20 | ROUNDTABLE: A SUCCESS FOR EDTECH? | PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
“It goes against the grain (and popular perception) to say this, but the UK is actually a world leader in many aspects of edtech and online/ blended learning”
MOOC adoption has grown massively during 2014, do you think this type of learning is now more widely accepted as an educational tool?
Shaun Eason: We use MOOC at All Saints for the teaching of certain parts of the ICT syllabus. It's proven great for differentiation and some students use it on their own initiative at home. It is more widely accepted as an educational tool. Just look at the exam boards which are using this technology now as a resource for course delivery. It’s an alternative, an extra resource. You’d be mad not to use it, but it cannot replace the standard classroom teaching.
James Penny: MOOCs are making an impact in further and higher education. The recent FELTAG report from the government is aiming to get at 10% of all learning content in FE online. This will push ahead the adoption of digital content and MOOCs will play a part.
Jon Silvera: Anything that helps to simplify the selection of course material has to be a good thing. At the same time, being presented by such a varied and comprehensive selection in any one field of interest is a great way to inspire and maximise self-enrichment and improvement.
Shaun Wilkinson: Without doubt MOOCs have immense potential and utilise modern technology very well. They are becoming increasingly acceptable as educational tools but, just as with virtual learning environments, MOOC teaching is only as good as
the tutors behind the course and the community of learners involved. If tutors are well motivated, lead the course well and manage to stimulate learners, the technology is there to allow MOOCs to flourish. The flexibility will no doubt appeal too.
Has the UK kept up with the rest of the world on 2014’s developments? Are there any key nations out in front?
George Burgess: Not at all. The US is much further ahead – just look at where all those MOOC companies are based! Many countries in Asia and the Middle East are also beginning to leapfrog the UK by handing all their students tablets and forcing publishing companies to digitise their content. But the fact that the UK is (only slightly) behind, is not necessarily a bad thing. The countries who are leapfrogging tend to be smaller, where the government has an easier time intervening. Trying to pull off similar policies in the UK would almost undoubtedly end badly – we’re beter used to slow, measured change, rather than quick, overnight alterations – and I think that approach can actually benefit us in the long run. Being a litle further back provides the benefit of being able to learn from others' mistakes.
Martin Hamilton: It goes against the grain (and popular perception) to say this, but the UK is actually a world leader in many aspects of edtech and online/ blended learning. As an assessor for the Technology Strategy Board’s recent Learning Technologies R&D funding call, I have seen some brilliant ideas originating from UK firms, tapping into the vast
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