You might have heard tales of artificial intelligence taking over. Or robots stealing our jobs. Or technology being the end of things how we know it.

But you’d be wrong. Done well, technology is a great tool. Schools have long been reluctant to integrate technology into the classroom. Unsure of how it will be implemented, and struggling with the capacity to learn something new, there has been hesitancy amongst some teachers.

However, for those who have brought the right technology in, the transformation has been powerful.

According to a report by The Knowledge Academy:

• 49% of teachers admit tech has made them more efficient at planning and giving lessons – a third claim it makes marking easier 
• 54% of teachers said tech allows them to plan more varied and exciting lessons
• 53% said technology makes the classroom more vibrant and fun.

Rather than dampen teaching skills and student attainment, it has enhanced the experience and achievement all round. 

The key is in bringing in technology that enhances the resources and skills that already exist. Rather than attempting to impose new ways of working, the best technology amplifies the skills and techniques that are already taking place in the classroom.

Clevertouch’s Cleverstore contains apps and programmes that can be used in addition to resources developed by the teacher. Teaching resources can be shared via a cloud, so that ideas and approaches can be shared throughout the workforce. There’s no need to start from scratch, as existing resources can be updated.

It’s also crucial that technology does not take up more time and energy. Great technology fits seamlessly into the classroom, and frees teachers up to do their most important job – teach. Technology that frees them up from the front of the classroom and allows them to spend time with pupils and students. It liberates teachers from constraints of restrictive, traditional technology, with its wires and rules. Remote control means that teachers can go and spend time one to one or in small groups, giving personalised attention to those who need it.

Rather than take away from a teacher’s ability, control, or impact, great technology is a means to enhance teaching and make it better. Technology that is built for teachers and helps them to be even better. It’s about coming up with a solution for niggles, rather than revolutionising a way of working. 

As Damien Hinds, Secretary of State for Education from 2018-2019 said in Realising the potential of technology in education: A strategy for education providers and the technology industry “Technology is often associated with increased automation and reduced human interaction, although within the education sector it will never replace the role of our great teachers. However, I believe technology can be an effective tool to help reduce workload, increase efficiencies, engage students and communities, and provide tools to support excellent teaching and raise student attainment.