New report on impact of education technology
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has published a new guidance report on the use of digital technology in schools.
The report analyses the effectiveness of education technology which schools currently spend an estimated £900m on each year.
The guidance report, Using Digital Technology to Improve Learning, backs up previous studies that found that technology itself is unlikely to improve young people’s learning, but the pedagogy behind it can.
The EEF reviewed the best available evidence, including from a number of EEF trials, then convened a panel of teachers, academics, and other experts to draw out four clear and actionable recommendations which schools can put into effect.
Sir Kevan Collins, EEF Chief Executive, said: “Put simply, this means buying a tablet computer for every pupil is unlikely to boost pupil attainment. Unless you have a clear idea of the difference you want technology to make, it probably won’t make any difference at all. However, if those tablets are used purposefully – for example, increasing the quality or quantity of practice pupils undertake through a quiz app, or the precision with which feedback on misunderstandings is provided – they stand a much better chance of doing so.
“Such improvements are not automatic. Using digital technology requires thoughtful implementation; upfront training and follow-on supporting activities for the teachers who will have to apply it in the busy reality of their classrooms; and proper evaluation to establish whether the new initiative has improved learning by making it more efficient, effective or secure.”
You can read/download the guidance report here.