With school finances so stretched, there has never been a more important time to consider your digital strategy carefully.
While you may be able to forgo some of what’s on your wish list, you can’t do without it all: cutting technology altogether would deprive pupils of undeniable benefits, not to mention damage the smooth running of their schools. Even so, an estimated 906,595 computers in schools are deemed to be ineffective owing to age, specification or condition, according to a 2017 survey by the British Educational Suppliers Association.
So with the 2018 BETT show just around the corner, how can leaders maximise their shrinking ICT budgets?
Plan before you go
Technology is not an end in itself; it must be fully integrated into teaching and learning development plans. Leaders need to be aware of how technology can, for example, offer powerful feedback and assessment tools and plan their digital strategy accordingly.
Leaders also need to work closely with their ICT network teams to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to ensure the smooth roll-out of any new technology. Nothing undermines a project more than a series of false starts. It is therefore vital that technical and teaching and learning teams work together from the outset to avoid wasted time and energy, and unforeseen costs.
Choose audio-visual displays wisely
The interactive whiteboard (IWB) first appeared in UK schools at the end of the 1990s and was heralded as a way of bringing teaching into the digital age. These devices were heavily backed by the government in 2003 through the primary schools whiteboard expansion initiative, and their penetration into schools is undeniable. An estimated 90 per cent of UK classrooms are equipped with an IWB, according to a 2013 report, and many of these devices are now approaching the end of their useful life.
School leaders looking for a replacement should pause and consider what teachers need in their classrooms, as the savings here are potentially huge. The impact of IWBs on teaching is obvious, as combining them with a projector and computer enables teachers to easily illustrate what they are saying. But how often are these devices really used interactively, rather than as a digital blackboard?
If teachers are simply using IWBs to display material, it would be much cheaper and more sustainable to replace them with LED screens. For example, you can buy a 79in LED screen for less than £800, a colossal saving on the £5,000-£8,000 cost of some IWBs.
These LED screens can easily be combined with a hand-held tablet and mirroring software for less than £1,100, which would enable the teacher to interact with the screen in the same way as with an IWB and additionally act as a visualiser to capture student work for assessment purposes.
This audio-visual solution does not require an annual subscription for proprietary software, which IWBs often need - an additional cost saving.
Consider trying a tablet
The use of tablet computers, such as the iPad, has grown rapidly in recent years, with an estimated 72 per cent of UK schools using them, according to a 2015 Besa survey.
Tablets offer a range of pedagogical tools that, when used well, can transform learning by making students work harder, for longer and more efficiently. They can make it easier for teachers to assess student learning and give feedback, and the speed at which they load means that you don’t waste time waiting for them to boot up.
However, before leaders rush to buy tablets for their schools, there are numerous considerations and costs that need to be thought through first, such as access points, internet bandwidth and device management.
It is possible to purchase Android tablets for £50, which, combined with free tools such as Google Apps for Education (GAFE), Socrative and Showbie, are potentially transformative.
But without proper staff training these tools can quickly be left gathering dust in cupboards, especially if the teacher cannot control pupils’ access to other more distracting elements of the internet, a common problem on cheaper devices.
At the other end of the cost spectrum, iOS devices such as the iPad can be fully managed by the school, and the teacher can use the free Classroom app to monitor what the students are doing, as well as locking them into individual web pages and apps.
These tools give the teacher the confidence to use devices knowing they can control potential distractions and quickly guide students where they need to be. You can also set up iOS devices so that different students can use the same device as though it was their own, potentially a significant cost saving on buying larger numbers of cheaper devices.
Don’t get carried away by software
The BETT show is full of software packages that promise to transform teaching and learning, and many of them undoubtedly help to improve student outcomes. However, it is incredibly easy to be drawn in by experienced salespeople and the excitement of trying out new programs.
It is important to remember that just because a piece of software is engaging doesn’t necessarily mean it will actually help students to learn more effectively. The key questions to ask whenever you view any new software are: will it aid learning, will it make teaching easier and will it help the management of the school?
Licences can be very expensive, and when budgets are tight it is important to avoid projects that won’t gain traction.
Don’t forget CPD
Whatever decisions you make about technology, it will only make a difference if it is accompanied by effective training. Staff are under more pressure than ever, and innovations are doomed to fail if teachers are not given the time and resources to learn how to put them into practice.
It is for this reason that the budget for new technology has to be aligned with the one for CPD, as this is the only way you can ensure it will have any impact. Remember, the amazing new kit will never be as good as the teachers who use it, so you must keep them in mind at all times. Technology will never replace teachers, but it can amplify the great work they already do.
Five free web apps with the power to transform learning
Socrative - Whole-class questioning and self-marking tests
Showbie - A powerful assessment and feedback tool
Kahoot! - A fun way of using low-stakes testing in class
Quizlet - Create flashcards for spaced retrieval practice
Seesaw - Digital portfolios that enable peer assessment and parental involvement
Nic Ford is deputy head (academic) of Bolton School Boys’ Division
