A new survey of over 8,000 global teachers conducted by digital education company TES Global reveals that educators are demanding a bigger role in deciding which technologies are used in the classroom.
The survey found that over half of teachers (59%) believe they should be the primary decision maker for what technology is used in their classroom, but only 36% are currently consulted during the process. Respondents said that teacher buy-in is not currently a major factor in purchasing decisions.
Rob Grimshaw, CEO of TES Global, said: “Teachers are closest to the needs and behaviours of students, so it’s not surprising they want to have a seat at the table. Education tech companies, school leadership, and officials must find more ways to let teachers voice their opinions, so that only the best and most effective technology makes it to the classroom.”
Colin Hegarty, advanced Maths skills teacher and founder of HegartyMaths, said: “For technology to really have the impact we all want, it needs to be designed with an obsessive focus on the theory of great teaching and learning. Who is better placed with this inside knowledge than a teacher? As such, teachers have a great deal of value to add to the creation of great edtech.”
Other findings of the survey include the following:
Demanding more classroom clout
Teachers know best
Despite the feeling that research and the vetting of tools and technology are being undertaken at a higher level, teachers continue to create materials and classroom environments they feel are best for their students.
Finding middle ground
Given that the process of researching and implementing new technology can be complex and time-consuming, however, many teachers indicated that they would welcome guidance and training that would equip them to select the most suitable edtech solutions for their particular classroom requirements.
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