Why is UI/UX in EdTech Getting Tougher and
How to Breakthrough?

When it comes to edtech, educators and students approach learning differently — and if you’re in UI/UX, your role is to help them both. However, with the pace of edtech innovation and the emergence of AI, the UI/UX function is changing.

Here’s how designers can create a more rewarding learning experience for everyone.

 

Why is the Influence of UI/UX on the Rise?

UI/UX design has shifted from being a supportive function to a foundational pillar of edtech success. Today’s users — educators, students, and administrators — expect more than just rich content. They evaluate platforms based on seamless and intuitive content delivery.

Two key trends highlight this shift. First, hybrid and online learning environments have made usability the key to learning outcomes. Second, the ease of social media or e-commerce apps has raised user expectations. This sets a high benchmark for what “good design” feels like, and anything less feels clunky or outdated.

Across groups of learners, expectations differ. For younger learners, poor design makes learning a chore. Educators view inefficient platforms as more work. Even administrators feel the pinch when managing multiple systems doesn’t simplify their workflows.

Thoughtful design requires a deep understanding of each user group. That’s where UI/UX marks its greatest impact, making it indispensable to edtech’s growth and effectiveness.

 

What Does It Mean to ‘Design in Friction’?

UI/UX design in edtech faces unique challenges due to its diverse user base — educators, administrators, and learners. Each group has distinct needs. This creates a balancing act for designers who must navigate the friction between functionality, efficiency, and engagement.

-Administrators prioritize efficiency and data security, requiring tools that simplify complex tasks without compromising sensitive information.

-Educators value usability and time-saving features, as they already juggle demanding workloads.

-Students need intuitive, engaging interfaces with clear instructions to support their learning journey.

Balancing these needs is no small feat. Features designed for one group can inadvertently complicate the experience for others. For instance, tools tailored for administrators such as detailed reporting and complex analytics might overwhelm teachers, who manage multiple classes and dozens of students. Similarly, simplifying interfaces for students could limit administrators’ ability to track data effectively.

Designers must carefully evaluate these trade-offs to create solutions that address all user requirements without overburdening any group. Importantly, these solutions must remain sustainable throughout the product lifecycle.

This challenge becomes even more pronounced when edtech faces increasing client demands, and cost constraints and tries to recalibrate client expectations. Such pressures often widen the gap between ideal design and practical delivery.

Take, for example, a university that rapidly implemented an online platform for assignment submissions during a shift to remote learning. While the platform succeeded in digitizing submissions, it failed to consider key user behaviors and accessibility. The navigation menus were unintuitive, and the submission process included unnecessary steps. This left students frustrated and resulted in a surge of technical support requests. Despite offering high-quality educational content, the platform’s poor design diminished user satisfaction, engagement, and effectiveness.

Thoughtfully crafted UI/UX solutions can bridge these gaps by addressing core user challenges while managing expectations. UI/UX professionals can help redefine what is feasible, and deliver a realistic yet effective solution by saying, “This is what we can achieve — and it works.”

 

What It Takes to Breakthrough

To create impactful edtech platforms, designers must rethink traditional approaches and prioritize user diversity and accessibility. Here are key strategies to consider: