By Michael Oakes, Product Manager at RM plc
Just as technology has evolved and modernised throughout the years, so too has our approach to teaching. After all, traditional ways of teaching are becoming harder to sustain in a digital-first world and the onus is on the sector to keep pace with those changes – and not risk lagging behind.
The pandemic was a key driver in the push for digital transformation certainly, but it’s important to remember that lockdown simply fast-tracked the digitally inevitable. Rather than push back against that positive change, now is the time to embrace the new, as well as the successes of the tried-and-tested models of teaching, to strike a balance for a better educational future.
Crucially, all aspects of our lives are now influenced by technology and to make our education sector a success, it must effectively prepare students for the future economy.
Empowering educators
Digital transformation isn’t a definitive result but more so a cultural shift for educators.
For schools, colleges, and universities, the first step towards success is by auditing their current infrastructure and beginning to make improvements where problem areas are highlighted. Even minor tweaks can contribute to increased productivity among teachers.
This new digital infrastructure will empower leaders and teachers to think more creatively about how they interact with their students. It allows them to tap into the less prescriptive side of their role and opens the door to how the education sector can be changed for the better along with many other businesses who are also shifting their plans to enter and remain in the digital world past the pandemic. The Department for Education is, after all, also on board in supporting schools on their journey of digital transformation.
It all begins with a strategy and doesn’t have to happen immediately. Staying aligned to your schools’ overarching mission means you remain on track but evolve your priorities and the needs and wants of your users. It is also essential that you represent all perspectives, including pupils, staff, the SLT, and parents, and manage expectations of using the technology itself.
According to research carried out by RM in 2019, 39% of teachers described themselves as ‘not confident’ using the technology provided by their school. However, a DfE research report published in 2022 describes several ‘unexpected positives’ that emerged from the pandemic. And one of those were the rapid skill development of staff and pupils in using digital platforms, software and of resources. The more that you build confidence and expose staff to these new strategies, the better it will work.
Recruiting a technology partner here to incorporate their expertise means you can build an affordable, tailored and comprehensive solution that will evolve with your goals.
Making use of the cloud for collaboration
The initial shift to the cloud, the introduction of interactive whiteboards and projectors were always going to be the foundation on the path to digital maturity – but with the pandemic and the introduction of remote learning and digital assessments we have realised that the potential is endless, and resources are almost infinite. It has been an unpredictable yet exciting time for the education sector in recent years.
Cloud computing brings benefits to schools and trusts over running traditional server-based networks. Applications that are being developed in the learning space are cloud-ready and allow students to learn wherever they are, giving them the same experience, they would have in school, at home. Cloud-based apps also improve collaboration between teachers and students as well as schools and parents, this is all down to the ability to access work and resources wherever you are – something that has been critical to many businesses during the remote working period.
The barriers to digital maturity
We should also consider the challenges that come alongside a digitally ready infrastructure. The areas in which leaders have queries are usually; lack of access for some students who may not have access to the same tech at home, financial barriers that prevent being able to afford a wholesale change of technology and safeguarding concerns that relate to online safety whilst using IT based applications each day. As with anything new, there are issues in the beginning, but this should not stop the innovative shift to digital transformation.
This gives students time to strengthen their digital literacy skills that they can utilise in school and beyond into the working world.
However, this is the future, and we should be acknowledging that it is inevitable. We should explore the numerous pathways for students to learn to the best of their ability. It goes without saying that the positives are a major catalyst for the adoption of new technologies with 84% of teachers indicating that technology had or would contribute to improved pupil attainment and 65% indicating that technology already had, or would in the future, contribute to reduced workload.
We are lucky as a sector to have these brand-new resources at our fingertips, and we must explore putting them to good use, the future outcomes will highlight the brilliant work that has taken place in education.
