Educational Technology in Schools – What the Teachers say

Digital and Tech Advancement - Hi-impact - Latest News

A Teachers’ View on Educational Technology

Its effectiveness undeniable and its advancement inescapable, technology continues to drive our everyday lives. It makes sense then, as we move ever deeper into the digital age, that we continue to incorporate its usage into our education system. This is an act which has, so far, yielded mostly positive results, allowing children to fully explore new avenues of learning which were previously inaccessible.

But what do the teachers think?

Recent research has shown that, when asked, a majority 96% of teachers declared that they believed educational technology had a positive impact on the classroom and the way children learn. Due to the sheer scope of technological advancements made over the last decade alone, this is not at all surprising.

The introduction of even the most basic tech, such as tablets and laptops have allowed children to engage in lessons without fear of judgement or being left behind; granting them the opportunity to learn at their own pace and receive feedback from their teachers individually and confidentially. With the addition of educational apps, such as Tune Train, Chatterpix, Nearpod, and Koma Koma covering a variety of subjects, these benefits are spread even further across the curriculum.

To support this notion further, 56% of the teachers surveyed stated that pupils seemed more engaged in classroom activities when using educational technology. Suggesting that, in addition to the standard of education being improved, there is also an increase in attention span.

Furthermore, 49% of respondents also believed that tech had allowed them to become increasingly efficient in both the planning and delivery of lessons, with an additional 33% claiming that it made the marking of assignments easier.

Moreover, a separate study with similar parameters also found that up to 70% of educators believed that technical learning enriched the classroom experience; allowing them to create more opportunities for research projects, tailor teaching methods to specific individual needs, and create more instances where students could learn independently.

So, is there a downside?

Although educational technology appears to have received overwhelmingly positive reviews, some concerns remain as to its security. Up to ⅓ of the teachers in the survey shared this reservation; all believing that with the increase of tech use, their ability to monitor what content each child is able to access is impaired.

However, it is worth noting that these risks can be largely nullified by easily accessible security software packages, which can be installed by any technician.

Another potential disadvantage for educational technology in the classroom is how effectively it’s implemented. Research carried out by Edgenuity in 2016 first encountered this when they discovered that quite a large portion of teachers believed their school’s approach to embracing tech was outdated or ineffective. Many also cited a lack of sufficient spare time as a reason for educational technology’s poor implementation; stating that most of their working day was spent marketing assignments and carrying out other administrative tasks.

As educational technology continues to evolve and grow to be ever more prominent in the modern world, its adoption into the education sector becomes paramount; ensuring future generations are well-equipped to thrive in a society which is growing to be increasingly reliant on technological development.

hi-impact’s ongoing objective is to assist schools in this transition; providing both technical and teaching support which will benefit both educators, and pupils. Normalising innovation and development.

If you’re interested in learning about our tech support team, or our workshops which use technology as a key method of learning, contact us at [email protected] to find our more.