NetSupport Radio

In this episode of Insights with NetSupport, Mark Anderson talks to Olly Lewis, Head of Digital Transformation at the Thomas Deacon Education Trust and 2022 ‘Edruptor’ about change management and how to integrate educational technology into an educational setting. Olly emphasises the importance of time, priorities, and community involvement in change management. 

He stresses the need to ensure sufficient time is given to the change process, clear communication about what is being done and why, and involving the community, which includes the school, parents, and students.  

Olly also highlights the importance of understanding the digital divide and ways to support the community, such as by providing information resources, brochures, how-to videos, and open forums to share information and have a dialogue.  
 
Olly believes that change management is not just about technology but about people, and it is important to have a culture of innovation that embraces change. He suggests that educators should focus on pedagogy and the impact on teaching and learning rather than just the technology itself. 

Olly can be found on his twitter at : @OLewis_coaching 

For more Insights and many more useful videos, please subscribe to the NetSupport channel.

Watch the video here. 

Welcome to the latest episode of 'Insights with NetSupport,' where NetSupport’s Head of Education, Mark Anderson, sits down with Sammy White, former Maths teacher and teaching and learning expert from Texthelp, to discuss her new book, 'The A to Z of EdTech' and accessibility in the classroom.

Here are the questions we asked Sammy:

• What inspired you to become a maths teacher, and how did you end up working at Texthelp?
•  In your book, the 'A to Z of Edtech,' you cover a wide range of topics related to educational technology. 
•  What were some of the most surprising or unexpected things you learned while researching and writing the book?
• What are some of the biggest challenges facing educators when it comes to implementing new technology in the classroom, and how can these be addressed?
• How do you see the role of edtech evolving in the next five to ten years, and what new developments are you most excited about?
• How important is accessibility when it comes to edtech, and how can educators ensure that all students are able to benefit from the latest technological tools?
• What are some of the most promising technologies in this area for the future?

If you're interested in learning more about educational technology, be sure to check out Sammy's book, 'The A to Z of EdTech,' which covers a wide range of topics related to the use of technology in education. The book is available for purchase at www.whatthetrig.co.uk, and all proceeds go to support St. Leonard's Hospice. The book is also available as a read-aloud version on Spotify, with a chapter-by-chapter format for easy listening.

Welcome back to Of Primary Importance!  

In this podcast series we are exploring all things EYFS and primary with different topics and special guests each fortnight.  

In this episode, I am joined by Cat Allott to talk about empowering teaching assistants (TAs) and helping them feel a valued member of their school community. Cat is a Segment Assistant at Twinkl Teaching Assistants. Her role involves creating TA-specific resources, publishing blogs and running our @TwinklTA Twitter account and TA Facebook groups she has a keen interest in all things pastoral and enjoys networking with other education professionals to raise the profile of TAs, Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) and Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs). 

Cat if a former KS2 Teacher and TA, who qualified in Speech & Language Therapy before becoming a Teaching Assistant to gain some experience in schools before her PGCE. She was a KS2 Class Teacher for 5 years before transitioning away from the classroom to Twinkl Teaching Assistants.  

 
Here are some of the questions I asked Cat: 

• Could you please introduce yourself to our listeners? 
• What prompted you to leave the classroom? 
• How have you found the transition from teaching to working at Twinkl? 
• What attracted you to being part of the Teaching Assistant Segment there in particular? 
• What are some of the key challenges TAs are currently facing and how can we overcome these? 
• Do teaching assistants feel valued enough? 
• What are some things schools can do to help TAs feel more valued? 
• What CPF opportunities would you want TAs to have access to? 
• How can class teachers develop good working relationships with their TA? 
• What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a TA? 
• What are some ways that Twinkl TA Digest can support TAs? 
• Where can listeners get support and how can they best contact you? 

You can connect with Cat on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
You can also check out the Twinkl TA website and YouTube channel. 

You can follow me (Kat Cauchi) on Twitter at @ReallyschoolK

Check out #OPIP and #OfPrimaryImportance for more content and see all our previous episodes here. If you are interested on coming on the show or have a topic suggestion, send me a DM on Twitter or email [email protected]!  

Kat Cauchi is NetSupport’s Community Engagement Manager, the Editor of R.I.S.E. Magazine and the Product Manager of ReallySchool. She is also a former Primary School Teacher, Member of the Global Equality Collective, a Technocamps GiST Role Model, an InnovateHer role model and a Global EdTech Author.

Welcome back to Of Primary Importance!  

