Covid highlights importance of technology for learning

According to new research from education technology company RM, 79% of teachers and 70% of parents recognising that their school’s historic use of technology (pre-Covid) was insufficient for what is now required to deliver good educational outcomes for children.

Despite this, 61% of Primary and 39% of Secondary School teachers said that their school did not implement any new technology in the first six months in response to the disruption caused by Covid. This is despite an acknowledgement that technology has an important role to play, with both parents (78%) and teachers (61%) believing that technology in schools (edTech) is improving learning outcomes for their children.

Teachers cite a lack of training and time wasted setting up technology as their biggest challenges when using technology – for parents it is poor WiFi connectivity and a lack of suitable devices in the home.  Over half of teachers also feel that they lack the right technology to be able to support their pupils.

Technology has certainly risen up the agenda for both teachers and pupils; 61% of parents admit that their perceptions of their child’s school’s technology have changed since the first lockdown was announced, albeit half of those (29% of those surveyed) feel it has changed for the worse, with 58% of all parents now having a negative perception of their school’s technology capabilities.

Positively, over half (54%) of teachers feel that parents have been supportive during the lockdown – with many commenting how it has helped parents better understand the challenges that teachers face. The research suggests that Secondary School parents are likely to have been more supportive than Primary ones, with KS5 teachers – in particular – highlighting the significant levels of parental support they have received.

One thing that both agree upon is the need to know more – 51% of teachers and 60% of parents feel they need a greater understanding of technology to ensure their children receive better learning outcomes as a result.

Overall, four-in-five (80%) teachers believe that the loss of effective teaching time over the last 11 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic will have a long-term impact on pupils’ education.