There’s no question about it. Teacher workload is an issue that has been apparent for some time.
However, almost three-quarters of teachers say their workload has increased in this first term and more than half say they now go without regular breaks.
That’s according to a survey by the NASUWT teaching union, which says workload has been “exacerbated” by expectations on teachers to develop remote learning in the wake of Covid-19 – as more and more students are sent home and colleagues fall ill or self-isolate.
Many factors contribute to high teacher workload - accountability pressures, behaviour and safeguarding, and admin burdens all play their part. And fixing it isn’t simple. But there are ways technology could help reduce some of the burdens on teachers and leaders.
Hear what the experts think
We invited a panel of leading educators from across the UK to join us for an online roundtable discussion, exploring ways that we can tackle aspects of the teacher workload challenge. During the session, the panel discussed:
- Marking and feedback
- Data management
- Curriculum Planning and resources
As we explored each of these areas, we also delved into first hand experience and industry level advice from our panel. With actionable advice on how you can use technology to help reduce teacher workload and give them more time to do their job (within their contracted hours).
Meet the panel
Mark Anderson,
ICT Evangelist
Mark is a former teacher and school leader and the man behind the hugely popular @ICT Evangelist blog and Twitter account. Mark’s ICT Evangelist blog has won numerous awards including the UK Education Blog of the year award and his passion for EdTech has led him to where he now works with schools around the world supporting them with teaching, learning and technology whilst also being a popular keynote speaker at events around the world.
Dr Chris Wilson,
Associate Consultant at Impact ED
With a PhD in thirteenth-century ecclesiastical history, Chris is a consultant who supports charities and social enterprises to design strategies for impact, financial sustainability and growth. He recently stepped down as CEO of The Brilliant Club, an award-winning education charity which mobilises PhD students and graduates to support the progression of underrepresented pupils to university. Where he rolled out the charity’s provision to around 850 schools across the UK and saw the organisation listed as the second best non-profit to work for in the country.
Patrick McGrath,
Educational Technology Strategist at Texthelp
Patrick is the resident Education Technology Strategist at Texthelp. Whilst focusing on how technology can make a real and meaningful impact on teaching and learning for all, Patrick has a particular interest in inclusion and equity for all. Most of all though, he loves to support teachers and leaders with the knowledge and skills around tech tools that are transformative yet easy to use.
Dan Fitzpatrick,
Edu Futurists
Dan is a certified Google Trainer, Microsoft Innovative Educator and an Apple Teacher, with an M.A. from Durham University. He works as an Associate Assistant Headteacher at a secondary school in the north east of England and is Director at Edufuturists. Over the last few years Dan has led training on cloud technology in education and industry. He has a background in leadership, media, stand-up comedy and school governance.
Kat Howard,
Senior Leader at The Duston School & Founder of LitDrive
Kat Howard is a Senior Leader in an all-through school in Northamptonshire, overseeing staff professional development and strategic oversight for English. An English specialist, Kat has worked with leading providers such as the NCTL, Oak National, the BBC, and is Founder of Litdrive, an English subject community for teachers. Author/co-author of the #1 bestsellers
'Stop Talking About Wellbeing'
and
'Symbiosis: The Curriculum and The Classroom'
, Kat speaks and writes about the integral link between teacher purpose and the quality of the curriculum and professional development in schools. You can find her at
@saysmiss
on Twitter and she blogs at
saysmiss.wordpress.com
Bukky Yusuf,
Senior Leader
Bukky Yusuf is a senior leader and teaches secondary sciences to A level. She has undertaken a number of leadership roles within mainstream / special schools and is also an ambassador for Leadership Matters. Furthermore, Bukky is a Network Leader and coach for WomenEd & BAMEEd. Beyond the classroom, Bukky has a variety of Ed(ucation) Tech(nology) experiences which includes participating as a judge for The EdTech50 Schools and serving as an Education Board Member for Innovate My School.' She has recently been appointed as an interim co-chair of the EdTech Leadership Group to support the Government's EdTech strategy.
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