24 Jan 2025

Exploring EdTech: How AV technology impacts modern education

From interactive boards in classrooms to fully online learning solutions established during the global pandemic, AV technology has significantly influenced modern education. It has paved the way for the evolution of blended learning, which we see in today’s educational landscape.

Use of AV in primary education

A 2024 OnePoll survey of 2,000 British adults found that the average attention span is 17 minutes and 10 seconds. So, how can we expect primary school students remain focused for 50-minute lessons when we, as adults, would struggle to do the same?

Introducing interactivity and immersive experiences into learning can significantly improve lesson outcomes, particularly for digital native generations Gen Z and Gen Alpha. One major trend is gamification, which incorporates game-like elements into teaching. Utilising interactive smartboards to play educational games increases motivation and participation among the whole class, making learning enjoyable.

Using augmented reality (AR) in teaching makes learning more engaging. It blurs the line between real life and the digital world.

Simon Pile, Deputy Headteacher at Anson Primary School, explained how AR brought history to life for his students.

Using iPads and AR applications, “the ruins of a Roman Villa appeared before them. They moved around the ruin, exploring the walkways, ducking through doorways, and finding artefacts. When it came to writing about Rome, this experience gave them something to write about. Learning was no longer abstract, but real, lived, in their memory.”

Additional needs and neurodiversity

The pursuit of full accessibility and inclusivity is a prominent topic in discussions about education. AV innovations have begun to bridge the gap between traditional schooling and the needs of learners with additional requirements. Tablets, interactive displays, screen readers and voice recognition software can be key to reaching learners with ADHD by improving functional capabilities and promoting greater independence.

Installing a high-quality sound system in classrooms can also be crucial for effective learning. When students can hear clearly - they are more likely to understand and retain information. Delivering instructions directly to a hearing-impaired student's hearing aid or utilising wireless speakers can transform a student's experience from frustration to active engagement.

According to the Childcare Education Institute, playing music through an audio system in classrooms enhances cognition, learning and memory, which subsequently boosts academic performance.

Beyond the lecture: AV in higher education

In a push to modernise beyond interactive displays, universities are installing more AV technology to provide learning materials suitable for all. Research shows that 65% of the population are visual learners, and 83% of people prefer watching videos to access instructional content.

Lecture capture technology represents a significant advancement in making educational content accessible and easier to review. It allows students to revisit lectures to catch up on missed classes or deepen their understanding of the material.

Pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras, intelligent wireless microphones and speakers set into walls and ceilings work harmoniously to create high-quality video for students to access after the lecture. This approach helps create environments where every student can thrive, using tools to add captions or use a screen reader when accessing recorded lectures online.

AV video conferencing tools, including cameras, video bars, and audio tracking systems, link students in virtual classroom environments, establishing a hybrid model that is now standard in professional settings.

UK universities

Across major UK universities, audiovisual solutions and equipment have been made available for students to loan. The University of Sheffield offers a myriad of AV products for its students to use in their studies, including projectors and display screens, PA systems, wireless microphones and Turning Point voting. The University of Oxford AV special interest group and University of Cambridge AV Services team provide on-campus support with AV setups, lecture capture and future AV projects.

In 2023, the University of Hertfordshire undertook a large-scale AV project partnering with GVAV, Hewshott, Sharp/NEC PSCo to design, provide and integrate new LED displays. Incorporating LED technology throughout different sections of the campus will benefit both students and faculty in the future, supporting the university's long-term plan for contemporary educational methods.

Transforming the school space

Outside of classroom engagement, AV solutions such as projectors and public address (PA) systems can enhance the use of hall spaces for concerts, assemblies and exams. Digital signage and interactive displays serve various purposes, such as displaying menus, providing signs and ordering in school canteens. Additionally, universities use this technology for wayfinding around campus and making announcements.

Pro AV document solutions with encryption options help safeguard student data during document creation. They can also provide staff with varied media handling options to create colourful and engaging educational materials. Other EdTech AV solutions for schools and colleges include digital sign-in options, video conferencing for staff meetings and training days as well as Cloud-based learning management systems.

2025 trends and beyond

AI is an inescapable and rapidly growing technology shaping the world of AV and filtering into the education sector. Online learning platforms will incorporate more interactive elements, such as virtual labs, simulations and collaborative projects, to promote a deeper understanding of topics and improve knowledge retention.

We expect to see personalisation in student learning journeys, moving away from the one-size-fits-all approach and striving to align more with how each individual learns. Classroom restructuring, encouraging smaller group activities and collaborative learning, is likely with the rise of immersive tech.

David Game College in London opened the flagship Sabrewing Programme in September 2024 – an innovative, teacherless GCSE course that uses AI-driven adaptive learning platforms. The AI tailors a customised educational path for each student, allowing them to manage their pace and access extra resources when necessary - providing autonomy to learners that would be impossible in traditional schooling.

This aligns with the 2025 UNESCO theme for the International Day of Education: 'preserving human agency in a world of automation’.

In summary

AV technology has significantly impacted the education sector. There is now more education technology in schools, improved accessibility and increased flexibility in educational setups. However, educators face challenges due to availability of training, equipment and relevant resources, which must keep pace with advancements in new AV technology. To fully benefit from all that EdTech can offer, dedicated funding and support for the education sector are essential.

For further information about AV technology for education and our range of professional AV products, check out the Midwich Education Hub or contact the Midwich education team here.