EDUCATION
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invest in simple solutions such as cost- effective and efficient inkjet printers that can cut energy costs by up to 90% 4 while also allowing the creation of teaching materials or the ability to print student work
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collaborate and generate student engagement. But improving solutions comes at a cost and over half (52%) state that gaining funding for the necessary technology is a key challenge, with nearly two thirds (64%) saying that lack of funding is limiting the ability to increase engagement and learning with students. For those that do have the ability to invest, 58% say not enough training is given to teachers on how to use the technology provided effectively, while six in 10 (60%) are concerned that not enough consideration is given to how the technology will improve provision of teaching/ training ahead of purchase – possibly leading to poor investment choices. Considering those questioned say over two fifths (43%) of the average school day is spent using digital technology, it’s worrying there are such challenges. Unlocking the potential of IT in education The sector needs to consider how it can best support students and teachers in the wake of hybrid and digital learning. And at a basic level, it must provide easy and official access to tools such as printers – particularly as 46% expect an increase in print volumes over the next 12 months. Of course, saying this is much easier said than done and requires wide ranging policy changes and implementation. However, schools and education systems can begin their own journey towards better use of technology with a few simple steps. First of all, get teachers involved. IT managers must partner with them to identify what works and
what doesn’t. Allow them to point out gaps, such as projected images that all students can see, or a simple lack of printers. Focus on practical issues rather than anything to broad. Then invest in simple solutions such as cost- effective and efficient inkjet printers that can cut energy costs by up to 90% 4 while also allowing the creation of teaching materials or the ability to print student work. But teachers also need training on how the technology can be used specifically to support their teaching, blending IT expertise with successful classroom techniques that turn a printer or projector into a strategic learning resource, not just something to use now and again and then put away rather than embraced. Finally, schools need to accept that technology is constantly changing. What suits a classroom today could be wildly unsuitable in a short time. The pandemic has gone to show that. But it’s also illustrated that when the pressure is on, the system can cope and make excellent use of technology. Everyone in the sector needs to ensure technology doesn’t slip back down the list of priorities. Because boosting teaching and learning with the right hardware and software is vital to the success of young people. We can’t let another decade pass without giving those in classrooms throughout the world the tools they need to fulfil their potential.
1 Epson, REPORT: ‘Cheap seats’ in UK classrooms 2 UCL, Analysis: Teachers have been let down by a decade of inaction on digital technologies 3 World Bank, Government Expenditure on Education by GDP 4 Epson, Shaping the future of printing with heat-free technology
epson.co.uk
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