Dave Smith
Head of Content, BESA
The need for schools to have an effective digital strategy to build on the positive gains of education technology over the past couple of years has never been more relevant.
The Department for Education’s EdTech Demonstrator Schools’ Programme has recently ended. However, the need to provide effective education technology and support digital wellbeing in schools continues apace.
Edtech has increasingly become an integral part of the everyday lives of schools – with broadband connectivity essentially the fourth utility. It is crucial to have the right capacity in terms of connectivity prior to purchasing any devices for staff and pupil use. The Department for Education recently published advice for schools on ‘How schools and colleges can meet IT service and digital equipment standards’ that explore the important aspects of broadband, networking and wireless technologies.
Meeting school needs with tech
There are numerous solutions available to address learner and institutional needs. School leaders are acutely aware of the need to make the most of the resources they already have and spend their allocated budgets wisely. However, prior to deploying any time or money, it is important to determine the issue that the technology is going to solve.
The recently published ‘EdTech Buyers’ Guide’ considers how edtech can assist with student attainment, knowledge, collaboration, behaviour and wellbeing, teacher wellbeing and workload reduction, plus overall organisational outcomes with a focus on saving money, managing data, processes and parental engagement.
Pupils are immersed in the use of technology in their lives both inside and outside of school. Ensuring digital wellbeing is an ongoing challenge.
Utilising edtech efficiently
Edtech plays a crucial role in the operational aspects of schools. Moving staff, parent/carer and governor meetings online is time-efficient and sustainable, by reducing the need to travel, and it can lead to increased engagement allowing more time for in-person meetings to address specific pupil needs. This can have the added benefit of supporting wellbeing of school staff by freeing up time for other activities.
Wellbeing is a top priority
Pupils are immersed in the use of technology in their lives both inside and outside of school. Ensuring digital wellbeing is an ongoing challenge. This involves getting the balance right between living lives in the real and virtual world and keeping safe online. SouthWest Grid for Learning’s Project Evolve provides free resources for each of the 330 statements from UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) framework ‘Education for a Connected World.’
Developing a successful strategy
Overall, to ensure effective connectivity, address learner and institutional needs, enhance parent/carer and governor engagement, reduce teacher workload and support digital wellbeing. Making education technology work in schools is dependent on getting the strategy right.
Find out more at www.besa.org.uk
The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), is the not-for-profit trade association for the UK education suppliers sector.