Exploring how new Education Technology (EdTech) is successfully implemented and embedded in schools and colleges.

The Department of Education (DfE) recently published a research report on the Implementation of education technology in schools and colleges. The report is a lengthy one, so we thought we’d publish a series of blogs distilling down the key themes and what they mean for your Multi Academy Trust (MAT) and its schools.

The first in the series is all about having a clear line of sight between EdTech, the Trust and the schools’ goals and its people. In other words, it’s all about ensuring alignment.

As well as outlining what success could look like, the report also outlines the impact that an absence of alignment causes:

  • Inefficiencies
  • Stress on systems and people
  • Wasted or poorly used energy
  • Confusion
  • Mixed messages

Bill Vaughan of Hewlett Packard (HP) in his task of revitalising HP is quoted as saying “To make HP a great company again...the same concepts will be at work here: simplicity, focus, alignment and execution.”

A key step to effective, fully aligned EdTech is to understand your current situation and any gaps that there may be which can then inform your ICT Strategy. Read our Novatia Note which outlines the areas that an ICT Audit and Strategy should cover.

Areas your ICT Audit & Strategy should cover

So, how do we achieve alignment within MATs? Let me outline four ways to be on the right foot to achieving EdTech excellence.

Cross function understanding

I’m sure that many people will see the title of the DfE report and immediately think that it is only relevant to those who are responsible for leading EdTech within the Trust or school. This is not necessarily the case. The first element of being on the same page that I think is paramount is to have alignment between functions, this can foster support of future ICT developments. Therefore, the readership of this report should extend to senior personnel within Finance, HR, Estates, administrative and teaching staff.

EdTech strategy 

‘Having a digital vision or strategy, that aligned or integrated with curriculum goals and improvement plans ensured that the technology implemented was relevant and helped the setting to achieve their goals.' (DfE report p.7)

Fundamentally, the lack of an ICT strategy leads to confusion and means that people don’t know what the MAT is trying to achieve and how they plan to achieve it.

It is essential that any ICT strategy is aligned with curriculum goals and organisational improvement plans. This will result in EdTech that supports the MAT or school’s overall vision and strategy and not be tech for tech’s sake.

Developing a robust ICT Strategy starts with an ICT Audit. This is where you get a clear picture of the here and now and identifies any gaps that there may be. Read our Novatia Note which outlines the areas that an ICT Audit and Strategy should cover.

Infrastructure

It’s all well and good devising an ICT Strategy but if it doesn’t consider existing infrastructure it’s going to be difficult to achieve. Infrastructure isn’t necessarily something that can be changed easily and therefore, it is important that any strategy and its implementation is aligned with the existing infrastructure, be that buildings or compatibility with existing systems.

That’s not to say, that any ICT Strategy can’t plan for some new infrastructure, it just means that understanding the current situation and what may be required for new EdTech should be considered in tandem.

Staff and student competence

While considering any new ICT equipment or processes, it’s important to not only consider alignment with the MATs strategy but also with staff and student capabilities. Do the ICT staff have the technical knowledge to implement a new system? Do they have the bandwidth to work on new projects? Will other staff and students be able to use the EdTech? What kind of training will be required?

The report also raises an interesting thought that when the plan to invest in EdTech is aligned with the strategy, infrastructure and that users’ skills and training requirements have been considered then the development is bought into more and appreciated by users.

Conclusion

The first step to aligning all the elements for successful EdTech is to have a picture of your current situation as well as have an ICT Strategy. Knowing your starting point, in terms of technical/operational status as well as organisational health, will also enable you to evaluate the success of your adopted strategy.

If you don’t have full knowledge of your status quo or have an up-to-date ICT Strategy, our Novatia Note is further reading for you on what an ICT Audit and Strategy should include.

Areas your ICT Audit & Strategy should cover

Furthermore, it’s not just alignment with the strategy that is important. It needs to be integrated with other operational elements, such as understanding from all functions within the MAT, infrastructure, and human competence.

If you don’t have an ICT Strategy or it's time that your ICT Strategy was reviewed, get in touch to find out how we can help with our ICT Audit and Strategy service.

Get in touch

As ICT experts in UK Education, Novatia can provide aFREE CONSULTATIONto discuss your ICT situation and its direction. 

Ifyou would like to speak to a member of our team, get in touch either by phone on 01962 832632 or by email .

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Visit: www.novatia.com  Email: info@novatia.com  Call: 01962 832632

 

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