If employed effectively, innovative teaching practices can result in high-quality learning. Information Communication Technology (ICT) is an ever-evolving animal and it continually gives birth to new innovations.

At Whizz Education, we have spent the past ten years developing research and compiling data to support the adoption of innovative ICT tools, such as Maths-Whizz, in schools.

With this expertise as a basis, we’ve compiled five top tips for making the most of ICT and encouraging teachers to embrace its potential innovations in school…

1.Promote 21st century educators: Ensure that all teachers have the knowledge, tools and enthusiasm to fully integrate quality learning activities into ICT. This will maximise the impact on a child’s classroom experience and education as a whole.

2. Keep Best Practice Guidelines for all ICT hardware and software: They should not simply just be administrative tools or electronic proxies, but function more as an integrated part of the classroom and the lesson plan.

3. Create a virtuous circle based around ICT and innovative teaching: Remember that teachers who are more engaged with ICT in the classroom show greater use of innovative teaching methods, and teachers inclined towards innovative teaching methods use classroom ICT better.

4. Use ICT to link home and school effectively: ICT can do this by increased communication and transparency, as well as recreating a positive environment. Engaging parents will also increase student motivation and thus raise standards.

5. Positive associations with computers: Children associate positively with computers – they are therefore welcomed as a learning platform. Technology should be embraced and its appeal to students should be considered as positive!