Why we can’t turn our back on EdTech

For the education sector, education technology (EdTech) presented revolutionary benefits for teachers, students and parents alike, which many hoped would extend beyond the pandemic. However, with the Government recently announcing the end of its flagship EdTech demonstrator programme, some fear that policy makers are overlooking the future potential offered by digital technology.

Echoing school leaders’ criticism of this scrapping as ‘disappointing’ and indicating a ‘lack of vision’, Al Kingsley explores the crucial role the programme has played in supporting attainment and wellbeing since its conception prior to the pandemic. Here, he makes the case for continued and sustained investment in EdTech which prioritises the sharing of best practice, promotes more personalised and flexible learning environments, and supports the evolution of pedagogical approaches to maximise the vast potential digital learning offers.