“A digital pilot is not a ‘trial run’ of the hardware; it is a stress test for your pedagogy.”
It allows you to move from theory to practice using existing resources.
Funding a pilot
While funding is often perceived as a barrier to innovation, it should not be a roadblock. Senior leaders from across the East of England EdTech Hub have launched their digital journeys and sustained momentum through creative and strategic investment.
Step 1 — Test and learn
Identify:
- A small group (e.g. one teacher and a single class)
- A clear, time-bound objective
- Existing technology or a small, targeted purchase to test your idea
This mitigates risk and builds a case for change. Test an idea on a small scale, gather evidence, and make data-driven decisions before large commitments — moving from idea, to proof of concept, to scaling based on lessons learned.
Step 2 — Scaling up
Once your proof of concept shows promise, scale to a wider group with a more structured approach.
- Involve a wider range of stakeholders — a whole year group, department or several classes. This builds buy-in beyond early adopters and surfaces challenges for wider rollout.
- Define clear success metrics — set SMART goals, e.g. “increase student submissions on the new platform by 25% over one term.”
- Provide targeted training — focused training and ongoing support for everyone involved.
- Establish a feedback loop — weekly check-ins, a mid-point survey, or a digital suggestion box.
Step 3 — Reflect and learn
- Analyse the data — look for trends. Did it raise standards? Did it reduce workload? Compare against your Step 2 metrics.
- Create a compelling case study — tell the story, including challenges, with student quotes and a teacher’s reflection.
- Communicate outcomes — present to senior leaders and governors to secure funding for wider rollout, or to pivot.