Epson report finds UK schools struggling to balance classroom technology

UK teachers are concerned that classroom technology has expanded faster than schools’ ability to use it effectively, according to new research from Epson.

Nearly two-thirds of teachers surveyed (64%) said technology adoption may have moved ahead of effective use. Meanwhile, 91% of UK students said they use technology in almost every aspect of their lives, and 48% expect extensive technology use during lessons.

Three in four school IT managers (72%) said their schools had introduced more technology over the past year. But 84% said those investments focused mostly on buying devices, rather than deciding how to use them. Three in five teachers said there were too many individual screens, and the same share said there was too much emphasis on AI.

Teachers also reported concerns about learning outcomes: 83% noted reduced student attention, 77% saw a decline in critical thinking, 76% reported lower knowledge retention, and 68% said teaching basic literacy and numeracy had become harder.

“Education systems must move beyond simply adopting technology and instead focus on how it is used,” said Dr Sarah Henkelmann-Hillebrand, Epson Europe Education Lead. She called for technology choices to be designed around learning outcomes and for a better balance between digital and physical tools. The report says schools should invest in use cases as well as equipment while preserving choice between digital and traditional resources.