In this episode, I am joined by Lynn How to talk about ‘Creating mentally healthy workplaces from the top to the bottom and the bottom to the top.’ 

Lynn has 20 years of primary teaching and SLT experience; she has been an Assistant Head, Lead Mentor for ITT and a SENCO. She loves to write and as well having her own blog, she has written for organisations including Education Support, Nexus and SEN Magazine. She is also the editor of Teacher Toolkit. Lynn has two books being published with Hinton House this year on the topics of SENCO survival and SEMH in EYFS and KS1. 

Here are some of the questions I asked Lynn:  

• Could you please introduce yourself to our listeners? 
• Could you tell us more about your Positive Young Minds Facebook group? 
• From your experience what are some of the main pressure points school staff are experiencing? 
• Are there any particular groups in education you feel are particularly pressured and groups that are getting less support than others and how do we improve that? 
• Mental health issues are quite prevalent in education and have been for a long time- is this improving at all? 
• We’ve discussed some of the challenges for schools in supporting good mental health, what are some more of the key challenges? 
• How can a school underpin mental health to be within their culture and values? 
• What are some common misconceptions for improving wellbeing and mental health? 
• How does the mental happiness of staff impact on pupils? 
• How does a mentally healthy school impact on retention? 
• What are some examples of good practice in schools in the UK or internationally that we can look to? 
• Where can schools go for resources and support with wellbeing and mental health and how can they best get in contact with you? 

You can connect with Lynn on Twitter on LinkedIn at LinkedIn and on Facebook at both coachingforteacherwellbeing   and PositiveYoungMind. You can also check out her website and YouTube Channel  

You can follow me (Kat Cauchi) on Twitter at @ReallyschoolK  

Check out #OPIP and #OfPrimaryImportance for more content and see all our previous episodes here. If you are interested on coming on the show or have a topic suggestion, send me a DM on Twitter or email [email protected] !  

Kat Cauchi is NetSupport’s Community Engagement Manager, the Editor of R.I.S.E. Magazine and the Product Manager of ReallySchool. She is also a former Primary School Teacher, Member of the Global Equality Collective, a Technocamps GiST Role Model, an innovate   role model and a Global EdTech Author.

With Bett 2023 just around the corner, discover the latest news, activities and speakers lined up with NetSupport’s recent panel discussion ‘Bett 2023 – The highlights’.

Bett 2023, which takes place from Wednesday 29th – Friday 31st of March, can pass like a whirlwind, but with free passes available until the 3rd of March, visitors should start to plan their trip now!

Helping to do just that, listeners and viewers can tune in to the discussion to hear all about this year’s theme from Bett Portfolio Director, Louisa Hunter, as well as the highlights that visitors can look forward to. Meanwhile, Caroline Wright, Director General of BESA, and Emma Darcy, Director of Technology for Learning at Chiltern Learning Trust and Bett UK Advisory Board Member, talk about impactful EdTech. Russell Prue also joins the discussion to reveal what hot topics and key speakers will feature on NetSupport Radio (the official broadcaster of Bett 2023), whilst Al Kingsley, Author and Chair of a Multi-Academy Trust, provides a sneak peek into his speaker session on the Bett Leaders stage. Concluding with their top tips to help visitors make the most of their visit, the 'Bett 2023 – The highlights' discussion is the perfect starting point to your Bett 2023 experience. Listen live to the radio and watch the discussion as a video here.

The Insights series aims to provide an interesting and relevant topic and a special guest who can shine some expert knowledge onto the subject, so we can all learn something new! 

In this episode of Insights, we were delighted to welcome recognised author, speaker and mental health advocate, Tom Thelen to the show. 

Tom has spoken at over 800 schools and conferences and has been interviewed on NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS. His new book, Mental Health 101 For Teens, is an Amazon #1 New Release. 

In this episode, we explored how Tom became a go-to speaker for bullying and mental health, talked about the cracks within our education systems and much more. 

Tom responded to the following questions we asked: 

• How did you become a go-to speaker for bullying and mental health?
• What are some common concerns you’re hearing about from schools?
• What challenges are students facing that were different from pre-COVID or perhaps just not as evident before?
• Social-emotional learning (SEL) and student well-being are becoming much more commonplace terms in schools, even “trendy”. For schools to get it right, what do you think needs to happen?
• We believe it’s better for schools to be proactive instead of reactive – are there things they can be doing now to get ahead of potential problems students face online, such as cyberbullying?
• You talk about becoming a “no bullying school.” What does that mean and how can schools aim to meet that objective?
• Where can people go to learn more about the resources you provide?

