ɫèAV

Recently there’s been a wave of schools hitting the headlines for their decisions around technology.

Policymakers for Flemish schools have to every primary school student, and instead to focus on pen and paper writing. Some schools in Scotland have introduced , and schools in Madrid are set to implement for screentime.

There’s no denying that technology has a place in education, but through these choices, schools are emphasising that traditional methods also have value. Rather than eradicating tech completely in a kneejerk reaction, these schools are working out how to moderate screentime and maximise learning – it’s called purposeful integration.

By using digital learning in tandem with traditional teaching, schools can better prepare students for a multifaceted world. Here’s how.

The value of traditional methods

Traditional methods of teaching include face-to-face instruction, hands-on activities, and classroom interactions. These tend to be offline tasks that emphasise interpersonal skills, communication, and physical contact with materials.

Because traditional methods help keep the location, time, and pace of , they can positively influence students’ organisation, time management, and social skills. Plus, students get more familiar with the settings where they will likely take important exams.

On the social side, students see and converse with the same group of people every day, and learn how to relate to their peers, communicate effectively and work in groups. Traditional teaching is essentially a microcosm for the world, where students learn to exist, share, and problem-solve with others.

At the same time, teachers can evaluate students’ strengths and weaknesses more acutely, as they can see body language and other behaviours that inform them about individuals’ confidence and understanding in real time.

During the remote learning shift in the pandemic, that students preferred in-person teaching and reported higher engagement, learning, and understanding from traditional classroom teaching.

The role of digital tools in modern classrooms

Digital learning ranges from interactive platforms, virtual reality headsets, and gamification tools. It requires equipment like tablets, laptops, and smart devices, which can allow students to learn independently and at their own pace.

Digital learning fuels students’ digital literacy skills, helping them navigate online functionality and content with greater ease. These skills have repeatedly to be necessary for students in the future of work.

Perhaps the biggest strength of digital learning is its flexible, tailored learning pathways. Students get unique feedback on their progress, and some tools even adapt how content is delivered according to students’ needs. That means that more students can access more resources, and still receive guidance along the way.

The majority of schools incorporate digital learning in some form into their curriculum, while many have . According to a from 2023, 55% of primary schools in the UK have a specific digital strategy in place.

Traditional and digital, together

Educators don’t need to choose between traditional and digital learning – instead, you can combine them to enhance student learning and set healthy tech boundaries. This type of teaching approach allows you to draw on the advantages of both traditional and digital learning.

For example, in a literacy class could involve physical books and digital devices like tablets. Printed texts can facilitate deep reading and concentration, while reading on tablets lets students explore audio narration, built-in dictionaries, and interactive annotations.

The mix of the two also caters to more students with diverse learning styles and needs. For instance, a student with visual impairments may prefer physical books, while a student with ADHD may prefer a tablet.

Similarly, in a science class, you may conduct hands-on experiments with students and use digital platforms to simulate what would happen if the conditions were different. Not only does this blending engage students, it sparks deeper curiosity because they can safely witness experiments that can’t be done in the class.

Other advantages of integrating traditional and digital learning include:

• Students have access to a wider variety of learning materials
• Students build essential digital skills
• Students can identify content/modes that best resonate with their learning style
• Educators can align traditional/digital learning according to students’ preferences
• Educators stay up-to-date and versed in new technology
• Lessons are more unique and varied

Digital learning tools from ɫèAV

ɫèAV International Schools has a selection of digital learning tools that can help you carry out more comprehensive learning in your classroom.

Bug Club

Bug Club is a reading programme for students aged 4-11. With Bug Club, students learn to read with printed books and reading packs, alongside a digital platform with ebooks, phonics support, quizzes, games, and rewards.

Young students use Bug Club to access a huge range of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, to nurture their love of reading. They can feel a real sense of achievement as they move through physical and digital content, and get familiar with navigating and understanding narratives in both spaces.

Educators and parents can track students’ reading progress in real time, and easily highlight where students need assistance. Meanwhile, students have a fun, mixed way of learning to read!

ɫèAV International Primary Science

ɫèAV International Primary Science is an interactive science course designed for students aged 5-11. The course features traditional and digital content, encouraging students to ask questions, make hypotheses, and investigate!

Through the course, students can participate in virtual labs, view animated videos, and complete quizzes. They also complete a workbook as they move through the material, and are guided by online mascots to ensure they have support. The content is curated to be inquiry-led, meaning that students use real-world examples to understand scientific principles and concepts, and to fuel their scientific thinking.

Teachers have their own support too with ɫèAV International Primary Science, via resources like adaptable lesson plans and comprehensive professional development tools.

Download samples of ɫèAV International Primary Science

Mixed learning is standard learning!

Digital learning isn’t about replacing traditional methods, but enriching them. A mixed strategy fosters a more inclusive and interesting learning space, and gets students ready for the physical and digital worlds that they will be part of in the future.

Further reading

Want to know more about healthy digital learning? Read Should schools avoid screentime for kids?, Does handwriting still serve a purpose in today’s schools?, and Student safeguarding: How to teach cybersafety.

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