EdTech Unwrapped

Welcome back to EdTech Unwrapped, and to a new series: ‘Inside the Classroom’, which explores experiences, realities, and the opportunities and challenges of using technology in education today.

In this episode we go beyond the excitement of discovering new tools at Bett, and get into the reality of how schools actually choose, trial, and adopt technology. 

Emily Hobson from Oasis Community Learning talks candidly about running a one‑to‑one digital strategy across 37 primaries, and what evidence she trusts most, while Mike Forshaw from EdTech Impact shares what the data really says about usability, workload, and impact. 

This episode covers

• How schools move from being attracted to tools at events like Bett to actually trialling, implementing, and embedding them
• Tension between wanting robust, contextual evidence and the lack of long‑term studies for new and AI‑driven tools
• Ease of use and workload reduction as decision drivers, and what risks being de-prioritised as a result
• The push towards consolidated stacks, open APIs, real‑time analytics, and better visibility across tools
• AI data use, MIS integration, and how both schools and vendors need to streamline due‑diligence and buying

Mike Forshaw

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeforshaw/

Emily Hobson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-hobson-16b586120/

Duncan Verry

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-verry-aa44175/

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/

Watch this episode on YouTube HERE!

AI has raced into classrooms faster than many school systems can keep up, but has it genuinely made teachers’ lives easier, or simply added complexity to their day? 

As we return to kick off a brand new series of EdTech Unwrapped, Duncan sits down with Lenovo’s Senior Strategist for Education, Delia DeCourcy, to unpack the latest BETT “AI in Education 2026” report and what it really tells us about adoption in the classroom. 

They explore why teacher use of AI has surged from under 30% to almost 80%, yet two in five schools still have no policy or training in place - all this, plus workload, cheating, AI PCs, data security, and ushering in a sustainable phase of AI in education.

This episode covers

• AI adoption vs institutional readiness
• Workload, time and whether AI truly creates efficiency
• Redesigning assessment around new methods of cheating
• AI literacy, student use and teacher guilt
• Building capacity and culture around AI confidence
• AI PCs, security and hybrid AI

Duncan Verry

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-verry-aa44175/

Delia DeCourcy

https://www.deliadecourcy.com/

https://uk.bettshow.com/speakers/delia-decourcy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/delia-decourcy-45819317/

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/

Tech is at the heart of tomorrow’s classroom, and nobody could be a greater custodian for the classroom of the future than Jacob Woolcock.

From the accessibility features unlocking learning, to empowering teachers to step outside their comfort zone with EdTech, he’s a real role model for today’s primary students to become better learners through technology!

This episode rounds off a special mini-series recorded live at Bett, and it’s an inspiring look at how to prepare students and educators for the innovations that we don’t even know exist yet…

Mary Lloyd

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryflloyd/

Jacob Woolcock

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobwoolcock/

https://www.jacobsquick.tips/

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/

From one teacher at the start of a school’s 1-to-1 device journey, to another whose whole 22-school MAT is sharing the gains of these devices, this podcast is a special one…

Rather than chase the shiny tool, and get devices for the sake of it, George Barlow and Dan Blundred focus on the pedagogy behind their progress with EdTech.

They’re our special guests on this episode of EdTech Unwrapped, packed with ideas on how small, thoughtful changes can make HUGE time-savings for teachers across a MAT.

Mary Lloyd

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryflloyd/

George Barlow

https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgebarlow25/

Dan Blundred

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-blundred-75a449247/

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/

Tech literacy doesn’t have to be difficult, especially with the help of incredible digital communities like those you’ll find at Bett!

Amanda Pickard and Poppy LeMar see teachers as EdTech leaders in the classroom, and they’re making it accessible for educators at ALL skill levels, so that every student embraces tomorrow’s technology.

Join us for this special episode of EdTech Unwrapped for a look at the invaluable communities Bett builds, and what they share to help others embrace a confident mindset around digital tools in the classroom.