 
As you might expect, there are lots of great pieces of advice and ideas that Tom shares.

You can also watch back this episode on YouTube:

Welcome to another episode of Insights with NetSupport!  

The Insights series aims to provide an interesting and relevant topic and a special guest who  can shine some expert knowledge onto the subject, so we can all learn something new! 

In this episode of Insights, we were delighted to welcome Deputy CEO of the Areté Trust, Jon Tait to the show.  

With a career in education spanning many years, with teaching, middle and senior leadership responsibilities, Jon has also authored several helpful books for educators. Always jam-packed full of top tips (and that’s just his books) we knew a conversation with him would bring plenty of expert insights!

In this episode, we explored productivity for school leaders and how technology can help in lots of different ways. Jon responded to the following questions we asked: 

•  You’ve had experience of using both Microsoft and Google tools in your everyday leadership work. Could you talk a bit about that and your approaches? 
• What do you see as being the big differences between the two ecosystems and what benefits do you think each of them might bring? 
• Can you give share some insights on how technology can help you be an effective leader?  
• Do any of these approaches help you beyond the office? 
• Can you share how some of your productivity tips can help students (and their parents) support more successful study?  

 As you might expect, there are lots of great nuggets of advice with the tools and approaches Jon shares.  

You can also watch back the episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/DYBZf4fQMTg

Episode 21 - Developing mental fitness in younger students
 
Welcome back to Of Primary Importance! 
In this podcast series we are exploring all things EYFS and primary with different topics and special guests each fortnight.  

In this episode, I am joined by Jez Belas to talk about ‘Developing mental fitness in younger students.’ Jez is a former Director of Sport and PE teacher turned Co-founder and Engagement Director of wellbeing company youHQ . He is passionate about mental and physical fitness and would like to see more time and resource dedicated to this in schools. 

Here are some of the questions I asked Jez: 
• Could you please introduce yourself to our listeners?
• Can you give an overview of youHQ and what you do?
• How would you define ‘mental fitness?’
• What factors do you think have caused the increase in demand for social and emotional support for primary pupils?
• Why do you think it will have a big impact to have mental fitness training for younger pupils (before secondary school)?
• How can schools develop the mental fitness of young pupils?
• What are the challenges for schools in supporting mental fitness?
• Can you talk more about the link between physical and mental fitness and how schools can utilise that link?
• Where can schools go to get in touch with you and to access support and resources?
    
You can follow youHQ on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube . You can also check out their website    and connect with Jez Belas on LinkedIn. 

You can follow me (Kat Cauchi) on Twitter at @ReallyschoolK 
Check out #OPIP and #OfPrimaryImportance for more content.  If you are interested on coming on the show or have a topic suggestion, send me a DM!   
  
Kat Cauchi is the Product Manager of ReallySchool and the Editor of R.I.S.E. Magazine. 
She is also a former Primary School Teacher, Member of the Global Equality Collective,  Technocamps  GiST Role Model, and Global EdTech Author.  

In this episode of Insights with NetSupport, we are joined by the fantastic Adam Mendler, CEO of Veloz Group and Host of the Podcast - Thirty Minute Mentors. 

Adam draws upon his insights on building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored more than 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc., and HuffPost. 

Hear Adam's answers to the following questions we asked on NetSupport Radio:

-Tell me about your podcast and the amazing list of people you’ve interviewed over the years. 
-How did the idea for podcast come about? 
-Tell me some of the best insights you’ve gleaned from your guests? Has anything surprised you? 
-In dealing with young people today, are there any specific leadership skills that you feel can be taught in K-12 schools? 
-How does that differ from elementary-age students to high school students?
-Talk with me about mentorship. This is especially interesting to me from the perspective of students getting skills-based training, coming out of their high school career with skills beyond the core subject areas.

To hear more Adam visit and follow him on:

https://www.adammendler.com/
Twitter: @adammendler
https://www.adammendler.com/podcast

In this episode of Insights with NetSupport, we welcome Jack Roehrig (@sirjackery), Tenured GRC CSO+, International Privacy Expert, and UPTYCS Evangelist, to speak about everything 'Data Protection'.

Hear Jack's answers to the following questions:

-For our audience, can you provide a quick overview of your background in data security and why you’re passionate about it?
-In the US you have FERPA/COPPA… what impact do these regulations have on schools/edtech vendors? Do you think they do enough?
-What would be your top tips for vendors working in the education sector?
- Looking to the future, would you say the US is going to follow in the footsteps of Europe and go further with its data privacy laws?