What’s featured in this episode? 

• The establishment of the not-for-profit Learning Trust in Hackney 
• The ambiguous future of The Learning Trust, following Government announcements for full academisation 
• Collaboration on technology best practice between academies and non-academies in Hackney
• Google apps for education, Apple i-pad and BBC Micro: bit 
• Low-cost computers such as Pi-top
• CPD programmes and support which leads to ‘technologically competent and aware teachers’
• Investment in Edtech within Hackney schools
• Sharing knowledge through informal and formal channels
• External visits to Hackney and case study: Our Lady’s Convent High School 
• Using Edtech to assist schools with ESOL challenges where multiple languages are present
• Using technology to enhance reading learning, in addition to analogue materials 
• Addressing the concern that technology may worsen inequality 
• Early school opening times to increase access to technology
• Funding mechanisms; BYOD vs school investment and hybrid models
• How the learning trust and and Hackney regeneration team are working with business, including RBS & Founders and Coders, to increase external computing expertise into schools
• Controlled assessment at GCSE

Tags:

LEA, CPD, chromebooks, Pi-top, low cost computers, mobile learning strategies, academisation, collaboration, google apps, Ipad, ESOL, reading, inequality, funding, business, controlled assessment

Quotes:

On academisation: ‘It’s not a positive looking future’

On use of technology in Hackney schools: ‘The schools in Hackney have really maximised the use of technology.’ ‘In my experience the Hackney schools have always seen the benefits of technology’ 

On technologically savvy teachers and leaders in Hackney: ‘We have very technologically aware, competent and confident teachers and senior leaders who can see the benefit of that investment.’

On evidence-based Edtech: ‘‘We are very much looking at the efficacy of technology, rather than technology for technology’s sake.’ 

Sharing knowledge: ‘Really positive sharing of knowledge, experiences and different approaches’ 

On BBC Micro:bit: ‘Timing has been key here. If they arrive 6 weeks before the first GCSE exams then that’s going to put pressure on teachers to look at it further.’ ‘I think the timing suggests its something the secondary school teachers will pick up now after the exams.’

Edtech at Our Lady’s Convent High School : ‘It meets students expectations which is really important and i’m going to say it’s a time-saver.’‘It’s absolutely led by the pedagogy, not the technology, trying to enhance what was done previously not just augment tasks’

Business support: ‘The broader City of London and Tech city have offered phenomenal support’

Edtech for reading: ‘I’m adamant that using technology to engage children in reading is fantastically successful.’ ‘We absolutely encourage children to read traditional books as well.’

On access: ‘Key stage 4, key stage 5…access to technology is almost essential.’

On teacher pressure: ‘It’s a a really challenging environment out there at the moment. There is immense pressure.’