NetSupport Radio

Welcome to another episode of #TipTopTipsEdu! In this episode, I was pleased to welcome US former educator and all round edtech superstar Monica Burns, aka ClassTechTips, to the show.

I’ve always really enjoyed my conversations with Monica about teaching and learning with technology when we’ve worked together. I was so looking forward to it, I shared about her involvement in the show prior to the recording and asked on Twitter if anyone had any questions that they’d like Monica to respond to with some #TipTopTipsEdu!

Thanks to Nick Dempster, Linda Parsons, Kat Cauchi, Jon Neale and Sabeshan Gnanam for their responses, which formed some of the questions I asked Monica during the show. 

Here are the questions we covered: 

1.      Can you share any #TipTopTipsEdu on how to use edtech to support EAL and SEND learners? (Kat Cauchi)

2.      Do you have any #TipTopTipsEdu on slick starter activities that teachers can give to students that take the cognitive load off the teachers[LB1] [MA2]  at the start of lesson and promote collaboration/online oracy? (Linda Parsons) 

3.      What are your #TipTopTipsEdu for getting staff buy-in to upskill and innovate or change the way things have traditionally been done in the classroom? (Sabeshan Gnanam)

4.      Can you share any #TipTopTipsEdu on how to create digital portfolios for our youngest learners, such as those aged 4-8 years old? (Nick Dempster)

5.      Do you have any #TipTopTipsEdu thoughts on where you might see apps like Clubhouse or TikTok as vehicles for delivering (and enhancing) learning experiences in the future? (Jon Neale)

6.      Research shows that embedding oracy as a key part of the curriculum can really help with learners’ progress. Do you have any #TipTopTipsEdu on tools that can help to promote oracy in the classroom? (Mark Anderson)

As you might expect, these questions brought about some fantastic conversations, but you’ll have to watch or listen to the episode to hear the insights shared!

To learn more about Monica, her work, books and her various social accounts, please visit https://bit.ly/MonicaBIO where you’ll find everything you need. 

 Finally, thank you to Monica for taking some time out of her busy schedule to catch up and share her #TipTopTipsEdu on the show!

This episode of TipTopTipsEdu is packed full of insights and advice around the important topics of Online Safety, Digital Citizenship and all-round sound approaches to how we keep our young people (and teachers) safe, happy and healthy when working and learning whilst online.  

Our guest on the show in this episode is the fantastic, Alan Mackenzie. Known as the ‘Esafety Adviser’, what Alan doesn’t know about mindful approaches to all of the issues surrounding Safeguarding, Online Safety, Digital Citizenship and all that surrounds it, isn’t worth knowing. 

In this episode, the questions I posed to Alan included: 

1. As students will be returning to school soon, what online safety advice would you give to schools? 
2. Like myself, your ordinary day job is to go out and physically visit schools – what has changed for you over the last year, do you think virtual has been a help or a hindrance? 
3. Online safety can be a very diverse and fast-moving environment and teachers are already busy juggling different priorities, how can schools keep up to date on the things that matter to them? 
4. How can teachers stay on top of current issues related to Online Safety? 

To learn more about Alan and his work, please do check out his website, https://www.esafety-adviser.com/. To connect directly with Alan, follow him on Twitter here.  

Whilst we have you too, Alan also worked with us on our recent ‘Online Safety Guide 2021’, a guide jam-packed with the latest advice and information on this important topic. Grab your free copy here.  

In this episode of the show, I was lucky to have the opportunity to speak with Dr Sharon Smith; educator at Tute Education, researcher and BERA fellowship awardee.  

Sharon has undertaken a number of different pieces of research during her career which explores different ways to deliver effective online learning. She also works at Tute Education, an NTP partner and a BETT award-winning company that have been delivering online learning for many years, so we thought she would make an excellent guest for the show.  

In this episode, the questions I posed to Sharon included: 

1. What tips would you give to teachers looking to improve their online learning? 
2. What did you do in your research around online learning? 
3. What can you tell me about your work at Tute? 
4. What tips would you give to schools looking to make the most of their NTP funding in using an external provider? 
5. Do you have any advice for teachers beyond what you’ve shared already 

To learn more about Sharon and her research and work, please do check out some of the links below or to connect directly with Sharon, please follow her on Twitter here or connect on LinkedIn here.  

Finding the voice of students engaging in online alternative provision via digital data collection methods >>https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13061

Tute case studies >> https://www.tute.com/real-outcomes 

The ‘Check it out!’ show, now on its fifth episode in the series, helps schools to discover new solutions in a fun, informative online show, hosted by Al Kingsley and Mark Anderson (authors of ‘A Guide to Creating a Digital Strategy in Education’). 

The February show, broadcasted LIVE on the 23rd February from 7pm, will be extra special as it will showcase solutions that are free to use or have special offers running to support schools during these challenging times. 

Guests include:
Family Video Game Database - taminggaming.com
iTCHYROBOT - itchyrobot.co.uk
classroom.cloud – classroom.cloud.com 
now press play At Home - nowpressplay.co.uk
Chatta - chattalearning.com
Learning with Parents - learningwithparents.com
IncludEdu - IncludEdu.Online
Coding Siblings - twitter.com/CodingSiblings
YouTeachMe- youteachme.co.uk
Tripleplay - tripleplay.tv
SISRA Observe - sisra.com/observe
Xello (From CASCAID) - cascaid.co.uk
MSP Lab - msplab.cloud
Natterhub - natterhub.com
School Support Solutions - schoolsupport.solutions/training-package


With over 17,000 combined views, Al and Mark are now calling for contributors to the March edition of the show. So, if you have a solution or service you would like school leaders and educators to hear about, please visit: https://www.netsupportsoftware.com/showcase/

In this episode of the show, I got to speak with ReallySchool’s product manager, Kat Cauchi about all things ReallySchool.

