Enhancing the Learning Experience with EdTech

Rob Wraith, Head of Learning Technology and Digital Learning, NCG

Rob Wraith, Head of Learning Technology and Digital Learning, NCG

There are so many acronyms appearing in conversations around teaching and EdTech. AR, VR, XR, MR, AI, but are these advancements in technology useful in our delivery of modern education?

EdTech and its adoption within teaching is what I look at and speak to educators, developers, and senior leaders about every day. There are some who are concerned about the amount of time and training involved in the creation of these new resources, as well as whether the resources they have access to are any good.

I understand that, as a teacher, you want to make sure you have access to the right resources at the right time and I understand only too well the pressures that are involved and the time that is needed to deliver and support teaching and learning. However, there are some excellent examples of educators who have embraced the inclusion of these new technologies and have claimed that they have revolutionised their classroom and delivery, whilst also increasing engagement and saving time.

Where digital learning once had a reputation for being lengthy and uninteresting, significant advancements in technology have made it more appealing, but it has become difficult to keep up with it, whilst also trying to identify which technologies could be useful within delivery, and which would just be a hinderance.

Overall, I do believe these advancements are useful and that’s not just because of the job I do, but they are only useful in moderation and only when they are placed appropriately to enhance the learning experience.The adoption of technology does not have to be expensive or complicated, it could be as simple as embedding an interactive quiz at the beginning or the end of a class to provide feedback to students on how they are progressing, or using a visual resource such as a video to support students either before, during or after the lesson. These quick win scan definitely enhance the learning experience.

“The adoption of technology does not have to be expensive or complicated, it could be as simple as embedding an interactive quiz at the beginning or the end of a class to provide feedback to students on how they are progressing”

There are more advanced options, and it would be wrong of me not to mention these. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) can take students on an experience that they would otherwise not have been able to access. This could be a visit to another country during Geography or a visit to a windfarm to appreciate the size and height of a wind turbine up close. These experiences could then be repeated every month or week if needed to recap and review.

There are positive out comes that can be linked to the inclusion of EdTech in our teaching practice, some of which I have mentioned above. Therefore, as educators if we review the technology that is available to us, some of which is free, then making this available for our students can also encourage ownership of learning, where this ownership could provide the opportunity for our students to gain a sense of autonomy and achievement that encourages them to do better.