What Digital Literacies Will FE Teachers Need in 2026+?
If you’re working in Further Education, here’s what you need to know: digital skills are now the backbone of excellent teaching. Teachers in FE and training centres must adapt fast. Here’s a checklist of the digital literacies and skills FE teachers will need by 2026 and beyond.
1. Be Confident with AI and Generative Tools
Use AI to create lesson plans, resources, and assessments.
Test, prompt, and refine AI tools for relevant classroom use.
Understand what makes an effective prompt to get quality AI outputs.
Know how to check AI-generated content for accuracy and bias.
Use AI analytics to track student progress, spot gaps, and personalize support.
2. Rethink Your Role as an Educator
Shift from content deliverer to facilitator and guide.
Get hands-on with curriculum design, using tech to shape and improve learning journeys.
Encourage critical thinking and digital navigation for your students.
Evaluate and edit AI or EdTech resources, don’t just use things ‘out of the box’.
3. Master Hybrid and Blended Learning Skills
Design lessons that work both in-person and online.
Balance live teaching with asynchronous (self-paced) learning.
Make smart use of digital whiteboards, assessments, and collaboration tools.
Foster class connection, use forums, chat, and video calls to build community.
Solve common hybrid problems like engagement dips or tech barriers.
4. Get to Grips with EdTech Platforms
Select, test, and integrate new learning platforms, don’t get left behind on basic VLEs (Virtual Learning Enviroments).
Use new tools for polls, quizzes, and feedback instead of sticking with the same old slides.
Understand how to track learning data and adapt your approach in real time.
5. Assess and Support with Digital Tools
Use data dashboards to identify struggling students early.
Set up automated but human-checked feedback systems.
Adapt assessment styles for online and blended settings.
6. Stay Up to Date, but Stay Critical
Keep up with trends: follow EdTech news, attend training, and try new products.
Don’t blindly chase new tech, always evaluate student benefit, and ease of use.
Learn and share good practice with colleagues both in-person and online.
7. Build Digital Citizenship and Safety Skills
Teach (and model) how to use tech responsibly, safely, and ethically.
Guide students in understanding bias, misinformation, and privacy issues online.
Remain alert to data protection regulations, especially as more learning goes digital.
8. Free Platforms for Teachers to Experiment With
ChatGPT / OpenAI Playground – Try experimenting with AI-generated lesson plans, brainstorming, and more.
Kahoot! – Free version for quizzes and interactive learning.
Padlet – A free tool for collaborative brainstorming and idea sharing.
Google Classroom / Moodle – For organising lessons, assignments, and blended learning experiences.
Nearpod – Create interactive lessons with multimedia, quizzes, and real-time data tracking (Free for teachers with basic features).
Edpuzzle – Add interactive elements to video lessons and track student engagement (Free tier available).
Common Sense Media – Free curriculum resources to teach digital citizenship and safety.
Seesaw – A digital portfolio tool for students (Free for teachers).
These platforms can give you a chance to try out new tools, refine your skills, and keep up with the rapid changes in technology and pedagogy. Starting with these resources can help you build a strong foundation in digital literacy while keeping your teaching methods modern and relevant.