How edtech transforms extracurricular activities for student success

The scope of student success has long moved beyond the confines of the classroom. Educators are working to develop well-rounded students that are performing well in more than just their academic grades alone.  

The behavioural and emotional components of a student’s education journey are of equal importance, as is providing opportunities to engage in learning in different ways.  

This is where participation in extracurricular activities enters the equation.  

What are extracurricular activities in schools? 

Extracurricular activities, also known as co-curricular activities, are the additional programs that students engage in beyond the prescribed educational curriculum and typically take place outside of standard school hours.  

This most commonly includes sports, performing arts including dance and music, visual arts, debate/public speaking, outdoor adventure programs, STEM groups, gaming clubs and volunteering/community clubs.  

They largely tap into physical, creative or intellectual tasks in a way that does not occur in the classroom. 

What are the benefits of students participating in extracurricular activities? 

There are many benefits for students that participate in extracurricular activities and out-of-classroom learning. Students have the opportunity to: 

• Develop other skills (i.e. discipline, perseverance, creative expression, critical thinking, problem solving, physical ability, teamwork, communication, collaboration, leadership, responsibility) 
• Explore new interests 
• Encourage emotional wellbeing  
• Improve self-esteem and confidence  

Studies also indicate a connection between participation in extracurricular activities and overall improved academic engagement and attendance.  

Growth in these non-academic areas also has far reaching effects. It helps develop students’ life-ready capabilities, helping set them up for success long after their schooling ends.  

What are the challenges for schools in managing extracurricular programs? 

While the benefits to students that participate in extracurricular activities in school are abundant, it can be challenging for schools and school leaders to maintain the daily requirements of running multiple programs.  

We often hear from Australian schools that tell us about the enormous pressure and stress involved in implementing such valuable opportunities for students. These include: 

• Student safety and risk management – some activities involve different risks than would be encountered in the classroom.  
• Real-time attendance tracking – staff need to know where every student is at any given moment.  
• Additional paperwork – staff manually recording attendance and outcomes takes time away from delivering the activity.  
• Logistical and scheduling conflicts – schools need to manage staffing and supervision while minimising disruption to learning and avoiding regular clashes in the timetable. 
• Complete view of a student’s timetable – teachers need to ensure that students are not overcommitted to too many activities.  
• Up-to-date permissions and payments – maintaining a record of what permissions parents have provided and chasing them to provide payments can be a never-ending headache. 
• Increased communications – parents need to know immediately of any changes or updates to their children’s schedules, as well have a quick and easy way to sign up and register their children for groups and clubs. 

How does edtech make managing extracurricular activities easier? 

Edtech software tools can support the management of school extracurricular programs in many meaningful ways.  

• Reduce double handling of paperwork – save time and increase accuracy by eliminating the manual input of data back into multiple school databases.  
• Access complete student information – making student medical notes such as allergies available to the staff that need it while running an activity improves child safety. 
• Streamline scheduling – ensure all individual and recurring sessions are managed in tandem with the timetable with ease, avoiding clashes and manual coordination. 
• Manage fees, payments and permissions – digital permissions slips, online payment platforms and automated reminders for both centralises and simplifies matters for staff and parents alike so you know all the necessary boxes are ticked. 
• Remove barriers to sign up – using a digital platform makes it easier for students and their families to be informed about the options available and register for them which encourages greater participation.  

Evaluating how to improve your school’s process for extracurricular activities begins with you seeking feedback from staff on what’s working and what’s not. Then when you have identified what your school needs to improve the management of your extracurricular activities, you need to find the right edtech software solution that directly addresses those requirements.  

The right solution for your school should save your team time, make the whole process simple and pain free for your parents and enable your students to enjoy the activities they love the most. 

So, how do your school and students benefit? 

When students take part in extracurricular activities, they have the opportunity to accelerate engagement, skill development and personal growth. Alongside academic performance, these complementary markers of student success deliver short and long-term benefits in the classroom and beyond.  

Making it as easy and efficient for staff to facilitate these activities benefits students, staff and your whole school community. Edtech tools like Tes SEQTA make this easier to achieve by giving your staff the tools they need to coordinate, communicate and track activities without added administrative workload, so they have more time to support their students.  

Enhance your school’s extracurricular outcomes with Tes SEQTA 

Tes SEQTA, the industry leading school learning management system (LMS), gives you the smarter scheduling, visibility and attendance data you need to support every student to succeed across all aspects of their education. Get in touch with our team to discuss how SEQTA, can improve how your school manages extracurricular activities.