With Bett over for another year, we look at some of the key issues being discussed and how technology is continuing to innovate in this sector.
VR is the future…
Virtual and augmented reality have been hailed as game changers in a number of sectors in 2016 and with 2017 now upon us, Bett took it upon itself to highlight how this looks set to be the year the technology is truly embraced in the classroom. In the HE Leaders’ Summit, the panelists on ‘Teaching in the 21st Century – What Comes Next?’ accepted that VR has been a contentious issue and keeping up with such rapid change is financially difficult for many institutions. However, ‘Making Virtual Reality a Reality in the Classroom’ showed just what a powerful learning tool VR can be, with lessons utilising 360° video, ideas to embed VR across the curriculum and advice for running VR experiences leaving attendees in no doubt that VR offers an opportunity to engage students like nothing else.
On the showfloor Veative Labs (pictured) was busy demonstrating just how this could work with its e-learning solution which comprises thousands of video animations, 3D models, simulation labs, AR/VR Lab, zSpace Virtual Lab.
…But content is still king
Much like textbooks before them the quality of a teaching device is still dependent on the quality of the content, whether that device is now digital or utilising VR technology. One example of how this can work was offered by Meridian High School Croydon, which utilised Amazing People Schools’ digital and interactive products. Amazing People Schools gives students the chance to hear the stories of key historical figures such as Albert Einstein and Marie Curie via ebooks and audio recordings. Topics such as science and maths, literacy and arts and history are covered by Amazing People. Meanwhile, PageWerkx emphasised the need for digital content to be engaging, simple to use on all devices and not necessarily dependent on an internet connection.
Gamification is good
As gaming theory evolves, we are learning more about the power of game-based learning to engage students and enhance knowledge retention. At Bett, Tom Ding, maths specialism lead at Ark Academy, offered his real-world experience of how his school has used game-based learning over the past three years. According to Ding, digital games in mathematics have been beneficial to students in terms of their development and enabled instant feedback. The Learn Live: SEN theatre also highlighted how games can support and enhance learning among those students with special educational needs. According to the panel the use of games has increased motivation and attention span while teaching positive life skills.
Data is Big
Data was a big discussion point at this year’s Bett. Seminars covered a range of topics including how data can improve teaching, save you money and enhance classroom observation. In terms of improving teaching, learning analytics are now proven to give an early alert to any students falling behind. This enables quicker and more targeted intervention to get the student back on track. The next step for this could be lecturers using data to fine tune course structure and delivery. Examples were also given of video being used to observe and offer feedback on lessons thus empowering both teachers and students to feel more involved in classes.
Social media can be a force for good
With many schools still struggling to maintain an informative and consistent social media policy, Bett looked at how institutions at all levels of education can make the best use of social media to engage and inform students, parents and the entire school community. Examples were given of schools successfully attracting students through strategic use of platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, while blogging was also promoted as a good way of keeping institutions at front of mind and promoting their activities in the community. YouTube and the use of video in education has also grown exponentially in recent years, a trend that shows no sign of abating.
Save the date for Bett 2018, which will run from 24-27 January.
