In this blog series, Kevin Robinson explores the various risks to school IT systems and presents practical solutions for minimising them.
Against a backdrop of budget constraints, schools can’t afford to risk overspending on any equipment that doesn’t raise attainment, save time, support teaching and learning or positively impact on engagement.
Investing in new technology can be a risk if it’s not properly planned and implemented. If you don’t have the in-school knowledge to fully leverage the benefits of the technology you’re bringing in, or a clear plan of how it’ll support teaching and learning, it’s likely your shiny new hardware will end up in a store cupboard.
This risk seems relatively obvious, but it’s a surprisingly common one. When schools haven’t taken a methodical approach to implementing technology to support teaching and learning – rather than bringing in the latest devices and trying to shoehorn them into your pedagogy – schools risk paying for things they can’t use or don’t actually need.
From software to interactive whiteboards to gleaming new iPads, we’ve seen thousands of pounds worth of technology effectively go down the drain, because of a lack of pedagogy, leadership, ICT expertise or foresight.
My advice to schools would be that if you think you’ve already made all the cost savings you can – think again.
A full audit of your IT systems and software will help you determine how you can be more efficient, and reveal what you need, and what’s potentially draining your resources.