Foreword
Now containing half a decade's worth of research, with input from over 2000 educators, the fifth State of Technology in Education report is one of the most insightful accounts of how attitudes are shifting within the education technology landscape.
The report is one of the few places you can find out exactly what your peers around the country are planning, doing, achieving and struggling with. But this year, there's more. Engage with other educators, spark discussion and inspire action through live comments. Watch and reflect on videos of real teachers, head teachers and school IT managers telling their own personal stories. This year, you can join the conversation.
It has been a difficult year for education. Covid, unsurprisingly, has changed the perception of what's most important. Not only are issues like safeguarding, wellbeing and security naturally higher priorities, but the approach to technology has shifted. Almost all educators say tech is a positive means to improving engagement, yet keeping pupils motivated, despite the huge reliance on tech, was a top challenge during lockdown. As such, educators have recognised where technology can genuinely enhance communication and collaboration, and where it falls short for education — outside of the classroom setting.
So, there's likely to be a refreshed, more pragmatic IT roadmap for the coming year. There's a positive outlook that strategic investments are being made in tools that support pedagogy and learning goals. Still, training provision and support should be prioritised to get maximum benefit from any new tech rollout.
Despite this year's challenges, there's renewed optimism amongst educators as schools returned. The nation recognises the vital role that educators play in the lives and futures of students. That's why this year's report is more than a report — it's a vehicle for collaboration and inspiration amongst teachers, SLTs and IT managers. Through this year's State of Technology in Education report, you can tell your story.
People and technology kept schools running through lockdown. Yet the data and insights show that pupil engagement significantly dropped. As such, we expect schools and educators to combine new honed tech skills and goal-focused tools with the invaluable face-to-face interaction that pupils need to thrive.
Who did we survey?
During such a transformative year in education, our fifth State of Technology in Education report is more important that ever. Gathering insights from more than 2,000 educators across the UK and Ireland, it includes half a decade's worth of contributions, opinions and stories from teachers, heads and deputy heads, IT managers and support staff. This year's State of Technology in Education report is one of the most detailed accounts of shifting attitudes in schools across the country.
Where do they work?
Where are they located?
Our survey respondents work in various schools across the UK and Ireland. Take a look at the interactive map to see where our respondents were based.
