Not all screen time is bad screen time. The British School of Amsterdam explains how students at schools that embrace the digital revolution are reaping the rewards.
Head of Technology at The British School of Amsterdam
If you’re exploring school options for your children, it’s worth looking beyond the curriculum and location; technological capabilities should be part of your decision-making process too. Schools that embrace smart technology can offer students a dynamic, personalised and future-ready learning experience.
As technology continues to evolve apace, many schools are rethinking how digital tools can be integrated more effectively into everyday learning. For international schools, where many expat families seek both academic excellence and adaptability, this transformation isn’t just about keeping up with the times, it’s about building a futureproof environment where students thrive in both physical and digital classrooms.
A major shift in approach to educational technology has quietly been reshaping the student experience. In recent years, schools have been moving from a patchwork of digital platforms to a more unified system, often anchored around Google Workspace for Education. This change might seem technical at first glance, but its impact on day-to-day learning has been far-reaching.
It’s essential for parents to understand the digital ecosystem of their child’s school. This awareness helps them stay informed about the tools and platforms their children use, and how technology supports their learning. As digital systems become more integral, parents need insight into how these tools benefit their child's education.
The shift to a unified platform offers more than just convenience; it reduces technological obstacles, giving teachers more time for creative, student-centred learning. For students, especially in junior schools, consistent tools like Chromebooks make digital tasks easier and more engaging.
Google Classroom is now used in more classrooms, creating a flexible space for collaboration, whether students are learning in person or remotely. This ensures continuity, which is especially valuable for expat families who frequently move between countries and curricula.
As part of a digital overhaul, migration from local servers to cloud-based systems is essential. This move ensures greater security and makes the entire IT operation more agile and scalable. For parents, this means peace of mind when it comes to data privacy and digital safety, both of which are increasingly top of mind in today’s connected world.
Another important thing to look out for is a school's dependency on third-party support. The more they can manage with their in-house IT team, the more efficient and responsive their tech setup can be, and it can evolve as fast as students do.
For many international schools, digital transformation is as much about mindset as it is about infrastructure. It’s not just about what tools are being used, but how they are used, and who is involved in shaping them.
Collaboration with Google’s education team allows schools to test and share innovative ideas that could shape how technology is used in classrooms globally. While it’s early days, these partnerships hint at a broader shift: schools are no longer just consumers of technology; they’re active participants in shaping its role in education.
For expat families in the Netherlands, many of whom juggle careers, relocations, and cultural adjustments, knowing that their child’s school is not only keeping up but leading in digital education can be a real source of reassurance.
At The British School of Amsterdam (BSA), technology is not just a tool, it’s a foundation for future-ready learning. Visit the BSA website to see how they prepare expat children for a lifetime of achievement.