Dive Brief:

• Some districts have started to build their own software when what's available doesn't meet their needs or is prohibitively expensive, according to District Administration.
• The first step in considering bespoke software as an option is basic research and development to see what already might be available.
• Sometimes, the time it takes a district to create and then support and troubleshoot a tech product isn’t worth the upfront savings, and experts suggest starting with a small test project.

Dive Insight:

Although unique software and system tools can certainly be a good idea for some districts, it’s important to understand the variables that can delay a project. Not only does it take time to evaluate existing options, but some systems can be tweaked to fit accordingly. IT departments have used Google Apps for Education, Adobe Cold Fusion,  Linux, and Como App Maker to create parent portals and apps without paying hefty licensing fees. One district, according to District Administration, even uses a DIY app to track and store HR materials.

Additional resources include AppsBuilder, Code Academy, Consortium for School Networking, GitHub, Open Source Software, and Teched up Teacher. Schools have also reduced IT time spent on laptop retrofitting by having students learn to assemble controllers and motherboards, and input basic code themselves. 

“When I talk to administrators about DIY, I make the point that there are so many initiatives and regulations in education that are out of our control,” Penn Manor School District tech director Charlie Reisinger told District Administration. “DIY is an opportunity to take control.”