Singapore trends in using edtech for adult education

A study has found that adult educators have learned how to deliver online lesson content more effectively with the help of modern online teaching and learning tools (edtech).

The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and the Institute of Adult Learning (IAL) recently conducted a survey among 139 adult educators focusing on edtech to find out how they can develop best practices for planning future lessons and training initiatives.

Some of the findings include the top tools used by instructors (Zoom, YouTube and Canvas), and the challenges adult educators face, including the inadequate awareness of appropriate tools, limited budgets and the extra time needed to incorporate such tools into lessons.

Research highlights include:

Using edtech in online lessons

The majority of IAL instructors (84%) were motivated to adopt edtech to convey information more effectively during lessons.

- Roughly one in three (31%) of IAL instructors agree that online lessons can just as effectively deliver positive learning outcomes as face-to-face sessions, while 29% of instructors were neutral. 

- Almost half (49%) of IAL instructors preferred a blended approach, with a hybrid arrangement of face-to-face and online lessons. 

- On the preferred online content delivery approach, the majority of IAL instructors (45%) preferred facilitating lessons using a mix of self-learning interactions through group discussions, peer sharing, and role plays. Only 12% preferred lecturing online. 

The top three barriers to using edtech include:

- A lack of resources and funding (49%), 

- A lack of technical support (47%), and 

- The lack of knowledge of suitable edtech tools and their uses (37%).

Edtech tools

IAL instructors use a wide range of edtech tools:

- Zoom, a conferencing and collaboration tool, for conducting group discussions

- Canvas, a learning management system, and YouTube , for delivering/supplementing lesson content

- Kahoot!, a game-based learning platform, for assessing students’ comprehension of concepts taught and promoting their active participation

- Mentimeter, interactive presentation software for promoting learner engagement, testing the students’ understanding of concepts

- Nearpod, a learning management system emphasising student understanding that is used for multiple reasons, such as encouraging participation, peer sharing, and driving the motivation to learn

- Other tools that are used included Padlet, described as a digital notice board, and Quizizz, a learning management platform that champions engagement.

- Google tools, especially digital whiteboard Jamboard are also deployed.

The research found that Zoom and Canvas are used mostly to facilitate group discussions and deliver online lesson content respectively. But very few instructors used them to influence learning motivation through gamification, and those who did, did not find them useful for boosting students’ motivation to learn.

Improving learning outcomes

More than half (53%) of IAL instructors observed that students may not be familiar with the technology for online lessons. To deliver online lessons effectively, 67% of IAL instructors see the need to redesign their lessons significantly, such as by adding learning material or activities.

- Over four in 10 (41%) IAL instructors perceived their personal effectiveness at delivering online lessons as less effective than with physical lessons.

- Some of the adjustments made by IAL educators to ensure effective learning outcomes from online lessons include more detailed planning for the online lesson (84%), closer monitoring of learners’ progress, more frequent checks on understanding (73%), and more preparation in setting up lessons, testing connectivity, equipment, and software (71%).

Dr Justina Tan, Director of Learning Professional & Development Division, IAL said: "Technology-enabled learning has accelerated rapidly in recent years and is now recognised as a core medium to achieve learning objectives. As a result, it is also imperative to assess not just the effectiveness of the technological tools employed, but also the attitudes and behaviours of adult educators toward them.

"The Institute for Adult Learning's survey on edtech tools seeks to uncover how adult educators can better leverage existing tools to optimise training delivery, engage students and encourage meaningful participation in online learning. Results show that IAL's adult educators are embracing edtech solutions by learning about the latest tools and finding ways to effectively deliver online lessons that remain as engaging and interactive as in-person sessions.

"In understanding adult educator experience and preferences with regard to tech-enabled learning, IAL remains an advocate for learning innovation and can continue to support adult educators and the wider training and adult education sector by curating solutions that ensure a holistic, effective learning environment for all learning designers, facilitators, and training providers.”