For Anson Primary's headteacher, Simon Pile, the key to raising student achievement lies in
high-quality teaching empowered by technology
Technology alone cannot guarantee higher standards, but its strategic and purposeful integration into educational practices can help drive significant improvement.
The key lies in understanding how technology can be leveraged to unlock student potential and raise standards, particularly in areas such as personalised learning, engagement, timely feedback, and dedicated support for students with SEND.
Effective EdTech integration hinges on a fundamental shift in focus: from simply adopting new technologies to prioritising how those technologies are used to enhance pedagogy.
There is critical importance of placing pedagogy first, exploring strategies to move beyond 'EdTech' technology for its own sake and embrace 'PedTech,' where technology empowers and transforms teaching and learning.
On-demand technology should be learner-focused
Dr Fiona Aubrey Smith (PedTech Author) is clear ....
'Schools that haven't fully embraced the potential of digital technology in teaching and learning often share a common problem: the technology is implemented to serve institutional or teacher needs, rather than prioritising the needs of the learners themselves.'
Adaptive Learning Platforms:
These platforms use algorithms to tailor instruction difficulty and pace to student performance, providing targeted support and challenge to prevent boredom or overwhelm.
Differentiated Content:
EdTech makes it easier to provide pupils with a variety of digital resources, such as videos, articles, and interactive simulations, that cater to diverse needs and learning levels.
Choice and Agency:
Technology can empower pupils to take more ownership of their learning by providing them with choices about what they learn, how they learn, and how they demonstrate their learning.
Interactive Experiences:
Simulations, virtual reality, and interactive activities to immerse pupils in learning.
Gamification:
Game-like elements (points, badges, challenges) increase motivation and enjoyment.
Multimedia Integration:
Videos, audio, and images present information in dynamic and accessible ways.
Collaborative Tools:
Digital platforms can facilitate communication, teamwork, and peer learning.
Creative Expression:
EdTech offers tools for digital storytelling, multimedia projects, and creative content creation.
Technology-Enhanced Formative Assessment:
Real-time quizzes, polls, and interactive tasks inform instruction.
Efficient Assessment Practices:
Automated scoring frees up time for meaningful feedback.
Data-Informed Teaching:
Platforms track progress to guide instructional decisions.
Digital Portfolios for Reflection:
Pupils showcase work and receive feedback to develop metacognition.
Personalised Assistive Tools
Technology offers individualised support through assistive software and hardware
Text-to-speech software reads digital text aloud, providing personalised support that enables pupils to access the curriculum independently and participate more fully
Accessible Digital Resources
Technology facilitates access to content in various formats.
Customisable digital tasks allow pupils to adjust font size, background colour, and text spacing for better accessibility, promoting inclusivity by removing access barriers.
Adaptive Learning for All
Tailor learning experiences to meet diverse needs and abilities.
Pupils with different abilities can use adaptive learning platforms for practice. These platforms personalise support and challenge by adjusting difficulty or providing hints based on individual responses, enabling engagement at each student's own pace and level.
Inclusive Communication Tools
Digital platforms offer alternative ways for pupils to express themselves and connect.
Shifting from "hands-up" to required contributions on online polls and forums enables even hesitant pupils to share ideas, ensuring all voices are heard and valued.
Engagement
How can we design engaging, technology-rich learning that motivates students and encourages active participation?
Collaboration
How can technology facilitate collaborative learning that creates dynamic and interactive classroom environments?
Assessment
How can we strategically use technology to enhance formative assessment and inform instructional decisions?
How can technology help us provide timely, specific feedback that improves student learning and self-reflection?
Inclusion
What assistive technologies and personalised learning tools can we use to create inclusive and supportive learning environments for students with SEND?
How can we ensure technology supports effective teaching and meets the diverse needs of all students, including those with SEND?
How can adaptive learning platforms and other EdTech tools help us to better personalise instruction and provide individualised learning experiences for our students?
Linked to Raising standards is the key role of Ofsted
We invite you to explore our site further. Discover resources, videos, and insights that can help explain where EdTech fits into the school inspection framework?
EdTech Live
Why not see EdTech in action at one of the EdTech Hubs programme live events?
For quick access to important sections, you can explore: Understanding the benefits of EdTech, How to Remove Barriers to Progress , EdTech Hubs TV and our innovative Live Lessons.
If you need to get in touch email edtechhubs@lgfl.net with any queries about the programme. We would love you hear from you!