At Kibworth CE Primary School, we have always placed a big emphasis on Educational Technology (EdTech) and how it can positively impact teaching and learning to keep children actively engaged and enhancing their learning and development.
We have seen, first-hand, how empowering pupils teachers and parents with technology can help them achieve more. We have seen how the right technology, used at the right time can remove barriers to learning and close educational gaps. And we have seen how, by using technology to put the student at the centre of the classroom, children develop the 21st century skills – problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and resilience, needed to succeed in the
There is no denying that we live in a digital world. Technology is now part of almost every aspect of daily life. We can’t go anywhere without our mobile phones – our lives are on them. We use technology to shop, to bank, to work, to connect with friends and family. We listen to music from a Cloud. We watch what we want, when we want and where we want. Can you imagine a world without technology?
By harnessing the power of technology, we’ve brought countless improvements into our homes, our workplaces, and the society we live in — so why should the classroom be any different?
Evidence shows that using technology can help encourage active participation in the classroom. Using devices like a computer, tablet, or other type of technology in your classroom can help turn subjects into interactive and deep activities. And when children are interacting and having fun – deep levels of learning take place.
Teachers have observed an increased frequency of pupils helping each other when they’re using technology in the classroom. Many technology-based tasks involve other aspects, and this leads to situations where students need to seek help from their peers or the teacher.
The impact that technology has had on our lives and how much we depend on it is clear. Technology is not going away and no matter which career our children choose, these roles will inevitably require some tech skills, and ideally some advanced ones.
Technology allows some pupils to be included in the classroom in ways they have never been before. Many children who have special educational needs can benefit from technology that helps them to access learning.
It can be as simple as spelling errors being highlighted or adaptive readers highlighting text or immersive reader reading aloud to pupils so they can research and use websites like their peers using technology.
The pandemic allowed us to develop the skills to ensure our pupils can be taught in any place at any time. Technology enabled us to continue teaching children at home during the pandemic but alos in a range of circumstances beyond this time.
Technology removes the barriers of time, place and space and presents us with so many opportunities for teaching and learning.
Digital devices can be used to share lesson planning and resources. Teachers can easily collaborate with each other, not only across our school but across the Trust and further afield. By using technology, teachers can spend more time engaging with students.
One of our jobs as educators is to prepare children for the future. As such, we have a responsibility to ensure children acquire the skills necessary to be successful in the world – a world where the use of technology is developing at a rapid pace and most of the jobs that future generations will be doing, haven’t even been invented yet.
We have been fortunate to acquire a variety of STEM equipment. Though the Acer STEM rewards programme, we have been able to purchase MS Surface Books, Drones, Spheros, Microbits, VR headsets and a 3D printer. The impact on teaching and learning has been immense.
See for yourself the impact Acer STEM Rewards are having in our school.
We regularly hold Blended Learning Open Days at Kibworth CE Primary school and across the trust, to showcase blended learning in action and allow school leaders and teachers to see how we are using EdTech within the classroom to enhance teaching and learning.
If you would like details of our next Open Day , please email office@dsatkibworth.org
In 2021, Kibworth CE Primary School became a Microsoft Incubator School for the Microsoft Showcase School Programme. We are very pleased to announce that we have graduated from this programme and become a Microsoft Showcase School is committed to school-wide digital transformation, leveraging Microsoft’s Education Transformation Framework to drive a culture of learning, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Being awarded this status demonstrates our commitment to exploring new approaches to teaching and learning to ensure students are prepared for success in school and life.
A series of webinars to support schools with embedding blended learning into their teaching and learning.