The new Heads Upserieshosted by СƵ kicks off with an insightfuldiscussion about shifts inteaching andlearning practices at international schools. Research Director Sam Fraser talks to Dr Kristen Weatherby, a researcher and consultant in education technology and teacher policy,about the results released in the newTeaching and Learningin International SchoolsReportjust published by СƵ.Therecording of the discussion is available as a video onthe and as a on most common applications.
The ed in edtech
“What made me happy in the research results was that respondents were asked what the most likely catalysts for change inteaching andlearning over the last few years had been,” Kristensaysto Sam during the podcast.“Very few said it was because they purchased a new piece of technologywhichmade it clear thatteaching andlearning decisions were not based on the tech, but about the teaching and learning. So schools that responded to this survey are really makingteaching andlearning decisions because of the teaching and learning and not about the tech and that is very encouraging. That represented a shift in thinking. It’s about using tech as a tool, but not because of it.”This is an important product development message for education suppliers.
Takeaway messages on school development
During the podcast,Kristen explainsher thinking behind otherresults that she considers are positive messagesfrom the report, giving school leaders, educators, andthosesuppliers supporting teaching and learning reasons why the research offers such value for school development and improvement.
“Scaling education technology needs pockets of innovation within every school; innovative teachers are really quite important,” she said. “I loved hearing about this in the report. Most of the changes that are happening are because of teachers who have come back from professional development, or are new to a school and are sharing their learning or experience. It was really refreshing to hear.”
The shift towards blended learning
During the podcast, Sam and Kristen discuss how international schools are shifting towards a more blended learning approach, the skill development within the use of education technology and what that needs to incorporate, the value of industry collaborations, and more. Kristen also sends an important message to teacher training institutions: “Will NQTs be more desirable in the future because of their current understanding of tech and new pedagogies? Much is dependent on the system of initial teacher training and if new pedagogies are included. It’s really tough to reform teacher training but universities need to be aware of potential change.”
Follow СƵ on social media including toaccess the video and tostay informed of future episodes in the Heads Up series, andsubscribenowto receive all issues of Heads Up.The СƵTeaching and Learning in International Schools Reportis free and available to download.
