As the 2024 year kicked off, the British Education Training and Technology show gave UC Advanced an opportunity to ask some key players some key questions.
Q. What were the key themes coming out of BETT?
Martin McDermott, Business Development and Education Specialist, TP-Link UK
“Technology tackling inequalities within schools was one of the key themes at this year’s Bett Show, with a focus on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and neurodiversity.
Specifically, there was much discussion around what the education sector can do to better support individuals to maximise learning outcomes and how they can create increasingly supportive and safe environments.”
Matt Waring, Education Channel Manager, Logitech
“With students spending more and more time using digital devices in and out of school, ergonomics and student well-being are paramount in the tech-driven classrooms of today. This was a big theme at BETT.
“Indeed, 74% of educators say that students’ level of physical comfort while using educational technology impacts their level of engagement. For example, students can use an external mouse and keyboard for a more comfortable and adapted learning environment.
“At the same time, younger students who are still developing fine motor skills can be slow and make more errors with a laptop trackpad alone, so using a mouse can address this while also providing ergonomic benefits. Headsets also improve ergonomics by reducing the habit of leaning forward to built-in laptop speakers or microphones, which can put a strain on students’ necks and backs, encouraging long-lasting comfort and productivity.”
Simon Port, Head of UKI Market, Promethean – a brand of Mynd.ai
“For anyone who walked around the show, AI, virtual reality, and gaming all had a prominent presence. Speaking to school leaders, IT managers and teachers who visited the Promethean stand, the leading themes were value for money, security, and sustainability.
“Budgets are under pressure, but schools still recognise the need to invest in EdTech, both hardware and software. So, the attention is turning to what value can be realised beyond an initial hardware investment and how software can ensure that they get the most out of their technology. Schools are looking to reduce their carbon footprint and source EdTech solutions that perform in the long term with minimal maintenance.
“Having introduced the new Explain Everything Whiteboard app at Bett, we were overwhelmed with positive feedback. Now supplied pre-loaded on our ActivPanel 9 models, the Explain Everything Whiteboard app gives teachers an even richer range of features which is adding greater value to their ActivPanel 9 investments.
“We found a lot of interest in product warranties, training provision and commitment to investing in product development in the long term. As a business that’s been developing EdTech for more than 25 years, we’re in a unique position to demonstrate how we’ve evolved our solutions to meet the needs of schools.”
Petia Maximova, Head of Higher Education Sales EMEA, Canva
“What I saw from BETT is that there is no debate about the use of AI in the classroom anymore. We need to empower students to help them learn how to use AI in schools because it’s a fundamental technology. Last year, there was an enormous debate around AI in schools, this year it’s clear the answer is ‘yes.’ Schools want to be able to provide training around AI, but also a lot of universities or schools want to use AI for their operational processes as well, such as enrollment. So there’s a lot they can automate there.”
Q. How can teachers use collaboration tools more effectively in lessons?
Simon Port
“The use of any collaboration tool should be determined by how engaging it makes the lesson and how easy it is to use for the teacher and the students. So, for teachers to use collaboration tools more effectively, the crucial factor is access to training. Without training, teachers will only scratch the surface of EdTech potential. Take interactive flat panels for example. Without training there’s a risk that teachers will simply use them as a front-of-class display tool rather than making the most of their collaboration potential.
“From a software perspective, teachers can use tools more effectively in lessons if they are able to prepare in advance. As an affordable, web-based lesson creation and delivery software, the recently launched Explain Everything Advanced does exactly that. Teachers can prepare captivating lessons full of multimedia and other content away from the classroom, then immerse students in imaginative learning when delivering the lessons, all from within Explain Everything. Collaboration is even more effective when feedback is encouraged. Explain Everything Advanced gives teachers polling features that can be used to facilitate idea sharing or knowledge checking, all of which promote increased collaboration.”
Martin McDermott
“Collaboration, agile processes and swift, high-quality execution are essential. However, translating these concepts into practical implementation can be challenging. Comprehensive support and training are crucial to fully leverage collaboration tools. Notably, Microsoft, with its longstanding commitment to education, plays a pivotal role. Again, seamless tool delivery relies on a reliable network, and this is where network providers can partner with educational establishments to provide essential networking support.”
Matt Waring
“Successful hybrid learning is dependent on equipping students to easily take part in discussions, develop peer relationships and share resources. The main goal here is to promote engagement, increase confidence, boost interaction and enhance digital learning.
