New EdTech tools break the mold in learning, teaching

Making better use of educational technology is a goal that both software and hardware companies are aggressively pursuing.

Keeping students engaged in today’s distraction-filled world is no easy task. Teachers often have to contend with competing gadgets like tablets and smartphones that distract students from group instruction.

However, when used correctly, technologies such as smartboards and AI-powered presentation devices can reshape learning and create positive learning environments for students.

The trick is to grab their attention and keep them engaged. Many companies are dedicated to building and selling solutions that accomplish those tasks.

According to Maryam Hassani, acting head of trends and innovation at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), reports show that the global EdTech market will grow at a CAGR of 12.9% through 2032. In 2022, North America led the charge with 36% revenue share.

He told TechNewsWorld, “The growth of EdTech is reshaping the learning journey, providing innovative solutions to challenges in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields like sparking curiosity and tailoring lessons for children with special needs.

Elementary and special education students aren’t the only beneficiaries of innovative teaching technology. The rapid technological revolution is transforming almost every aspect of our lives, and education at all levels is no exception. Tech ed tools with AI features increasingly help educators make complex concepts easier to grasp and more relatable at all educational levels.

EdTech is driving the latest learning trends

EdTech is constantly evolving, with some exciting trends emerging, JQ Sirls, its co-founder and CEO the storytellerwhose products personalize content to fit students’ unique experiences.

“Personalized learning through AI is making education more tailored to individual needs,” he told TechNewsWorld.

Gamification Makes learning an engaging experience. An increasing focus on inclusion and accessibility ensures that modern learning tools are available to all students, regardless of their background or ability.

“These trends are reshaping how we approach education, making it more dynamic and inclusive,” added Sirls

Smart Technologies A prime example of how computer-based methods make ED technology more effective. The company pioneers education solutions that enable educators worldwide to connect using a full range of products.

To be more effective, schools must take a more thoughtful approach to the adoption of innovative technologies. It is a two-step process that first identifies the required software tools According to Jeff Lowe, Smart’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, it’s only then looking for the ideal hardware to make it accessible in the classroom.

“The formula is quite simple. You start with teaching and learning exercises and then the next step is to look at the software. See what software aligns with desired outcomes and can help enable those teaching and learning practices,” he told TechNewsWorld.

He also said that there are three key factors involved in doing this. His company’s product developers discuss with client schools the need to select the right ed tech tools for students, identify their specific needs, and select tools that align with curriculum goals.

“The state of EdTech is not as efficient, or mature, with results because this formula is often not followed. The opposite is looked at. We are a hardware company with hardware and software, so we are also part of the equation,” cautioned Low.

Better use of EdTech takes practice, training

Sometimes, according to Lowe, schools adopt the latest and greatest piece of technology without a clear idea of ​​what teachers and students will do with it or how it will map to teaching and learning practices. This is often a random hardware-first decision. School administrators must decide how it will be implemented and what software it will run on.

The last step in the tech onboarding process is training and professional development. Training should focus on how technology supports teaching and learning practices, not just how to use technology.

“I think everyone understands the importance of training, but often the training is around the technology,” he adds. “Instead, it has to focus on the desired outcome for the student and the teacher and how the technology makes it better, which is a different kind of training.”

Lowe noted that smart technology products are mainly trained by teachers. The company has a large workforce of current and former academics, resulting in a wide range of expertise in adopting technologies that help customers.

The challenge lies in scaling those insights. Training cannot be effective if presented only as a one-and-done professional day event. Lowe warned that this was a barrier to success.

“Most of the time, it’s more of a didactic approach, where you get real advocates within a school or an academic department who are trained very deeply, perhaps by us, then take that as a target for them to train a number of other teachers within a school,” he said.

According to Lowe, scaling training is the key to success. School officials must roll it out to include school principal level and technology directors.

“So, all this needs to be coordinated. But if you don’t think through that process, you won’t get the full benefit. Otherwise, it just becomes a crowded space, and there’s more pressure on teachers, their time, not only with new technology, but with everything else going on in their lives,” advises Low.

Ensuring EdTech Success and Adoption

That real nut school needs cracking. Smart Technologies helps achieve that goal through its ambassador program. The company’s products are used worldwide, so thousands of teachers worldwide are part of an online community that the company sponsors to help each other.

Teachers can post questions, and each provides a mutual support society using various software programs and hardware tools. According to Lowe, global community-level experts who support each other in different languages ​​are very effective. Not only with training, but also with best practices for using technology and creating websites with self-paced learning.

Utility is nothing flashy. This is critical to success.

“Once an educator can see that it’s no different from what he or she is doing, using ed tech doesn’t become just another add-on to the endless list of things teachers expect,” Lowe said.