Mary Lloyd

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryflloyd/

Amanda Pickard

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-brougham-pickard-77635131/

Poppy LeMar

https://www.linkedin.com/in/poppy-lemar-pink/

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/

Out of all the CPD that Meg Brough gives out and receives, it’s the Bett Show that gives her so much to take into the year ahead!

She’s building a digital strategy to help teachers work smarter, not harder, and the conversations and convention stands are among the best sources of inspiration for her work at Perth and Kinross Council. 

Join us LIVE from the Bett Show floor as Meg shares how she creates sustainable digital transformation, and what she’ll take away from this year’s show.

Mary Lloyd

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryflloyd/

Meg Brough

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-brough-163b39201/

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/

The tools to create a more practical, accessible classroom for SEND students are closer to your fingertips than you might think…

One of Bett 2026’s speakers, Claire Harrison, described an ‘assistive technology toolkit’; a phrase that rings true for SEND specialists Dr Sarah Moseley and Ginny Bootman.

The duo join us LIVE from the show floor to discuss the SEND Village at Bett, EdTech & AI’s involvement in SEN teaching, and advice for any SENDCOs incorporating AI and EdTech into their schools!

Mary Lloyd

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryflloyd/

Dr Sarah Moseley 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sarah-moseley-a7a32646/

Ginny Bootman

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginny-bootman-0b7436184/

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/

Welcome to a VERY special mini-series of EdTech Unwrapped, recorded LIVE at the Bett Show 2026!

We’ll be catching up with educators and EdTech professionals from the show floor, exploring the tech changing our classrooms before it’s even in our hands yet.

This mini-series kicks off with the lovely Amy Fraser, who you might know as The Geordie Teacher from her fantastic social content.

She talks us through how Canva’s new tools create meaningful experiences, and why the careful transition to new systems will be the key to letting teachers simply teach!

Mary Lloyd

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryflloyd/

Amy Fraser

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfraser2000/

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/

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. 

This week’s EdTech Unwrapped: Lessons from Leaders is the conclusion of the two-part episode, highlighting some of the leading ideas from the series so far.

We turn attention to students’ learning, exploring how their understanding of tech & AI plays into EdTech strategies, and the role of students’ voices in shaping it.

This episode covers

• The rapid adoption of AI and digital tools among students, outpacing many educators 
• The essential role of critical thinking and digital literacy in helping students safely use new technologies
• Streamlining digital ecosystems in schools, with a focus on single sign-on and minimising cognitive load
• The significance of understanding digital economies such as influencer culture, and how these trends are shaping students’ lives
• Building effective digital strategies by fostering collaboration between educators and students

Looking 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 Verry

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-verry-aa44175/

Alice Whitby

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-whitby-29149a50/

John Jones

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-jones-74795241/

Dr Alexandra Read

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-read/

Reasat Chowdhury

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rchowdhury/

David Olinger

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidolinger/

Praveen Raju

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkalidindi/

Sushma Bharath

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sushma-bharath-5776341/

James Browning

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrowning22/

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/

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 covers

• Empowering teachers with EdTech and AI to reduce workload, enhance wellbeing, and reclaim teaching time
• The role of structured training, support, and collaborative thinking in successful technology adoption
• Real-world classroom strategies, including using real-time data and digital tools for more effective and efficient teaching
• Building trust and partnerships between educators and EdTech developers to address practical challenges and innovate responsibly
• Safeguarding student and staff data by adopting secure, ethical AI tools with clear guidelines and ongoing education

Looking 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 Verry

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-verry-aa44175/

Dr Mary Jane Hetrick

https://www.linkedin.com/in/foundationlogicllc/

Danielle Lewis-Egonu

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-lewis-egonu-94304267/

Cheryl Shirley

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-shirley/

Tim Goodman

https://www.linkedin.com/in/itme/

Chris Hillidge

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hillidge-stem-director/

Rory Vokes-Dudgeon

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-vokes-dudgeon-41936a164/

Ash Mudaliar

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-mudaliar/

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/