Educators across the UK believe new technologies will have positive educational outcomes, but are worried about how to fully capitalise on these opportunities in the classroom, research released by Epson has revealed.
The research, which pooled the insights of 17 global industry experts, and questioned more than 1,300 education professionals in the UK, found that almost three quarters (74%) said that education will become more accessible to students through collaborative tech.
A similar percentage (72%) say detailed understanding of technology prepares students for the real world, and 60% believe technology will level the playing field for students, allowing them to learn in their own way.
However, they also have concerns about how this change is implemented. Almost two thirds (64%) believe they are not equipped to train students with the skills they’ll need to use newer technology over the next decade. More than half (54%) believe teaching quality will diminish as teachers are expect to learn and use more technology. There is also a sense classrooms should not be too reliant on technology, with 72% agreeing an over-reliance on accessing information via technology could lead to general knowledge diminishing.
If our education systems are to reap the benefits of new technologies – from interactive projectors and augmented reality to robots – and lead the next generation of students into a future where the world is their classroom, then governments and educational institutions must invest where it matters
When it comes to what educators believe are the greatest threats to education quality in the next 10 years, financing was the top concern (51%), followed by increased costs (37%) and teacher training (36%) – highlighting the clear role governments and policy makers can play to ensure institutions can capitalise on technology opportunities and upskill staff.