“By ensuring that collaboration tools are easy and enjoyable to use, students can learn without distraction. Tools need to be designed and tested with the students and teachers in mind, and the focus must be on providing
AV equipment that helps to spark the imagination and keep students collaborating, while also being simple for schools to deploy and manage.”
Q. How is the education market changing?
Martin McDermott
“Schools and academies are always looking for new solutions that can improve learning environments, taking into account the individual needs of each pupil, with the aim of improving lesson engagement. Giving students greater freedom to choose how they learn, through interactive online resources, provides increased learning opportunities and introduces the opportunity for them to work more independently.
“Equally important is that schools strike a balance between ensuring students can remain engaged with educational materials, whilst also providing a safe and secure learning environment for all.
“At the heart of this is the support of a stable and secure networking infrastructure. Eliminating dips in connectivity minimises interruptions to lessons and helps students and teachers maintain focus, which ultimately enhances learning outcomes.”
Matt Waring
“As the traditional classroom is becoming increasingly digital, teachers are looking for more engaging ways to deliver their lessons. Students are being encouraged to get creative with tools that match their learning style, which can make the overall learning experience more enjoyable. This continues to drive exponential growth of solutions like tablets in the classroom, alongside their accessories such as rugged keyboard
cases and styluses.
“Additionally, flexible learning is taking students out of the traditional classroom. From private studying spaces at home to smaller seminar rooms to lecture theatres, each of these spaces has different technology requirements. Technology partners must work closely with schools and universities to deliver a consistent, quality experience, whether that’s intelligent video conferencing solutions or high-quality headsets for remote learning.”
Simon Port
“Technology in the classroom changes rapidly and we consistently hear from customers that they want secure solutions, have the longevity to keep up with other classroom technology, and fit easily into their desired ecosystem. These are some of the problems we wanted to solve with the design of ActivPanel LX. Specifically, our move away from an all-in-one device to a modular architecture addresses the needs we hear most from customers purchasing interactive flat panel displays (IFPDs). We understand that compatibility is important to provide continuity of technology use across classrooms where there is a combination of legacy and current implementations.
“Whichever computing environment schools prefer, the ActivPanel LX can be seamlessly integrated using an optional computing device. While this gives schools increased flexibility it also creates a more secure IFPD solution as existing security protocols and authentication methods can be used. Moreover, as no data is stored on the panel, it completely removes any security risk or the need for panel security updates.
“It also extends the useful life of the panel as the external computing device can be upgraded as needed, rather than having to replace the interactive display. As well as being a more sustainable technology strategy, it gives the ActivPanel LX greater longevity at a time when schools need every investment to deliver maximum value in the long term. As operating systems become outdated and unsupported, the ActivPanel LX can be easily upgraded with a new external computing device.”
Petia Maximova
“We’ve seen how easily education and teaching can be interrupted during COVID-19 and I don’t think schools are even 40% of where they need to be in terms of having reliable technology, so I think funding and having adequate technology are the big things. Making sure that every single school has adequate access to technology that enables distance learning is fundamental.
“I think the other topic, which has always been top of mind but with AI I think now it’s even more so, is students’ safety. I think that there is a big focus on being able to make sure that students are safe on any technology that is being used. This will be a big debate for the next year because, although safety measures are in place, there isn’t a real focus on it and I think a lot of companies will be doubling down on it.”
Q. What impact is AI having on Education?
Martin McDermott
“AI is poised to revolutionise education, supporting schools and academies in their mission to personalise the delivery of lessons, and help to create learning materials that suit different needs, abilities and styles, to maximise individual outcomes.
“AI also brings the functionality for large databases to analyse student data, associated with learning, and identifying gaps. By providing an overview of student performance in this way, educational institutions will then be able to flag any areas or subjects in which students need further support or attention.”
Matt Waring
“With the increasing prevalence of hybrid learning, AI is finding its place in the classroom, helping to improve lesson equity and encourage remote students to feel involved and speak up. For example, AI-powered whiteboard cameras can provide remote learners with a clear, real-time view of the whiteboard. The camera’s AI capability can “ghost” the teacher’s hand as they write, so they can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the whiteboard, reducing the risk of an inadequate remote learning experience and giving every student a seat at the front of the class.”
Petia Maximova
“The personalised experience is huge when it comes to AI. There was one opinion that I heard which was that with artificial intelligence we can create much more individualised training, which is a tendency in education as there is a focus on the skill-based economy, practical training, and individualised learning.
“AI opens up ways for students who learn better with visual aids or who don’t understand a particular subject, to custom make these pieces of training using AI. I’m so glad to see this because it’s such a powerful way to further education and we’re adding all these dimensions to help students learn better.”
