Why should edtech be the new ‘teacher’s pet’?

By Patrick McGrath, edtech strategist at Texthelp

There are both positives and negatives associated with the explosion of technology, but it’s hard to argue the benefits it’s given to diverse learners. We now have the supportive tools available for students who require extra reading or writing assistance, or those with English as an additional language, not to mention the ability to personalise the learning experience so every student can learn in a way that’s best for them.

Today’s educators recognise the value of EdTech when it comes to students who require additional support, and as its usage grows, its value for the wider student body is being realised more and more. We know that edtech tools are necessary for some, but we also believe they’re useful for all. Every student perceives, comprehends and expresses knowledge in their own unique way, and that means that their educational journey should be adaptive. Edtech tools differentiate learning, supporting students to study independently with confidence, and that goes a long way – with confidence comes empowerment and motivation to succeed. 

Supportive software like Read&Write from Texthelp includes features like text-to-speech, translation, audio and pictorial dictionaries, text prediction, grammar and punctuation checkers and smart highlighters to help students with independent study and revision, whilst EquatIO makes maths digitally accessible, allowing students to explore and express maths concepts creatively. With a vast number of features available, students naturally begin to tune in more to their strengths, how they learn best, and what features help them to engage with learning most effectively. They naturally become curious, reflective and autonomous in their learning, intuitively checking their own understanding without waiting for teacher explanation. This is hugely beneficial for them as they move through life, and hugely beneficial for educators too.

Nobody complains in the workplace because you’ve Googled a fact for your presentation. And by now we should be over the idea that tech in the classroom is some kind of ‘cheat’. We’ve still got a long way to go… but let’s not forget how far we’ve come – Jason Caroll, global product manager, Texthelp 

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the normal day-to-day of an educator involves being pulled in 20-plus directions, as they balance their time between their students, not to mention the list of to-dos which circle structured teaching time. Nor is it an exaggeration to say that technology can be transformational, especially when it’s in the hands of an enthused educator. Edtech tools create the environment that educators strive for, one where every student unanimously feels supported and is given their best chance at succeeding. They also equip busy teachers to maintain their workload healthily. Since students have the support they need to access materials effectively, educators are able to focus their time delivering a richer learning experience. 

Not only that but features like Vocabulary List and Audiomaker from Read&Write allow differentiation of materials with the touch of a button, whilst Voice Notes enable direct verbal feedback, from within a student’s assignment. Interactive spaces like EquatIO Mathspace provide a platform to create and share resources quickly and easily. Taking things a step further, software such as WriQ frees up time by automating the marking process, assessing students’ writing for grammar, punctuation and spelling errors, in addition to metrics including text maturity, sentence length and writing pace. Still maintaining the value of meaningful feedback, teachers are able to review and add their own comments, before sending back to the student.

It’s clear to see that working together, technology and humans make the perfect pair, synchronising to bring out the best in each other. Easy to implement, students can have a tailored education from nursery to university and beyond, and educators can feel refreshed knowing that their teaching strategies are truly inclusive and meaningful.


If you would like to know more about the software available from Texthelp, visit: https://text.help/et-sep