Alexandra Uifalean
December 2nd, 2019
How can we help teachers simplify their processes and create better learning outcomes?
According to David Warlick, "We need technology in every classroom and in every student and teacher's hand, because it is the pen and paper of our time, and it is the lens through which we experience much of our world."
In today’s multi-platform world, ERP software uses robust technology that works seamlessly to deliver long-term value. It’s a proven tool that improves school operations, contributing to the success of students as well as the entire educational institution.
In this article we go over the most common challenges teachers face
Being an educator is no easy job—teachers all around the world deal with similar challenges which make them feel helpless. We made a list and pinpointed the most common ones.
Classcraft asked their audience in a social media post about their day-to-day problems. They compiled a list of the top issues that kept coming up again and again. What came up is teachers feel overwhelmed by their roles—which is one of the reasons why nearly 50% of graduate teachers leave the profession within five years.
“Social worker, educator, and counselor represent only a few of the hats that teachers are expected to wear throughout the day. To help their students, they feel compelled to adopt these roles even though they don’t have the proper training. They still do it, though, because they care.”
A survey from the Hillsborough high school reveals teachers are constantly in a hurry, which can negatively impact students. “Two-thirds of the teachers said they have less time for students outside class. Most stay later and arrive earlier to get their work done. Almost half thought the quality of their instruction had eroded.”
Research shows more than 90% of teachers report using data to understand how their students are progressing. The results also revealed that half of the teachers responding don’t have enough time during the school day to dig into the data. Unfortunately, “teachers face barriers to using data in the classroom, including a lack of time and training to put data to work for students,” the study concludes.
If you ask us, it’s time for schools to take action.
“Some believe that public education in the United States is broken, which often drives schools to look at ways to reform, sometimes too rapidly,” points out Thought&Co.
Teachers are pressured to adopt the latest trends, tools, curriculum, and best practices. “However, these constant changes can lead to inconsistency and frustration, making teachers' lives more difficult. Adequate training isn't always made available, and many teachers are left to fend for themselves to figure out how to implement whatever has been adopted.”
On average, teachers work about 11 hours and 25 minutes a day, according to research from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Here’s how a middle school teacher sums up her teaching experience: “I could teach 24 hours a day and still not get everything done.”
The problem is a lot of teacher time is taken up by paperwork. “I have too much paperwork and not enough time to spend with my students,” points out an elementary school teacher.
Medium writer Matthew Thornton is right: “teachers spend too much time on activities that have little educational impact.” He’s talking about activities such as supervision, discipline, emails, grading papers and other paperwork. “What teachers should be doing is preparing lessons that will have a direct positive impact on student learning. Unfortunately, teachers only spend 30 minutes a day preparing to teach,” he adds.
Technology plays a significant role here. “We need to make sure schools have what they need to modernize so teachers can spend time on activities that have a strong direct impact on student learning,” says Matthew.
Schools should continuously look for the best tools to educate children. At the same time, they mustn’t neglect teacher needs. A lack of job satisfaction leads to teacher turnover, which is linked to low student achievement.
To make things better, schools should give educators voice and ownership to craft their teaching. This is where the ERP software comes in—a versatile learning tool changing the way educators teach, assign projects and assess progress. Here are the top three ways in which it can empower educators.
ERP software offers schools new opportunities to transform education. According to The Chronicle of Education, educators need to answer the following questions:
ERP Software gives educators more autonomy and decision power. Phi Delta Kappan points out that “teachers who call the shots make decisions that emulate the cultural characteristics associated with high-performing organizations.” According to them, “When teachers have collective autonomy to make the decisions influencing school success, they create cultures where they:
The way schools use data can empower them “to personalize learning, enhance accountability and transparency, and inspire student success by pinpointing effective teaching strategies and interventions. Having access to accurate, actionable education data helps educators better manage learning environments.”
A fully functional school ERP software helps teachers analyze and interpret data so they can overcome challenges related to student success and academic achievement. It’s an efficient way to understand if students are encountering blocks in their learning process. Eventually, it can “increase operational efficiency and assist educators with quantitative input to better measure classroom success.”
There’s always been an active link between schools and parents. Research shows that parents who make education a high priority and stay consistently involved contribute to their kids’ academic success.
Likewise, “it can be incredibly frustrating for a teacher when parents don’t support their efforts to educate children. [...] While many of the best teachers go above and beyond to make up for lack of parental support, a total team effort from the teachers, parents, and students is the ideal approach.” Thanks to ERP systems, parents and teachers can communicate effectively, making sure their child is on the right track.
Teachers all around the world struggle with challenges of mundane tasks, such as creating timetables, making reports, grading tests, etc. They learned to be multitaskers, juggling a lot of roles and usually having a long to-do list.
A robust ERP software keeps teachers organized and frees up their time, enabling them to focus on what they love most: teaching. Teach ’n Go features empower educators by helping them streamline school-related processes. Here’s what we mean:
Teachers need the right tools to do their job. The key is to integrate technology into their daily teaching practices effectively. Schools using ERP software to tune in classroom decisions with learning objectives are helping educators understand their environment and design rigorous programs. In the process, they’re also developing a dedicated team of empowered professionals prepared to help students shine.
So what’s the situation in your school?
If you’re ready to evaluate the level of teacher empowerment in your school, consider the following reflective questions:
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