The report, EdTech: Supercharging Careers in Accountancy, follows a survey conducted by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and edX, a Harvard and MIT-created course provider in the U.S. The roughly 1,400 who participated — 977 learners and 434 educators — largely said that ed-tech tools that can adapt to their lifestyles are the most valuable assets, according to a news release issued earlier this month.
Basically, if it’s portable, it’s being used. According to those surveyed, laptops and mobile devices — namely, smartphones — had a supermajority when asked which devices they use for learning, at 88 percent and 72 percent, respectively. Desktops (52 percent), tablets (44 percent) and VR headsets (25 percent) were the others, the release said. Laptops were the most-used device for assessments, based on the respondents, at 66 percent, it said.
The release said the findings could change the game for content developers as they work toward developing better designs for learning and assessments that adhere to what students and teachers want. ACCA and edX said in the release that tools can help boost career development if the tools created mold to the individual’s life.
The report suggests taking a blended learning approach. That aligns with the educator responses for how they deliver content through ed-tech tools. The report said 38 percent of teachers deliver the blended — in person and online — approach; 31 percent are strictly online for on-demand and catching up; another 20 percent use the tools for live online coursework; and only 10 percent said they use the tools strictly for in-person learning.
Some of the tools used for learning, according to the report, include digital books, with 91 percent of respondents saying they use the device, accounting software (89 percent), communications tools such as messaging services or discussion boards (87 percent) and collaborative tools such as digital whiteboards (85 percent), among others.
The report also highlighted more ed-tech trends, with the top one citing how content providers and educators are offering students more “bite-size” videos for learning, meaning anywhere from five to 15 minutes in length. Other notable trends cited in the report included the addition of integrated learning, the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, micro-credentialing, the use of gaming and simulation to engage learners and AR/VR to develop soft skills.
Despite all the positives ed tech can bring, the report also highlighted how the digital divide could negatively impact the trajectory of the use of these tools. ACCA and edX said in the release that policy changes could lead to an increase in engagement.
“We see increasing numbers of our Approved Learning Partners utilizing AI and algorithms to better support students and their learning outcomes,” ACCA North America head Jillian Couse said in the statement. “These examples have already shown us the power of technology, and we remain excited about the possibilities for the future in this fast-evolving space."
