New tech has 'significant impact' on teaching and learning

Thursday 28 November 2024

New technology across education settings will have a significant impact on teaching and learning, according to senior educationalists in Guernsey.

The digital element of the Transforming Education Programme, which has been underway in recent years, has already seen substantial infrastructure improvements including enhanced connectivity implemented across schools and the roll out of new hardware, such as digital teaching screens in every classroom. It has sought to fully overhaul IT systems in schools to ensure staff and students have improved and reliable networks and access to modern, digital tools with which to teach and learn.

One of the key milestones that this workstream reached was the rollout of new interactive screens, supplied and supported by ViewSonic, to every classroom across the education estate which was concluded for the start of the September term.

These screens are now beginning to make a significant difference to teaching, giving teachers the ability to lead lessons with interactive displays. They allow lessons to be more inclusive and engaging whilst bringing to life complex concepts. This aligns with objectives set in the Education Strategy and the High-Quality Inclusive Practice guidance which education follows.

ViewSonic have produced a video highlighting the technology's rollout in Guernsey, which can be found here: Setting Guernsey Up for Success in the Digital Age of Education | State of Guernsey X ViewSonic

Sophie Roughsedge, Head of Education Operations, said:

"Our real aim with the new technology is that we use it to fundamentally improve teaching and learning, and to enhance what is happening in the classroom. We're particularly focused on what we have termed High-Quality Inclusive Practice which is aimed at supporting learners with additional learning needs, alongside making best use of the new technology to enhance outcomes for every young person. In the long term we will be monitoring carefully to see how the new technology is helping to develop the skills of our workforce and the digital skills of young people in Guernsey and Alderney as well as any overall impact on the progress of our learners."

Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, President of the Committee forEducation, Sport & Culture, said:

"Aged digital platforms have been one of a few significant factors holding education back locally, so the recent eagerly awaited roll out of updated digital technology for our settings and the enhanced capability we now have for our students is an exciting and future-facing development Digital technology is an everyday part of our lives, and we've made significant progress since its early classroom use, where neither its capabilities nor its usage were fully understood. A decade later, we recognise that new digital technology should be seen as a tool to enhance human interaction and, when used appropriately, can greatly benefit our students' learning.

"Essential physical skills such as oracy, handwriting or the practice of reading from hard copy, combined with touch typing, navigation of devices and the use of digital interactive display to provide for adaptive and dynamic learning must be part of the normal everyday experience for our students. It's crucial to focus less on the hardware itself and instead how it is used intelligently to compliment the pedagogy. Still in the early phase of the roll out, we have already had positive feedback the impact this technology is having. Our aim is for children and young people to achieve their potential by offering the best support and learning environments for staff and students. Digital technology plays a vital role in this and the extensive work undertaken has opened up many new opportunities."