AEU policy on technology and teaching

This policy, developed by the AEU Education Committee, lays out the union’s position on the use of technology in classrooms, and the principles under which it can and should be used.

At the October 2021 AEU Joint Primary and Secondary Council, the following policy was endorsed. This policy has been created by the AEU Education Committee following feedback from members and AEU Joint Primary and Secondary Councillors.

Read the full policy

The policy lays out the AEU’s position on the use of technology in classrooms, and the principles under which it can and should be used.

Fundamentally, the use of technology in classrooms should be examined through the lens of the educational purpose and its utility in meeting this purpose. 

Teachers and school leaders should be at the centre of the development of activities that use technology, and be involved in the evaluation of the technologies when they are reviewed.  

The workload associated with all aspects of technology should be assessed through a rigorous workload impact statement to ensure the implementation can be managed in a way that doesn’t impact negatively on school staff wellbeing, including for:

  • developing programs that implement a new technology, and 
  • current technologies, such as email and BYOD programs or remote learning. 

Consultation about how and when to use technology, including the collection, storage and use of data, and the implementation of various forms of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, are essential to ensure the technology is being used to support learning. Consultation is also essential when analysing the OHS considerations of any current or the implementation of any new technology.

Any implementation of technology should be connected with timely and adequate professional learning.  

The policy also sets out the expectations and obligations for the employer in supporting schools with current but also new and emerging technology.

10 August 2021