Samsung Electronics Australia has today released new insights revealing the impact the teacher shortage is having on Australian teachers, and the role that technology can play in overcoming some of the key challenges.
The survey¹ commissioned by Samsung found that, despite barriers to adoption including budget restraints (60 per cent), access to technology (37 per cent) and individual digital confidence or skills (43 per cent), almost half (49 per cent) of teachers agree that technology has the potential to help teaching staff overcome some of the issues raised by the teacher shortage.
Phil Gaut, Senior Director and Head of Display and Memory Solutions Division at Samsung Electronics Australia said the survey results highlight the critical need to future-proof Australia’s education system.
“Educators agree that technology is key to providing productive, accessible and high-quality learning experiences for all students,” Mr Gaut said.
“We see tech as the ultimate enabler of top-tier learning experiences, and our suite of education products are crafted with teachers’ needs in mind, ensuring they address the sectors current challenges and deliver effective solutions to help instil meaningful change to Australian classrooms.”
The impact of the Australian teacher shortage
The data showcases that three quarters (75 per cent) of teachers say they are feeling the impact of the teaching shortage crisis, either directly or indirectly via their employer. Teachers report that they feel overwhelmed or stressed by their workload (71 per cent), are having to take on more responsibilities than usual (61 per cent) and say they are working longer hours on regular tasks (53 per cent).
In fact, 41 per cent of respondents said they are considering leaving their job, or the teaching profession all together, with this feeling highest amongst Queensland educators (48 per cent).
Primary and secondary teachers report experiencing the impacts of the shortage more than university lecturers or specialist educators (43 versus 13 per cent), with teachers in primary or secondary education reporting that they are taking on more responsibilities and working longer hours on regular tasks (52 and 53 per cent) in comparison to tertiary educators (24 per cent).
Technology is part of the solution
The survey found that 71 per cent of teachers agreed the integration of technology within classrooms will improve the quality of learning opportunities they’re able to provide their students. This includes being able to provide students with greater accessibility to educational resources (61 per cent), enhance digital knowledge and expertise (59 per cent), offer future-proofing skills development (59 per cent) and drive higher engagement with lesson content (53 per cent), all of which are essential components toward the future of education.
Interestingly however, the belief that technology can help to offer solutions to issues raised by the teacher shortage in Australia varies amongst age groups, with the youngest teachers (18-24) less likely to agree (23 per cent). This differs to older generations, with 52 per cent of those aged 25-24, 60 per cent of 25–44-year-olds and 51 per cent of teachers aged 55-64 either agreeing that technology can overcome pressures faced.
For many educators, integrating technology in some format is already commonplace in the classroom. Almost three quarters of respondents (72 per cent) turn to tech for lesson content (such as screens or presentations), followed by 64 per cent that use interactive tools, or similar, for student engagement in lessons.
Through increased digitisation, educators are already feeling the benefits technology can have on learning. As outlined in the NSW Department of Education’s Schools Digital Strategy report, digitalisation has freed up time in the teachers’ day allowing more time for one-on-one student support, and greater capacity to be more present in the classroom for effective and engaging teaching.
Teachers frequently find themselves adapting to new environments, moving between classrooms or even schools, requiring technology that is intuitive and easy to learn. By fostering connected learning environments, teachers and students benefit from more consistent experiences, whether this be in-person or remote. Incorporating technology into the curriculum allows for diverse and flexible delivery of educational content, catering to different learning styles and needs, as well as simplifying the admin for teachers so they can focus on the lesson at hand. Inside the classroom, tools including Samsung’s Flip Interactive Display and WAD Interactive eBoard help captivate students with features such as high-resolution screens, powerful speakers, and realistic pen-to-paper writing making the learning experience more engaging and collaborative.
Outside of the classroom is where Samsung’s connected campus vision comes to life, and where there is more scope for institutions to offer connected learning through integrated technology to create seamless and efficient experiences for students, faculty and staff. Through technology such as digital signage and LED displays, campus’ can offer real-time communication, keeping students and the schooling community both onsite and remote informed and connected.
Overcoming barriers to adoption
Samsung’s insights show some of the biggest challenges to integrating technology within schools lies with affordability (60 per cent) and educators’ personal time constraints for learning/upskilling in technology tools (50 per cent).
Regionally, the data shows a lack of proficiency or confidence in technology is one of the biggest barriers facing Victorian educators (45 per cent), compared to Queensland (41 per cent) and New South Wales (38 per cent).
However, a connected campus supports a modern vision of teaching and learning, offering opportunities for students and teachers to upskill their digital literacy. Samsung’s ed-tech solutions focus on making education accessible and inclusive, with easy to use tools including the Flip Interactive Display and WAD Interactive eBoard cater to all types of teaching styles, as well as taking into considerations students diverse needs and learning styles, ensuring all have the opportunity to succeed.
Samsung Electronics Australia believes that the role of technology in the classroom is to supplement teachers and future-proof education, offering them the tools to automate, create and optimise their daily professions, enabling them to free up their time to focus on teaching itself. Interactive technologies not only have the potential to streamline efficiencies but also foster collaboration, engagement and accessibility across the education ecosystem, benefiting teachers, students and institutions.
To find out more about Samsung’s Pro Display education suite solutions and interactive devices including the Flip Pro and WAD eBoards, visit: https://www.samsung.com/au/business/mobile-solutions/education/.
- Samsung teacher shortage survey, conducted by PureProfile Research in July 2024. Nationally representative of Australian teaching staff 18+, n = 509
