After generations of gradual improvements, education innovation is starting to pick up speed
A golden age for EdTech
In the past 20 years education technology (or EdTech) has changed at an unprecedented pace. 1900 saw the groundbreaking invention of the pencil but in the present day young students can locate lessons on any subject imaginable at the push of a button.
In spite of this, some areas still lag behind. Examinations take place in much the same way as they did nearly a century ago. Teaching practice has begun to evolve but many classrooms remain almost identical to those our grandparents would have sat in.
This is not a failing on the part of schools or teachers. The resources available in most classrooms are extremely limited and the gradual improvements made are constrained by the need to include and engage every child.
Change on the horizon
Fast-forward to present day and generations of repetition might soon be coming to an end. More schools are embracing innovative technologies and education platforms to help students prepare with a variety of methods.
Purdue University’s EdTech department has recently proposed that biometric indicators could be used to monitor student wellbeing and that we will soon see Augmented Reality and multi-touch surfaces in every modern classroom. Studies have begun on virtual teachers and how they can engage students most effectively.
Augmented Reality might become an everyday classroom feature
Virtual tutors mean more time focused on each child and EdTech apps like Kahoot! help to engage the whole class. Less than 4 years after its launch Kahoot!, which enables teachers and students to create custom interactive quizzes, has attracted over 1 billion players. It is quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon in the classroom and beyond. Simple design, catchy music and customisability means that Kahoot! can engage with students without forcing them into a mould.
But with all these resources available, we can’t lose sight of what’s important: the student.
Tackling the cause not the symptoms
At Chooter we know that education is not ‘one size fits all’. To have the greatest impact, we need to engage with a student on their terms. People learn in different ways and methods are much more or less effective depending on the student.
Now that technology is catching up with our individual needs we should stop trying to force a square peg into a round hole. The value of new technology in the classroom is only unlocked when it adapts to each unique student.
Chooter is designing a system that engages students by examining their needs. We don’t want to just throw quirky solutions out until something sticks. Our team is identifying the key measures of student success and building lessons and resources around what engages and improves the performance of different students.
Look out for news and details of our platforms as we roll out in the next few weeks and don’t forget to sign up for updates through our homepage.
Until next time!
