The Role of Telecommunications in modern learning institutions

Objectives of Education Technology

According to the Department for Education, Education Technology (EdTech) refers to any technology that can be used to“support teaching and the effective day-to-day management of education institutions”. This includes “hardware, such as tablets and laptop computers”, but can also include “digital resources, software and services”.

Some of the key objectives identified as priorities for the implementation of technology across the education sector include:

• Administration: Reduce the burden of non-teaching tasks. Improve parental engagement and communication, cut related teacher workload, and encourage the use of technology to facilitate part-time and flexible working patterns.
• Assessment: Make assessment more effective and efficient, cut teacher time spent preparing, marking, and analysing in-class or remote testing.
• Teaching Practice: Support access, and inclusion and improve educational outcomes. Level the playing field for learners by utilising accessible technology.
• Professional Development: Supporting teachers by supporting more flexible continued professional development.

Education technology (EdTech) has evolved from a perk to a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic for schools continuing to use remote and hybrid learning practices. The most effective EdTech doesn’t divert attention from the classroom or take away from the lesson plan. Instead, providing them with tools that facilitate seamless learning environments for all students and teachers, regardless of where they are.

70% of students in schools with sufficient technology devices performed better than those without access to technology and high-speed internet. - McKinsey

Why communications are a central part of EdTech strategy

The pandemic fundamentally changed the face of education. Communications technology initially served as a lifeline for teachers and students as school buildings closed and classes were conducted virtually. Teachers used digital platforms to prepare digital lesson plans and assessments and communicate with students and families virtually to keep students engaged and learning.

While pupils have returned to classrooms, the connection between education and technology isn’t going away. There remains a growing demand for platforms that support more equitable parent-teacher communication.

Schools are implementing communication systems with expanded capabilities that enable them to have in-depth, meaningful discussions with parents. These are platforms with a range of communication options and collaboration tools that allow teachers and parents to interact more effectively.  

Clear audio and video calls allow education to happen remotely when required. For example, video meetings with teachers can save time on both sides. Instant messaging between teaching staff enables a more collaborative teaching environment, and call conferencing tools allow school management to conduct meetings effectively wherever they are.

This has seen more educational institutions turn to cloud-based communications, which can make schools and colleges more effective, but most importantly, they enable every educator and administrator to carry a fully featured communications platform wherever they go.

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94% of teachers saw the benefits of using cloud communication in remote teaching and learning during the pandemic.  UK Department for Education -2021

ITDS Managed Ltd – A trusted partner in the education sector

Our team has a wealth of experience delivering reliable and resilient IT and communications solutions technology to the education sector.

Travers Beaton – Our Managing Director is passionate about solutions delivery, always striving to ensure that the end solution is better than the vision.  Travers has won and delivered projects from national government contracts to ambitious start-ups, and everything in-between.

Jamie Coombs - Our Technical Sales Director has provided sales, pre-sales & support across the IT &Unified Communications sector for many years. Jamie has a strong ethos focused on delivering exceptional customer service and strives to always plan and deliver the correct solution to meet each client’s needs.

Want to find out more about our team?

If you’d like to hear more about how we can support schools like yours with cutting-edge technology, we’d love the chance to talk to you about it. Please get in touch on 0207 101 0096 or email - contact@itdsmanaged.com

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