Transforming Education: The Role of EdTech in Empowering Students and Teachers

Introduction 

At Sloss Tech in June, we had the opportunity to attend the breakout session, "EdTech and Education Economies Panel." Speakers LaToria Foy, Nicole Pezent, and Dr. Lisa Herring discussed how EdTech is growing and can be used to help change the lives of students and teachers alike.  

We've been thinking about this idea because of our own experience developing VirtuOwl, a platform that aims to innovate infrastructures to transform communication in school systems on every level. EdTech is incredibly important as we search for ways to make education more accessible for every student, everywhere.  

As a software development company, we have been on the front lines of innovating how technology changes these aspects of our lives. 

Education is the next industry to be revolutionized by technology, and many industries have undergone massive changes in recent years. The development of HIPPA-compliant telemedicine platforms transformed accessibility for those needing medical care. Social media utterly transformed how humans engage with each other daily. Self-driving cars are changing how we think about transportation. The list goes on and on, and there is room on that list for EdTech to transform how our students learn, how our teachers are supported, how administrators communicate, and so much more. 

In recent years, advancements in educational technology have transformed traditional teaching methods and expanded access to education globally. Technology integration in classrooms has enabled educators to tailor lessons to meet diverse learning needs, enhance student collaboration, and provide immediate feedback for improved learning outcomes. Moreover, technology has facilitated distance learning, allowing students to access educational resources and interact with instructors remotely, thus breaking down geographical barriers to education. 

Online Learning Platforms 

An online learning platform allows students to access educational content strictly digitally, in either groups or individual settings. Online learning can take place live at set times or entail pre-recorded lessons for students to complete in their own time. Think of Khan Academy or Coursera. 

During the pandemic, these platforms became more popular and extensive.  

Online learning platforms are evolving; more than that, they are helping students develop. Some of the benefits of online learning platforms include: 

• Accessibility to a wide range of courses and subjects: Online learning has allowed students to access a whole new world of schooling. Traditional schools can be incredibly limited by their curriculum, and online learning introduces the possibility of a new subject or class that might be of interest to a student. 
• Flexibility in scheduling and pacing of learning: In a traditional classroom, lessons are scheduled at a specific time of day, and students' schedules are often formed around the availability of classes. Online learning allows for far more autonomy in deciding your education. This can help students who struggle with distractions, need to take more time with lessons, etc.  
• Cost-effectiveness compared to traditional education: With the increase in online learning platforms, parents no longer must spend thousands of dollars on tutors or extra classes because many more resources are available. (This is not to sell short the need for tutors and extra help. Online learning simply offers an additional resource that many may find helpful). Additionally, virtual coursework often takes advantage of virtual resources, translating into less money spent on textbooks or other resources.  
• Personalized education for students: Students who find their focus suffers from classroom activity may benefit from online classes. Students who aren't as assertive may have better opportunities to participate in class discussions when communicating online. Working from your own choice of environment, with self-paced learning, can result in a more personalized learning experience. 

Of course, with any technological advancement come challenges and considerations that we must address. One such consideration is the importance of self-discipline and motivation in online learning. Because of the flexibility of online education, some students will struggle without the structure of a traditional classroom. That is why integrating the new and updated technological tools into a more conventional classroom becomes essential. 

Another important consideration is the digital divide and access issues. This can be evaluated in a couple of ways. First, leaders need to provide students with technology to enhance their learning and support the new device density with a network upgrade. Access to technology is the first benchmark in bridging the digital divide. The next facet is how educators use technology to design learning experiences. Having the tools is one thing, but knowing how to use them effectively to enhance students' learning outcomes is important and requires support.  

Personalized Learning Experiences 

Personalized learning experiences have become a hot topic as we have seen an increase in acknowledgment of how different students will learn differently.

In 2018, the Education Week Research Center conducted a nationally representative survey of the country's school principals. More than half characterized personalized learning as either a "transformational way to improve public education" or a "promising idea." Ninety-seven percent said their schools were using digital technologies to personalize learning in some form or fashion. 

Technology enables personalized learning through a few key contributions: 

• Adaptive learning technologies that tailor content to individual student needs. 
• Data analytics and assessment tools to track student progress. 
• Customizable learning paths and resources based on student performance. 

We are only a software development company, so we are not advocating for an overhaul of curricular education or standardized practices in a traditional schooling model. But there are some significant contributions tech can make to help progress how our students are being supported, and we think it is important to at least discuss them.  

Instructional Support 

Technology also introduces a new and improved method for instructional support. Teachers, administrators, and counselors are bogged down in administrative duties that take their time away from directly working with students. 

New resources like learning management systems and adaptive learning technologies introduce enhanced instructional support to relieve some of the burden on teachers. In a survey conducted by our client VirtuOwl, 90% of teachers who responded identified burnout as a serious problem.  

Systems like Canvas, Moodle, Schoology, etc., help teachers organize course content, assignments, and assessments. This can alleviate the extra hours of work spent planning and organizing. This freed-up time can be used to focus on why students aren't grasping a particular concept, reach out to a parent of a child who needs extra support, or do whatever else might need to be done but gets put on the back burner because of the administrative burden. 

Conclusion 

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, educational technology stands at the forefront of transforming teaching and learning experiences worldwide. From enhancing accessibility to resources and facilitating personalized learning paths to fostering collaboration among educators and students alike, technology has revolutionized the way education is delivered and received. 

Yet, as we embrace EdTech's possibilities, we must also navigate ethical and social considerations. Issues such as screen time management, digital equity, privacy concerns, and integrating traditional teaching methods with technological advancements require thoughtful reflection and proactive solutions. By addressing these challenges, we ensure that technology remains a tool for empowerment and equity in education. 

Finding ways to integrate technology into a traditional learning environment can have monumental impacts, and it cannot be done lightly, but we are eager to see how technology will help students, teachers, and administrators as it continues to develop. By fostering a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and collaboration, we can create learning environments where every student can thrive and succeed.