For many teachers, Term 4 is akin to the last, gruelling stretch of a marathon, where both educators and students muster their remaining energy and determination, pushing towards the finish line with a blend of exhaustion and exhilaration.
Whether it’s preparing final assessments and end-of-year reports, additional responsibilities from end-of-year events like graduation ceremonies and extracurricular activities or familiarising themselves with curriculum changes heading into the new year, there’s no question that stress levels are high, and teachers will be breathing a sigh of relief once 2023 is done and dusted.
Indeed, efforts are being made at a state, territory, and federal level to reduce teacher workloads heading into 2024. Action 12 of the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan aims to “pilot new approaches to reduce teacher workload … and maximise the value of a teacher's time” – a move that was widely welcomed by schools across Australia.
Recognising that the crystallisation of this initiative is likely to take time, education service providers have been helping schools leverage assistive technologies to streamline their workloads and free up more time for busy teachers to do what they do best – teach.
In Term 1, 2023, Education Perfect updated its content library with new resources for schools to help them pivot quickly and ensure prompt and reliable support for teachers who are navigating changes to version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum.
The update of the EP content library to reflect the new curriculum alignment for teachers provides a deeper understanding of what is required to ensure teachers can access the adapted resources as quickly as possible.
Kelly Hollis, the Australian Curriculum Specialist at Education Perfect, has been championing the cause of enabling teachers to leverage technological tools not just as flashy add-ons, but as integral components that enrich the learning experience.
“Edtech offers several solutions to help teachers optimise their teaching time, more easily differentiate their classroom and ultimately enhance student outcomes,” Hollis told The Educator.
“Automated assessment and grading for quizzes, assignments and tests give teachers the time and insights they need to easily identify individual student needs, and focus on providing targeted feedback and teaching strategies based on assessment data.”
Hollis noted that while edtech saves time, its real value lies in empowering teachers to utilise their time more effectively and productively.
“Edtech data analytics provide insights into individual student progress and learning styles, enabling teachers to tailor their instruction and improve overall learning outcomes,” she said.
“It also provides opportunities for professional development, facilitates better communication and parental involvement and includes various engagement tools that can make learning more interactive and enjoyable for students.”
Looking towards 2024, Hollis said Education Perfect will continue to support educators in managing their workloads and optimising their teaching time.
“Our learning, assessment and analytics platform is aligned with the latest curricula, streamlining lesson planning and providing teachers with the time, content and data they need to apply effective personalised learning strategies,” she said.
“Automated assessment and feedback tools reduce grading time and facilitate timely feedback to students, while detailed data analytics provide accessible and detailed insights for targeted interventions.”
Hollis said Education Perfect is also committed to providing ongoing professional development opportunities and integrating more interactive and gamified elements within its platform to boost student engagement.
“Our integration with various learning management systems will provide seamless access to resources and data, making it easier for teachers to manage their workload.”