How technology can enhance the learning process
Like many organisations over the last year, we’ve had to embrace ways to teach remotely and digitally, and while we are back teaching face-to-face in a classroom, there are some […]
Like many organisations over the last year, we’ve had to embrace ways to teach remotely and digitally, and while we are back teaching face-to-face in a classroom, there are some elements of technology that might be here to stay. So today we’re running through how technology can enhance the learning process, and what we’ve learned over the last year.
Driving improvement
Consistently improving is a huge priority for us, to ensure we provide the best possible training we can for all of our students. We’ve adopted various approaches to maintain our high level of teaching, and our results over the last year go to show how successful we’ve been.
Our regular model is based on small in-person classes, and adopting technology enables us to keep that small-group discursive atmosphere, while our students can access online resources to get assistance on demand – beyond the physical reach of their teacher.
Perhaps both a downside and upside of using technology is that education now doesn’t stop when the physical class finishes. Students can access teachers, resources, and assignments via the web whenever and wherever they have an internet connection.
Efficient communication
Opening up new work and study channels online facilitates new ways of communication, allowing learners to communicate in a way that best suits them, and challenging others to build up their skills in online channels. Documents can be shared, with comments, discussions and all manner of break-out groups formed for specific topics to streamline communication.
Our approach has adapted the traditional classroom into a network where teachers can post assignments progressively, and students can ask questions more easily–of teachers and of their peers–and reference a structured record of past discussions and classes. Those that might not feel confident in putting their hand up in class can still ask the questions they need to without fear of embarrassment, and sources can be shared easily.
Faster referencing
The days of flipping through heaps of books to locate a specific reference or theory are all but behind us, as resources, links and guides with specific page, section and line markers can be shared easily online.
Since it is now much simpler to access a wider array of sources quickly, students can consolidate their learning and discover new material to complete their assignments or support their studies more efficiently.
From a practical perspective, ebooks also save students money and the burden of hauling around piles of books to different classes. Digital books can be stored on a tablet or e-reader they can bring everywhere, making digital course material and books much more convenient.
Effective assessments and data measurement
Technology not only allows teachers to prepare practice exercises in a productive manner, it also allows them to better measure the advancement of their students, and quickly make relevant changes or follow-up actions as they see the relevant data.
We’ve embedded smart data across the school not only for teachers, but for all support staff so communication is efficient, and students never have to wait long for answers from any of our staff.
Self-paced learning
Our small classes mean that tutors can tailor the speed of their teaching towards each group. However, self-guided learning and revision is another enormous advantage that students appreciate with the help of technology. Sometimes the theories and processes we discuss are very complicated, and students who might need more time can review these areas when they want to easily.
With technology being a core pillar of their learning, students can keep pace with their peers by using guided exercises and reading to take on new concepts at their own pace, and to practice again later, at home.
Platform familiarisation
Working on new online platforms is something we all have to get used to in the professional world. Especially when we change job or organisation. Many workplaces use Teams and many don’t – either way, it’s a useful platform to learn and become familiar with.
Becoming a digital native and adapting to new ways of working is what is expected in the 21st Century, so we believe in supporting that as much as we can, in combination with face-to-face contact where possible.
