GCSEPod
Although there are some similarities between this entry and the other GCSEPod entry, there are differences too, which is why both have been published.
The Coming Ed Tech
There is likely to be a lot of A.I. focus; the new kid on the block (although it has been around for some time). Unfortunately, although a nice to have – the proof will be in the pudding as to whether there is any hard evidence of impact on results/ attainment.
Edtech is streamlining the workload for teachers, providing them with automated and instant data and analytics; which are becoming ever more necessary to prove and drive outcomes in learning. Due to educators often having to wear more than one hat and teach outside their specialism, it is becoming ever more important to build confidence within the faculty and give them the tools they need to carry out these duties with confidence and be assured the content is there so no time is wasted.
Challenges
There is nothing more frightening at the moment than the very real horror story of funding in Education. This is exactly where EdTech rides in on its white horse….
There are bold claims that there’s more money in the system than ever before but equally, there are now more pupils than ever before; 8.5 million and growing by 100K per year. The NFF is a significant improvement on the previous system, but the overall level of funding to schools is too low. After the NFF was announced, the reality became clear, that per pupil funding across the board will fall 4.6% by 2020. Is there a perfect storm brewing, or are we already in the eye of it?
So, some might say that now is not the time to be spending on Ed Tech, but for those SLT’s in the know, quite the opposite is true, as they realise that for maximum impact, with modest outlay, embedding the right technologies with supporting content within the teaching framework might very well save the day, bringing positivity, reducing workload and workplace stress.
Supporting staff with these technologies has been shown to reduce their load, assisting with mental health and wellbeing - the knock-on effect shown through reduced absence as well as addressing the industry’s larger retention and recruitment bête noir. Should these issues be addressed, resulting in staff being more motivated, then the financial burden of the ever-present cost of recruitment could be minimised, releasing funds for other products that work hard for all, for pupils, teachers and the whole school.
Tech has changed the way teachers teach – a quote from Dr. Kevin Hylands, principal, The George Eliot School explains this very well:
“Staff worked in teams to include GCSEPod in lesson plans, utilise it for flipped learning and as a homework task. GCSEPod has become a large part of our day to day teaching practices and it has never felt like a bolt on. By working together, we have simultaneously decreased workload whilst increasing the quality and richness of lessons within the school.”
Edtech is not there to take over but to be an aid. Here at GCSEPod we do not seek to replace the teacher but aim to capture the enthusiasm, knowledge and experience of teachers and continue to provide that to students after they’ve left the school gates.
Having been in the sector for over 10 years (from before when ‘Ed Tech’ was a thing), my view is that we are in the eye of the storm, where there is only one way to go – out. The government has finally realised that it is no-longer sustainable to continue to under-fund the NHS – surely it is only a matter of time before it realises the same about Education, allowing teachers to make the right decisions to invest in resources that work.
Conference Stands (If Known)
Bett stand B114
Website
Anthony Coxon @gcsepod