Digital tools are already saving schools valuable time

Across the UK, schools and trusts are relying more heavily on digital tools to manage learning, teaching and administration. From scheduling and lesson planning to research and revision, technology is helping students and staff use their time more effectively. Cloud-based platforms, virtual classrooms and AI-assisted tools are changing how tasks are approached and how long they take to complete.

Indeed, in Computeam’s State of Education report, which surveyed hundreds of secondary school students, the vast majority reported saving time through the use of technology – in some cases, over five hours each week.

Clearly, for students, there are tangible time-saving gains to be made through the smart implementation of technology, but the results come with some obvious caveats.

Saving time is only useful if it improves the learning experience. While students now have rapid access to information, that alone doesn't guarantee better understanding. If tasks are still based on memorisation or basic recall, the value of EdTech is limited.

This is where schools can go further. Digital tools allow students to research, analyse and collaborate in real time. Teachers can move beyond surface-level questions and instead set work that challenges students to apply knowledge, interpret results or evaluate ideas. Staff training is key to making those time savings count.

Students working on computers in a classroom with a pink wall background.

Automation and simplification reduce admin pressure

Well-implemented systems can take pressure off staff workloads

One of the most noticeable gains comes from removing repetitive or manual tasks. Many schools now use managed cloud environments where staff can store, access and collaborate on documents in one place. This cuts back on duplication and speeds up communication between teams.

Meanwhile, leveraging automation tools can significantly reduce the time taken to complete routine administrative tasks. The effective use of automated systems allows staff to accomplish more – in less time – accurately and promptly. This is critical when supporting safeguarding procedures. For instance, automated workflows can streamline the process of monitoring vulnerable pupils’ absences, ensuring they are addressed in a timely manner.

Similarly, automation can enhance coordination between departments during recruitment, helping to move candidates through the process more efficiently and with greater consistency.

Computeam’s managed services give schools access to tools that simplify daily operations. By integrating platforms like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, and providing secure access across devices, schools are reducing the need for multiple logins, scattered files or fragmented systems.

A Learning Locker staff training session is taking place around laptops in a meeting room.

Staff training for the effective use of digital tools

Technology only helps if staff know how to use it correctly

Not all staff feel confident using digital tools. In fact, according to a 2024 report from the Digital Poverty Alliance, only 1 in 5 educators in the UK (17%) have received training on digital tools and edtech advances. So, while a platform might offer all the features needed to save hours of work, if teachers aren’t shown how to use it properly, those benefits remain worryingly out of reach.

Computeam’s training programmes are designed to close that knowledge and experience gap. Through Digital Transformation consultancy and Learning Locker – a flexible, self-paced learning platform – schools can ensure that staff are using the right tools and using them effectively. With clear support in place, the gains in time can be more consistent and more widespread across departments.

A teacher assists a smiling student at a desk with a laptop in a classroom.

Schools still have room to improve

Time-saving is a starting point, not a finished outcome

While many schools have already made big steps forward, there’s more to be done. According to Computeam’s State of Education reports, almost half of students believe their school doesn’t have enough technology. A smaller but still notable group say their teachers struggle to use the tech that is already available.

Schools that want to improve productivity must align their technology decisions with broader educational goals. That includes investing in infrastructure, choosing systems that work together and ensuring that every device, platform or tool is supported with proper training and follow-through.

AI tools are changing how homework is approached

Real-world use of AI in schools is raising new questions

Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot are being used by students to complete assignments and answer complex questions in seconds. This development is rapidly changing how homework is planned and assessed. In fact, Microsoft recently expanded its Copilot for Education tools to support teachers in crafting differentiated tasks, marking work and preparing feedback at speed.

While this saves time, it also highlights the need for schools to rethink the structure of learning tasks. If a student can generate an essay in a few prompts, teachers must be ready to shift expectations and design work that values critical thinking, personal reflection or collaborative learning – areas where AI is less effective without human input.

Three schoolchildren are smiling and looking at tablets in a bright cafeteria.

Digital assessments are gaining momentum in the UK

Pilot projects show demonstrable time-saving and engagement gains

AQA’s digital GCSE pilot, launched in 2022 and expanded in 2024, is now delivering its first digital exam results. Students in the trials reported that typing their responses helped them work faster and more clearly, especially those with SEND or slower handwriting. Early feedback from teachers also showed that marking was quicker and more consistent, thanks to clearer formatting and fewer illegible answers.

The Department for Education and awarding bodies are continuing to explore how digital exams can reduce admin burdens, cut paper costs, and make assessments more accessible – all of which contribute to better use of time for both staff and students.

A clearer strategy leads to better outcomes

Technology can deliver huge efficiency gains, but only when used with intent and a sufficient level of expertise. Computeam works closely with schools to plan IT strategy in line with each institution’s goals, development plans and priorities. If you'd like to know more, please get in touch by clicking the button below.

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