A former teacher and TA, Kat really knows what it takes to support teaching and learning and those all important observations you have to undertake in a primary school. It was really interesting to learn more about the product, how it can help reduce workload, improve communication and better support parental engagement. 

In this episode, the questions I posed to Kat included:

·         What is ReallySchool?

·         Why was it developed?

·         What problems/issues does ReallySchool help with?

·         What would be your top tips for recording observations?

·         How can you make the most of ReallySchool’s reporting tools? 

·         What are your top tips for communicating with parents and carers?

To learn more about ReallySchool visit https://reallyschool.com or to connect directly with Kat, please follow her on Twitter here. 

In this episode of #TipTopTipsEdu I had the chance again to talk all things NetSupport DNA with our Technical Support Manager, Andy Earp.

For the uninitiated, NetSupport DNA is one of our jewels in the crown here at NetSupport. A product which is helpful from both a whole school IT real estate management front alongside supporting the role of the Designated Safeguarding lead; DNA is a product that works well and supports any school. It’s no small wonder it’s loved by Network Managers the world over! 

In this episode, Andy answers 5 frequently asked questions and below in the show notes, you’ll be able to see linked articles which will help you even further in responding to the ideas and tips shared by Andy in this session.

In this episode I asked:

1 - Can I collect data and remotely assist DNA Agents that are outside my network

• Implementing and using the NetSupport DNA Gateway

2 - How to enable Privacy and Acknowledgement prompts for Agents running on Staff devices

• How to turn on privacy thumbnails for certain Agents in the DNA Console

3 - How can DNA integrate with AD

• Installing the NetSupport DNA Agent via AD Group policy software deployment
  
  
•  How to reset AD Password using DNA via the DNA Console
  
  
• How to configure the AD Reset Password option via the DNA Agent icon for certain users 
  
  
•  How to apply the NetSupport DNA ADMX template files
  
  
•  Enabling SSO for DNA Console Operators
  
  
• How to layout Devices in DNA based on AD Containers

4 - How to maintain the DNA Database

• Using database maintenance to remove unwanted data

 5 - Is it possible to generate custom reports in DNA

• How to create custom reports within DNA using the Query tool and Query scheduler

I first stumbled upon the force of nature that is Emma Turner when I read her brilliant book ‘Be More Toddler’ early in 2020 prior to the first lockdown. A fantastic book exploring the lessons we can learn from young people about being brave in leadership. A strong leader, Emma is also passionate about flexible working and so in November 2020 her second book ‘Let’s Talk About Flex’ was released to great acclaim too. 

With many strings to her bow including being a former Headteacher, Emma’s current role sees her as the Research and CPD lead for the Discovery Schools Academy Trust in Leicester. Alongside this she also presents on the Naylor’s Natter Podcast, regularly shares great ideas, tips and her vast experience via her popular Twitter account at @Emma_Turner75.

In this episode of the #TipTopTipsEdu show, Emma responds to the following questions with some fantastic advice and anecdotes:

1. Can you share a bit about your career to date? 
2. Why did you become a teacher?
3. In your book ‘Be More Toddler’ you talk about how teachers can improve and develop by being a bit more toddler – to what extent do you think this helps people in their adoption of using technology in the classroom and can you share any anecdotes on how you’ve approached this?
4. Can you share one thing that you do with technology as a leader that helps you to be more efficient?
5. With your new book about flexible working this is clearly something you’re hugely passionate about, what issues do many school leaders face on this topic and what tips would you share 
6. Can you share one tip that helps you to be productive when juggling as many plates as you do?
7. With your parent hat on could you possibly share any tips for how parents can best support their children with remote learning? 
8. What is your number one top tip / life hack / approach that you would like to share with our viewers/listeners?

It’s our third episode of #TipTopTips Edu! This week, we chat to Abdul Chohan, who is one of the world’s leading educational technology thought leaders and experts. With a heritage of impactful school leadership with innovative and inspiring technology deployments, Abdul has a wealth of experience whilst in post - and subsequently - in supporting teachers and leadership teams in their schools around the world.

With that in mind, it made complete sense to invite him to speak on the #TipTopTipsEdu show, so that teachers across the globe can get to hear his ideas and edtech approaches.

In this episode, Abdul shares his top tips for school leaders on:

·         how to make remote education work

·         how to support colleagues

·         ways to approach successful change management.

He also shares top tips for teachers around:

·         how to develop your edtech skills

·         areas that are ripe for impactful uses of technology

·         ways to support yourself and others with your teaching and learning approaches.

In addition, he talks about how to rapidly develop skills in the use of technology to support teaching and learning, as well as how to find out more about the new Showbie Certified Educator programme.

To connect with Abdul, please follow him on Twitter at @abdulchohan.

To learn more about Showbie, you can visit showbie.com or their YouTube channel. 

Watch mark chat to Abdul right here.

Digital strategy is something that has been very close to our hearts here at NetSupport for a long time. If you haven’t seen our guide to creating a school digital strategy, then you really should. 

One of our case studies in the second iteration of the guide was supplied by UAE-based educator and leader, Linda Parsons, of Deira International School (DIS). 

Recently, we were delighted to hear that ISC Research announced in their International School Awards that DIS had won their Digital Technology in Learning award at the#ISAwards2021,  so we decided to line up this chat to find out more! 

In this episode, hear Mark (and NetSupport Group MD, Al!) chat to Deputy Headteacher, Paul Gardner, and Educational Technology Lead at the school, Linda Parsons.

You can also watch the interview on YouTube here.