helps Teachers

Updated: February 2026

Providing teachers with the right tools and resources is essential in today’s educational landscape. At Proximity Learning, we believe technology plays an important role in creating engaging learning environments when it supports strong instruction rather than replacing it. 

By empowering Proximity Learning teachers with thoughtful technology, aligned curriculum, and ongoing support, we help address teacher shortages and teacher vacancies while strengthening instruction across K–12 education. We are committed to helping them deliver instruction that combines professional curriculum frameworks with innovative digital solutions.

This way, educators can create classrooms where students experience teaching models designed for strong learning outcomes. The result is a model that keeps students engaged, supports student performance, and ensures consistent access to certified teachers, no matter where a district is located.

What Makes Proximity Learning’s Technology-Driven Instruction Different

Proximity Learning is a unique instructional solution that allows teachers to provide engaging, effective, and innovative virtual instruction to their students while maintaining the structure and expectations of traditional schools. Our approach centers on pairing strong instruction with intentional use of technology, not leading with tools alone.

Synchronous Virtual Instruction, Led by Certified Teachers

At the heart of our model is synchronous virtual instruction. Through web conferencing technology, we stream certified teachers live into classrooms where students are learning together in person with a facilitator. This model preserves real-time interaction and accountability while helping districts address teacher shortages and teacher vacancies.

All instruction is delivered by certified educators who specialize in K–12 education. Many teachers achieve national virtual teacher certification from the National Virtual Teacher Association (NVTA). This ensures consistent, high-quality instruction across brick-and-mortar schools, remote settings, and hybrid models.

Instruction Aligned to District Curriculum and Standards

Our curriculum aligns with district standards and school bell schedules so students and teachers have access to meaningful, consistent learning experiences. Courses span subjects like:

• Core subjects like math and science
• World languages
• Electives
• Summer school offerings

This alignment supports accurate assessment, meaningful data use, and measurable student achievement, all while ensuring instruction fits seamlessly into existing schools and districts.

How Proximity Uses Educational Technology to Help Teachers

At Proximity Learning, we’re dedicated to empowering our teachers with the latest technological tools to create a stimulating learning environment. From interactive lessons to cutting-edge resources and live student collaboration, our teachers are well-equipped to foster an enriched learning experience.

A Platform Designed to Support Daily Instruction

Proximity Learning’s platform integrates Learning Management Systems (LMS) for attendance, grades, and assessment, alongside instructional tools that support daily teaching like Nearpod. Teachers use real-time data from tools like LinkIt! to monitor student progress, adjust instruction, and support students more effectively. This structure ensures that technology enhances instruction rather than complicating it.

Technology That Helps Teachers Save Time

Using streamlined systems and centralized resources, Proximity Learning helps teachers save time on administrative tasks. This allows educators to focus more fully on instruction, engagement, and collaboration, while still meeting district requirements.

3 Benefits of Online Technology for Students, Teachers, and Districts

When implemented intentionally, technology supports stronger outcomes for students, teachers, and districts alike in several ways.

1. Supports Student Engagement and Learning

Teaching with online technology can dramatically increase engagement, and engagement increases learning. Proximity Learning teachers use interactive tools, real-time discussion, and small groups to keep students engaged and actively participating.

Online technology can also facilitate real-time connections to current events and topics that provide immediate context, allowing students to make meaningful associations from learning to their lives. These approaches help learners interact with content, peers, and instructors in meaningful ways and support stronger student performance and comprehension.

2. Improves Communication With Families

Technology also supports clearer communication with parents and families. Tools enable accessible parent-teacher conferences, consistent updates on grades, and greater transparency around expectations. This strengthens trust across the community.

3. Expands Access to Qualified Educators

By enabling districts to stream certified teachers, Proximity Learning expands access to qualified teachers in hard-to-staff subjects and grade levels. Furthermore, implementing modern tools into the classroom environment makes educational equity possible. All students, regardless of their zip code, can access various resources and apply them to their studies in significant ways.

Best Practices for Using Online Technology in the Classroom Effectively

As teaching from home and virtual instruction becomes a widely used solution to address staffing challenges in K–12, teachers must strive to learn best practices for implementing online technology.

It’s essential to implement technology with intention and care by following the following best practices:

• Be willing to try different tools and approaches as a lifelong learner
• Keep student engagement at the center of their approach
• Use data and assessment to inform instructional decisions
• Leverage professional development and peer collaboration

If students are empowered to take ownership of their learning through these technologies, it will create an environment for greater collaboration and self-directed learning opportunities. And ultimately, teachers with the right outlook and willingness to use the latest tech tools will be able to maximize student engagement and make their classes more exciting and effective than ever before.

Empowering Teachers Through Technology with Proximity Learning

By integrating technology thoughtfully into classroom teaching, we help schools engage students, support learning, and prepare learners for the future. Implementing best practices for using online technologies in teaching and being open to new possibilities through Proximity Learning is what allows us to push the boundaries of educational equity, teaching, and learning.

With more than 15 years of experience delivering synchronous instruction, we've partnered with 400+ school districts to staff over 3,000 classrooms with certified teachers across the country. By combining live, interactive instruction with aligned curriculum, ongoing support, and a human-centered approach, Proximity Learning helps schools expand access, maintain instructional continuity, and move closer to true educational equity.

Ready to strengthen instruction and address staffing challenges in your district? Talk to us to learn how Proximity Learning supports educators, schools, and students at every step.