This week Bett takes place – the world’s biggest EdTech event (their words, not ours!) Our very own Laura McInerney will be in the vicinity, and is usually easy to spot! (Hint – look out for a splash of bright yellow)!
With everyone talking about EdTech, we thought we’d have a rummage in the Teacher Tapp archives to see what you think of all things technical.
EdTech evidence
First off, it may sound obvious, but if you’re going to use EdTech in the classroom you are going to want clear proof that it works. 79% of you agreed that you’d want proof when we first checked on this in 2019, and 87% agree now.
Secondary school teachers are slightly more likely to agree than primary, and headteachers more likely than class teachers; but there’s honestly very little in it.
Speaking of honesty… How likely are you to trust the claims of the EdTech company selling the product? It turns out that you are slightly more trusting now than you were in 2019. Exactly half of you say you’d be unlikely to trust the claims of the company selling the product; down 4 percentage points from when we first asked back in 2019.
Those who had been in teaching longest were the least likely to trust the claims.
Ed (un) Tech
If all that talk of EdTech is a bit much for you, you’ll be pleased to know that not everything has to be plugged in! This week we found that two-thirds of you regularly use mini whiteboards in your class.
Whilst most popular with primary teachers, the simple apparatus that has barely changed since pupils just had a piece of slate to write on, is also used by plenty of secondary teachers, especially language teachers, maths, science, and even PE teachers.
And let’s not forget the good old pen! While you might need a computer trolley or IT suite for your tech devices, 30% of you keep a pot of pens on your desk! Simples.
Progs vs. trads
Is this all sounding a bit traditional?!
Whilst we have witnessed a decline in teachers who consider themselves to be ‘progressive’ over the years, the group are starting to make a bit of a comeback. 35% of teachers now consider themselves progressive, compared to 30% who consider themselves traditional (whilst everyone else sits happily in the middle!)
We might be stereotyping, but one facet of being a ‘trad’ is being a bit of a disciplinarian. So when we asked ‘how important is it to establish classroom control before becoming too friendly?’ we were keen to check this back against the trad/prog results.
While the trads were slightly more likely to agree to the ‘no smiling before Christmas’ rule, overall there seems to be more similarity than difference 🤗
Ups and Downs
On the rise
📈 Reading to the class: 48% of primary teachers read aloud to their class every day, compared to 40% in 2022.
📈 Headteacher pals: 80% of heads agree they have at least one colleague who cares about and looks out for them, up from 73% in 2023.
Heading down
📉 Exam stress: Only 8% of secondary teachers strongly agree that current exam classes (Year 11/13) appear to be more anxious and stressed than previous exam classes for this time of year; down from 10% at this time last year.
📉 A-level Music: Only 23% of heads say their school offers A level music (down from 35% in 2022).
Daily Reads
The most read article from the last week has been: Praising your team (10 ways to do it better)
And here are the rest for your reference:
