The concept of ‘hybrid learning’ has been a topic of discussion for numerous years, however, it was significantly accelerated by the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic which, according to UNESCO, affected more than 1.6 billion students globally. The shift towards remote learning as a predominant method necessitated the use of technology and digital tools to facilitate the connection between teachers, students, and learning resources.
The innovative software already being deployed by companies such as UK-based Texthelp played an instrumental role in the transition, offering solutions designed to enhance the educational experience. Patrick McGrath, Head of Education Strategy at Texthelp, explains, “Texthelp is an assistive technology firm specialising in creating tools and solutions to aid reading, writing, language learning, and STEM subjects to cater to all learning requirements.”
The significant impact of technology in classrooms in recent years has made learning more accessible, engaging, and effective. In the coming years, online learning is expected to become even more prevalent, with advancements in virtual classrooms and interactive learning experiences.
Today, educators across the globe are under immense pressure to quickly pivot the way they teach. Not only do they need the right devices, but according to Texthelp, they also require expert guidance on all aspects of the move to digital learning, from IT consultancy to digital learning courses and more.
“While blended learning has been a topic of discussion for some time, the role technology plays in education has never been more pertinent than it is today,” he says. With expertise in infrastructure, connectivity, hardware, software, and academic content, the UK is recognised as an international hub for EdTech with over 40 percent of all VC investment in Europe going to UK companies in 2023.
Providing learners with multiple options
Texthelp is just one example of how UK companies have been instrumental in cementing the UK’s status as a trailblazer in educational technology with an unwavering commitment to supporting every learner, backed by a mantra: ‘necessary for some, useful for all.’
Texthelp offers innovative software solutions centred around Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which grants learners the freedom to select how they access and engage with educational content and variability in how they display proficiency and comprehension.
“Our focus on engagement in education revolves around providing learners with a plethora of options to access and interact with content,” explains McGrath, which could entail utilising images, audio, video, or text; offering multiple difficulty levels; or proposing various tasks to cater to diverse learning requirements.
By prioritising accessibility, Texthelp is not only meeting the needs of diverse learners but also driving innovation across the entire EdTech industry. “So far, we have helped over 200 million users worldwide to understand and be understood,” he says, and Texthelp believes in ‘education for everyone’.
This dedication is evident in Texthelp’s relationships with their UK partners, who have expressed a ‘phenomenal impact’ on their school environments. McGrath adds, “At Texthelp, we want to have advanced the literacy and understanding of one billion people around the world by 2030. To do this, we plan to transform the education sector worldwide through innovative and inclusive technology solutions.”
The UK’s innovative solutions that incorporate technology
The UK’s EdTech sector is the largest in Europe. According to The Data City, in 2024 the UK EdTech sector has a total turnover of £6.7bn and has received £5.4bn total investment funding. This is across the full educational landscape with expertise in infrastructure, connectivity, hardware, software, and content. Through government initiatives, many EdTech companies such as Texthelp collaborate with the UK government on various initiatives such as the EdTech strategy and the Education Technology Testbeds initiative, to provide funding and support for schools and educators to pilot and implement innovative technology solutions.
Robust partnerships with Middle Eastern enterprises
With Middle Eastern countries investing in educational reforms and digital learning to reduce dependence on oil economies, the UK’s leadership in educational technology, exemplified by companies like Texthelp, positions them as ideal collaborators for schools in the Gulf region seeking to integrate advanced technologies into their curricula.
UK businesses such as Texthelp are aligned with initiatives like Saudi Vision 2030 and Qatar Vision 2030, which prioritise education for sustainable development. Texthelp has re-established a partnership with MADA Assistive Technology Centre Qatar to ensure their software meets high standards in Arabic as it does in English.
Moreover, UK EdTech often offers flexible and customisable solutions that can adapt to various linguistic and cultural contexts. “Our software solutions work in multiple languages, ensuring that we are making education more inclusive in thousands of classrooms across the globe.”
Through these partnerships, UK companies can assist Middle Eastern schools in achieving their educational objectives and driving progress in both regions, as well as leverage the resources and support offered by UK companies to thrive in a competitive market environment.
Visit great.gov.uk/gcc to discover how UK businesses can support your ambitions.
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