The edtech landscape has been moving at startling speed in recent years, and with AI being touted as a new frontier, it can seem things are changing too quickly to keep up with. However, much of this fast-paced feeling is generated by the media. AI has actually been in our lives for many years, impacting security, communication, transport and finances in fundamental ways even before the pandemic.Â
If you’re comfortable using a smartphone and a computer, understanding edtech and how to make it work for you is well within reach. In fact, getting involved with the development of new tools is easier than you might think, and it brings multiple benefits to teachers’ lives. Take a look at a few of these benefits then scroll to the bottom for simple ways to dive in.
Impact Procurement Decisions
The worst tools are often the ones we don’t choose. They might work brilliantly at another school or for the teacher down the hall, but they don’t align with your processes. You might find yourself longing to have a bigger stake in what’s chosen, but this requires time and know-how that you’re reluctant or unable to invest.
To make the process feel easier, it can help to understand how edtech tools are developed. Companies creating these tools are keen to get your opinion on how they should work, and they’ll talk you through all the steps and processes they’ve implemented along the way. When they ask for feedback on how assessment reports should look, for instance, you can understand the options available and how they work. You can even impact the choices companies make, helping them develop tools that are perfectly suited to you.
Learn more on the ways teachers are working to impact the edtech used in their schools:
https://www.theheadteacher.com/school-procurement/ict/why-teachers-need-more-of-a-say-in-edtech
Become a thought leader
Procurement isn’t the only area of edtech that’s impacted by more knowledge and experience in the field. In our increasingly digital age, schools need help with knowledge-sharing and forward planning, and those with know-how have the edge. Become an edtech ambassador in your school and take on leadership in this area as part of your progression to higher and better-paid positions.
Open up to other careers
You may not want to move to a higher role in your current career but to change it entirely. One of our team members here at Seven Springs Education started as a classroom teacher, and we snapped up her experience to give us insight into what teachers need. There are plenty of careers adjacent to teaching where your knowledge will be rewarded, and edtech is a fast-growing option.
Learn more about how to make the transition to a career in edtech:
https://edtechinsiders.substack.com/p/the-move-from-teaching-to-edtech
You might even want to combine your two areas of interest, and stay in school to develop bespoke edtech tools. Learn about the teachers doing just this:
How to get involved:
Join online communities for teachers interested in edtech. Companies will reach out in these groups for consultations. Search social media for groups to join.
Set up job alerts to hear about new opportunities. These may be short consulting jobs at first, which are advertised as needed. Though the initial work may only be brief, you’re building a great relationship that will lead to more in future. This is how we often find our content creators and editors.
Ask friends to recommend you. Networks are great resources for edtech companies, who would happily take a recommendation from someone they know. Let your friends know you’re interested in developing your edtech portfolio, and you may find someone is already doing exactly what you need.
Look up edtech masters degrees. These are becoming increasingly popular, and even if you don’t take a degree yourself, you can still benefit by expanding your network. Reach out to course leads to let them know you’re keen to get involved in research. Many students are already working in the industry; for example, we’ve recently worked with a St Andrew’s student taking TESOL with Technology for Teaching. Connections like this are helpful for your current and future career in the edtech industry.
At Seven Springs Education, we encourage teachers to join our product development groups to trial our platforms, including the latest AI features and technology. If you are an edtech enthusiast or would like to get involved in shaping the future of education, join our Teachers in Edtech group.