This year our popular research safari presents a tried-and-tested portfolio of online and hybrid educational technology tips and tools evaluated by international teacher education trainees.
Teachers have turned to technology to support their teaching in the wake of Covid-19. Research carried out with trainees on an international teacher education programme in early 2021, explored the ‘new normal’ – the hybrid situation where teaching needed to be able to continue when pupils and teachers may be in school or at home. Surviving and thriving in this challenging educational landscape meant trying out new approaches and tools as well as repurposing older ones to maintain a focus on learning. In many cases, trainees were able to apply an action research methodology to formalise their efforts and reflect on the lessons learned. This BETT safari will start with an overview of the types of technologies and software reported to have been useful pedagogically before plotting a thematic route through a selection of hardware and software available at the BETT show. Highlights include the creative use of video-conferencing functionality, such as ‘waterfall chat’, interactive student engagement software, and even the compact mirror hack to allow one teacher to help her early writers continue handwriting lessons online.
