The Ultimate EdTech Strategy Catalyst Part 1: Teachers Tapping into Technology - S2E36
Welcome to a VERY special two-part edition of EdTech Unwrapped: Lessons from Leaders, where we pause to reflect on the standout themes and powerful ideas shaping the future of education technology. In this first part, we shine a spotlight on teachers, exploring how EdTech and AI are not just revolutionising student learning, but transforming the teaching experience itself. Duncan guides us through a dynamic selection of best bits from across the series so far, with pointers on not just what technologies are ideal for teachers, but why they can no longer be ignored, and how to integrate them effectively.Be sure to return for the second part of this episode, where we’ll be shining a spotlight on how EdTech affects the student experience.This episode coversEmpowering teachers with EdTech and AI to reduce workload, enhance wellbeing, and reclaim teaching timeThe role of structured training, support, and collaborative thinking in successful technology adoptionReal-world classroom strategies, including using real-time data and digital tools for more effective and efficient teachingBuilding trust and partnerships between educators and EdTech developers to address practical challenges and innovate responsiblySafeguarding student and staff data by adopting secure, ethical AI tools with clear guidelines and ongoing educationLooking at your school’s digital strategy? SMART’s free EdTech assessment tool is designed to help you ask the right questions and have the right conversations for an aligned, cohesive digital strategy that will stand the test of time. After answering the questions in the quiz, you will receive an immediate, individual comprehensive report filled with precise recommendations designed to enhance and refine your school’s digital strategy. Get started aligning your digital strategy here!Duncan Verryhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-verry-aa44175/Dr Mary Jane Hetrickhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/foundationlogicllc/Danielle Lewis-Egonuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-lewis-egonu-94304267/Cheryl Shirleyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-shirley/Tim Goodmanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/itme/Chris Hillidgehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hillidge-stem-director/Rory Vokes-Dudgeonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-vokes-dudgeon-41936a164/Ash Mudaliarhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-mudaliar/Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/ Discover SMART: https://www.smarttech.com/education https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-technologies/
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Safety at the Bleeding Edge: Migrating Schools to Safer, Smarter Systems at Speed with Director of IT at The Dean Trust, Mike Ward - S2E35
At a time where industry titans like Jaguar Land Rover and M&S can be hit by cyber attacks, safe implementation of tech systems should be a top priority for ALL schools.The Dean Trust’s Mike Ward has been instrumental in leading a strategy which sees a trust capable of implementing safe, smart technologies in just 48 hours…Working at speed is one thing, but bringing students, parents and educators along on that journey is another, so join us on EdTech Unwrapped to explore how The Dean Trust is able to achieve all this across its 13 schools.This episode coversStrategic and pragmatic technology transformation in educationThe integration of modern IT systems and cybersecurity within a multi-academy trustCareful transition from legacy systems to innovative platformsThoughtful and cautious adoption of AI tools to ensure privacy, data security, and a measured roll-outImportance of gathering evidence of technology's impact through both quantitative and qualitative feedback from teachers, students, and parentsOngoing plans for infrastructure investment and closer curriculum-technology alignmentLooking at your school’s digital strategy? SMART’s free EdTech assessment tool is designed to help you ask the right questions and have the right conversations for an aligned, cohesive digital strategy that will stand the test of time. After answering the questions in the quiz, you will receive an immediate, individual comprehensive report filled with precise recommendations designed to enhance and refine your school’s digital strategy. Get started aligning your digital strategy here!Duncan Verryhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-verry-aa44175/Mike Wardhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-ward-miet-citp-cisa-8993484a/The Dean Trusthttps://thedeantrust.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dean-trust/Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/ Discover SMART: https://www.smarttech.com/education https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-technologies/
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Cognitive Offload: How to Keep Students’ Critical Thinking & Engagement with Digital Education Lead for University of Birmingham Dubai, Dare Pitan - S2E34
As with all new EdTech, we need to consider two things: its impact in the classroom, and its impact on students’ brains - for better, and for worse…As this week’s guest on EdTech Unwrapped warns, digital tools are able to create a sense of ‘cognitive offload’ which switches off students’ critical thought processes.Dare Pitan is the Digital Education Lead at the University of Birmingham Dubai, and this week he takes us through how students and educators are shaping a strategy which enhances students’ engagement, rather than eroding it.This episode coversOvercoming resistance and fostering acceptance of digital technology among educatorsThe importance of demonstrating both the usefulness and ease of use for technology adoptionThe impact of AI and digital tools on time management, assessment, critical thinking, and academic integrity in universitiesThe value of student voice and feedback in shaping the integration and responsible use of technology Collaborative initiatives and ongoing projects that promote AI integrationLooking at your school’s digital strategy? SMART’s free EdTech assessment tool is designed to help you ask the right questions and have the right conversations for an aligned, cohesive digital strategy that will stand the test of time. After answering the questions in the quiz, you will receive an immediate, individual comprehensive report filled with precise recommendations designed to enhance and refine your school’s digital strategy. Get started aligning your digital strategy here!Duncan Verryhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-verry-aa44175/Dare Pitanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dare-pitan/University of Birmingham Dubaihttps://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-birmingham-dubai/Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/ Discover SMART: https://www.smarttech.com/education https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-technologies/
