It can be fairly challenging to keep abreast of the latest technological developments in the wider world, let alone within education.
The sector has gone from blackboards to cloud-based learning in as little as two decades, with the pandemic acting as a springboard for the growth in the use of EdTech and other associated technologies. But what is the role of technology in the modern-day classroom, and why is it so critical for headteachers to ensure that they are keeping their staff aligned with technological developments?
While fully adopting technology into learning environments can be a challenge, it has proven its value to education staff. It provides instant accessibility to information and, as smartphones, computers, tablets and more are already a regular part of day-to-day life for both students and teachers, it’s hardly surprising that their use has also infiltrated the classroom.
Prepare for a digital future
There is a common misconception that integrating technology into your school can be costly, however there are ways around making significant investments, and frankly, the benefits largely outweigh the negatives. In a recent CompTIA study, 90% of pupils said that using technology helped to prepare them for a digital future and there is a strong argument that students need to have a functional knowledge of different technological tools. By integrating these tools into the regular curriculum, schools are ensuring that their pupils are better prepared for the working world.
In addition, the use of technology clearly boosts collaboration amongst students. Virtual conferencing tools like Zoom, Teams and Skype enable virtual meetings with classmates to take place anywhere in the world, while cloud storage-based solutions like Google Drive enable them to easily share and edit projects with each other, helping to foster better collaboration and again, prepare pupils more effectively for their life post-education.
Connecting teachers with students
Your teachers can also gain from embracing technology, not least from improved relationships and better engagement levels with their students. According to a study from the Pew Research Centre, 84% of teachers already use the internet in their free time to source material that will engage students, and empowering your supply and permanent staff to integrate this and other technologies into lesson plans, as well as using it to expand their own knowledge, can benefit all parties. Technology will also continue to evolve and the students under teachers’ tutelage will likely be at the forefront of trends, meaning it can also help teachers to engage with pupils by having a better understanding of the tools they’re adopting. This doesn’t mean they have to download TikTok, but instead, you should look to provide them with development opportunities that give an awareness of different forms of technology and how they can help to strengthen educational bonds with young people.
And not only does technology better connect permanent and supply teachers with their pupils, it also engages these students more effectively with their environment. It may often be seen as a distraction, but the use of technology can encourage more active participation in the classroom and can convert the subjects sometimes seen as dull, into more interactive and fun activities.
Different learning styles
As we all know, no two children are the same and teachers can struggle to adjust their learning plans and teaching styles to fit every individual personality type. Using technology opens up different possibilities and new avenues for students with preferences for less traditional methods of learning that may help them to engage with subject materials more effectively. This also ties into one of the main reasons that technology is becoming more integrated into the education sector; it makes school more relatable for pupils. Your students – and the vast majority of your teachers – have technology embedded into their daily lives. Removing it from the school day entirely can have a detrimental impact and lead to school seeming more unfamiliar while adopting it can make learning more fun and exciting. While embracing gamification and game-based learning may seem like one step too far for many educators, it’s been proven to get better engagement levels with modern students than more traditional tools. After all, who doesn’t enjoy playing games?
However, as with the introduction of any new tool or method, training is key. Without the proper guidance and learning opportunities, your teachers won’t be able to maximise the potential of the technology they’re using. This is as key for supply staff as it is for full-time teachers and providing the requisite training should be a priority when bringing forward new learning technologies.
At The Supply Register, we also look to make the most of the technology at our disposal. Our unique, custom-built platform and mobile app have been specifically designed for busy headteachers and other education leaders, with recruitment needs in mind. The platform uses web-based technology to give you the real-time tools needed to efficiently connect with and manage supply staff. Using our ‘bank first’ approach our platform enables you to submit a job posting, match it to your candidate database and communicate the assignment to them, meaning you fill your vacancies quickly and efficiently.
It works across both desktop and mobile devices, so you can stay on top of your staffing needs whether in school or on the move and means reaching staff and supply agencies is quicker, simpler and more convenient than ever before.
To find out how we can help you solve your staffing issues get in contact
