Getting children (or adults, for that matter) to look up from their phones and tablets for a single second has become a task of Herculean proportions. We’re constantly online, seeking stimulation via brightly coloured games, snappily edited videos and social media interactions. For the younger kids, it’s episodes of Peppa Pig and slime-making tutorials and, for the teenagers, Snapchat and Instagram still reign supreme, with 75% and 76% respectively of surveyed teens between 13 and 17 using the apps.
 
Lessons present a rare opportunity to make children remove their headphones, look up from their screens and be in the moment. It’s tempting to give them a taste of how previous generations accessed education, before the advent of the internet, let alone smartphones. However, denying the existence of technology and sticking to the traditional blackboard and textbook approach seems anachronistic and a little unenlightened considering the integral role tech and the internet plays in our world.
 
‘Edtech’ is a relatively new concept but one that is rapidly gaining traction. According to The Guardian, ‘Schools now spend £900m on education technology every year, and it is estimated the global market will be worth £129bn by 2020.’  This sector is one of the fastest growing tech markets in the UK, with more than 1,000 startups cropping up across the country in 2017, and over 200 in London alone. This trend is clearly not going away.
 
So, what does ‘edtech’ entail? It can refer to apps that are designed to spice up the learning process, such as Kahoot!. Described as a ‘free game-based learning platform’, Kahoot! is designed to make what could be considered ‘dry’ subjects fun and engaging for children. As of January 2018, the app had reached 70 million active users every month. There are options for teachers to create their own games and quizzes, or choose from those that already exist on the app. Students take part by playing on their own devices and can earn points and challenge other classes.
 
Another form that ‘edtech’ can take is streamlining processes for teachers. The heavy workload that has become the norm in most schools has discouraged potential new teachers in recent years and seen some quit the profession altogether. Platforms like Firefly Learning help teachers automate some of the slew of paperwork that comes with the job, so they can spend more time actually educating and interacting with students. It can also help with lesson plans and marking online, as well as providing teachers with a space to interact and offer support to one another.
 
Although this sector is clearly growing, schools are rarely early adopters or risk-takers. With their limited resources and the high level of scrutiny from boards and parents, things often have to be tried and tested before schools will invest their hard-won funds. There are opportunities for parents to encourage learning via technology outside of the classroom, but this is obviously on an individual rather than institutional basis.
 
However, a shift does seem to be occurring, albeit slowly and in small increments. The one thing that seems certain is that tech in classrooms remains a tool wielded by teachers. It is in no way a replacement for the enthusiasm, commitment and care that makes educators good at what they do. Instead, it is something that can be used to enhance learning and lighten the admin load. It is also something that will take teachers time to harness and master and, once this is achieved, certainly will have its role to play in the world of education.