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Managing Migration: How to Overhaul a Tech Strategy with North London Collegiate School Dubai’s Chrishantha Dias - S2E33
What does it take to make the huge migration from one EdTech ecosystem to another? How do you bring everyone together for that transition, and leave no student or teacher behind?Chrishantha Dias is Director of IT at North London Collegiate School Dubai, and as he headed up their school's journey from Microsoft to Google, the focus on teacher involvement and strategies for overcoming resistance during the transition was second-to-none. Join Chrish in conversation with Duncan on EdTech Unwrapped this week as they also delve into integrating AI and generative technology with privacy at the core, teacher empowerment,and how to showcase tech for good.This episode coversStrategies for migrating from one system to another, as North London Collegiate School Dubai did from Microsoft to GoogleThe role of planning, teacher involvement, and overcoming resistance to changeUsing technology to monitor and guide digital behaviours, assisting with safeguarding and student wellbeingThoughtful evaluation and cautious adoption of AI platforms in schoolsSharing best practices and collaborating with other schools internationally, while adapting approaches to different cultures and demographicsHow technology promises to personalise learning, support special educational needs, and involve students in shaping the school's tech landscapeLooking at your school’s digital strategy? SMART’s free EdTech assessment tool is designed to help you ask the right questions and have the right conversations for an aligned, cohesive digital strategy that will stand the test of time. After answering the questions in the quiz, you will receive an immediate, individual comprehensive report filled with precise recommendations designed to enhance and refine your school’s digital strategy. Get started aligning your digital strategy here!Duncan Verryhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-verry-aa44175/Chrishantha Diashttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishanthad/North London Collegiate School Dubaihttps://www.linkedin.com/school/north-london-collegiate-school-dubai/https://nlcsdubai.ae/Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/ Discover SMART: https://www.smarttech.com/education https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-technologies/
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The Collaboration Behind a Pioneering EdTech Strategy with Director of IT and EdTech at Creative Education Trust, Ash Mudaliar - S2E32
The Creative Education Trust is pioneering technology adoption across 17 schools, and it’s the collaboration between each which drives EdTech forward for all.Ash Mudaliar, Director of IT and EdTech at the trust, joins us for a dive into their strategies for empowering countless students and educators across the country.We’ll explore frameworks for tech adoption, how to inspire teachers’ confidence, and how individual schools sharing their experiences can filter through to an entire trust.This episode coversStrategic development of EdTech in line with educational prioritiesBuilding teacher confidence and competence for meaningful technology integrationSafe and policy-driven adoption of AIDigital accessibility & inclusion for students with SEND and EAL needsCollaboration & knowledge sharing throughout schools within a trustLooking at your school’s digital strategy? SMART’s free EdTech assessment tool is designed to help you ask the right questions and have the right conversations for an aligned, cohesive digital strategy that will stand the test of time. After answering the questions in the quiz, you will receive an immediate, individual comprehensive report filled with precise recommendations designed to enhance and refine your school’s digital strategy. Get started aligning your digital strategy here!Duncan Verryhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-verry-aa44175/Ash Mudaliarhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-mudaliar/Creative Education Trusthttps://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-education-trust/https://www.creativeeducationtrust.org.uk/Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/ Discover SMART: https://www.smarttech.com/education https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-technologies/
Welcome to a new series of EdTech Unwrapped: Lessons from Leaders - brought to you by Bett, supported by SMART.In this series we’re bringing you the insights and experiences of 40 leading educators from around the world.I’m your host Duncan Verry, Portfolio Director at Bett. With over 17 years experience in education and education technology both in schools and as a solution provider, I am excited to hear more from frontrunning voices. On each episode, you’ll hear from pioneers in education and EdTech - we’ll explore the growing, evolving impact of technology on students, educators, and learning experiences.Technology is helping us to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the education sector, and throughout this series you’ll discover how digital transformation and AI-powered tools are helping to deliver a better, bolder future for the next generation.We’re proud to share that the series is supported by SMART, the world leader in interactive technology whose mission is deeply aligned with the challenges and innovations shaping education today.Whether you’re an educator, decision-maker, tech-enthusiast, or you’re fascinated by the future of education, this series of EdTech Unwrapped is for you.You can catch new episodes of EdTech Unwrapped: Lessons from Leaders weekly, so follow the show wherever you access your podcasts to be the first to hear from our forward-thinking guests.Join us for the new series of EdTech Unwrapped - Unwrapping the big tech questions in education.
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