For pupils, the introduction of technology into the classroom has steadily transformed their learning, making for an enjoyable education. But when the bell rings, UK teachers are left facing mounting pressure and skyrocketing mental health issues. To address this worrying trend, we’re asking how the use of technology and software can go beyond a learning tool, and some way towards a solution that alleviates teacher stress.

 

The Educator’s Dilemma

Today, teachers in the UK are feeling the pressure to perform. With school budgets constantly cut or squeezed, and expectations on both students and their educators rising every term, teacher welfare has become a hot topic.

As some in the profession will confess, this leaves many in a precarious position, having to choose between their career or their welfare. It’s this choice and the factors leading towards it that have seen levels of stress, anxiety and depression in teachers rise to worrying levels.

To tackle these increasingly desperate conditions, technology and software firms need to address several issues which underpin the situation: namely limited resources and solutions which effectively address workload expectations.

Teaching Without Limitations

It was recently revealed that for the first time in twenty years, schools in England would face ‘real-term’ funding cuts. This means that spending per pupil will drop by 6.5% – an astronomical amount in terms of resources.

To address the challenge of limited resources Google has worked to customise existing technology to fit the needs of teachers. Two such examples are the Expeditions app – which enables classes to explore anywhere in the world without the cost – and Quizzes in Google Forms.

The latter of these two offerings helps teachers speed up the process of marking work and analysing class feedback by providing an autonomous multiple choice style quiz. The solution also gives teachers an overview of their pupils’ understanding, offering supplementary materials where possible. The end result is a time-saving exercise, giving educators an in-depth insight into their students’ performance in a fraction of the time.

Better Teacher Assessment

As a bespoke software development house, Kaleida’s purpose is to build tailored solutions that tackle a wide range of challenges for companies across multiple industries. As such, we have actively addressed the need for more technological support for teachers, in the form of our work with Teach Best.

In 2012, additional regulations were enforced, insisting that teachers be observed and assessed against relevant standards. The additional administrative work these changes demanded led to Allison Crompton CBE from Middleton Technology School commissioning a piece of bespoke software from Kaleida.

The solution – a Teacher Appraisal and Lesson Observation system – provides full control over the appraisal process, including the allocation of pupil progress, all the way through to setting aspirational targets. The system allows schools to remain compliant with the regulation and any further changes, without increasing administrative workloads or necessitating several pieces of software. The assessment functionality also provides the teachers with feedback necessary to professional development, and gain extra support where needed.

Where Next?

Technology is making a splash in the classroom when it comes to pupil learning, but it’s now up to technology companies to follow in Google’s footsteps and address the issues outside the classroom affecting teachers.

Until widespread governmental changes come into place, teachers are relying on outsider support to cope – and as technology firms seek to change the world, they may wish to spare a thought for the humble teacher, struggling to choose between doing what they love and their mental welfare. We recently built a tool available to all primary school teachers and heads; our SnapShot assessment tool. Created with teachers, for teachers, it’s an accurate and simple to use pipil learning assessment tool. Every curriculum statement, for every pupil, recorded every lesson, in real time. Find out more on the website SnapShot.

To find out more about Kaleida’s bespoke software development for education and other industries, please feel free to check out our case studies here. We welcome any questions and enquiries, and can be contacted here.