As the saying goes… if you do what you always did, you’ll get what you’ve always got.

‘Neutered tech’, as Dan Fitzpatrick, The AI Educator, likes to call it, is when we follow the above approach when we apply technology to our traditional ways of working, and then expecting a different outcome.

Dan enables schools to innovate in an AI world. He wrote the bestselling book  "The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education.

In this episode of TechToTransform, he speaks to Rebecca Paddick about what the future holds for AI in our schools, and how disruptive edtech leaders can empower educators and learners to embrace AI's potential.

Dan talks about the strategy needed for change in an ever-evolving AI world.

Take a listen.

Dan’s upcoming book,  Infinite Education, provides

Packed with strategies, case studies, and insights, it empowers educators to lead with purpose and build institutions that are dynamic, resilient, and ready for the future.

In this episode, Rebecca Paddick spoke to Holly Felstead, Social Media Manager at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. 

TikTok and other social media sites have helped Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to target new audiences of all ages, and to generate meaningful engagement. 

Holly and Rebecca discussed why some NHS Trusts may have shied away from TikTok in the past and how the attitude towards the platform has now shifted, and how else the NHS could leverage TikTok to effectively communicate important health information to different audiences. 

Take a listen. 

In this episode, Rebecca Paddick spoke to Dr

Ian became Clinical Safety Officer for York Teaching Hospital NHSFT in 2011. His extensive experience in the CSO role has been gained both in development and deployment of healthtech software. The two largest projects being the implementation of York Trust Electronic Patient Record into Scarborough Hospital which had no EPR and creating the Safety Case for an in house developed Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) system. Both projects were successful and were well received by clinicians and nursing staff in the Trust. Today, Ian continues to provide the CSO role for the Trust and several other health IT firms.

During the discussion, Ian highlighted some of the digital health tools helping to make healthcare more accessible and equitable, and the metrics the government could use to evaluate the success of tech-driven healthcare initiatives.

Take a listen.

In this episode, Rebecca Paddick spoke to Mark Anderson, known as the ICT Evangelist, to find out what’s next for tech in schools.

Mark is a former school leader with more than twenty years of experience in the classroom, and is now one of the UK’s most in-demand consultants and trainers, who advocates for the purposeful use of technology.

Mark talked about the future potential of generative AI, and the ethical considerations educators and edtech developers prioritise when implementing AI-driven solutions. He also discussed tech’s role in aiding schools to streamline their data on crucial areas like attendance, and what the results of the upcoming election could mean for edtech.

Take a listen.

Additional resources:

Global EdTech Awards

https://edtechawardsglobal.com

EdTech Playbook

https://edtechplaybook.co.uk

Mobile phone guidance

 https://ictevangelist.com/ten-takeaways-from-the-dfes-mobile-phones-in-schools-guidance/

Little Book of Gen AI prompts

 https://ictevangelist.com/free-resource-the-little-book-of-generative-ai-prompts-for-teachers/

AI policy template for schools

In this episode, Rebecca Paddick spoke to Infotec.NEWS journalist Simon Guerrier, to find out what’s on the horizon in technology reporting over the coming months. 

With an imminent election, the potential impact of AI-generated content, and the continuous evolution of digital, how do reporters select their stories? And what role do technology providers play in that? 

They also discussed the ways journalism is evolving in response to advancements in big data analytics and visualisation tools. 

Looking at public sector tech, Simon explains how the growing importance of privacy and cybersecurity issues could impact the focus and approach of tech journalism in the near future. 

As sustainability becomes a more prominent concern, particularly in the tech industry, the pair discuss how journalists can raise awareness and foster dialogue around environmentally friendly practices and innovations. 

They also covered a few other topics, like the way technology can connect us all, how news should add light not noise, and… the science of teddy bears…  

Take a listen to find out more.  

Links and resources: 

eVTOL (the air taxis of the future)  

Science of teddy bears  

Dorothy app for people living with dementia 

Well-being app for social care staff  

Guide to 'second-life' lithium batteries  

Can AI swing an election? 

Since we spoke to Simon, the British Library has posted a detailed, 18-page report on the cyber-attack it suffered, laying out what happened, how it responded and recommending ways we can all learn from its experience. 

In this episode, we talk to Rob Anderson, Chief Analyst and Service Director, Public Sector at Global Data, about what the future holds for govtech. 

Rob explained how the Procurement Act – a central digital platform for suppliers to register and store their details so that they can be used for multiple bids – could be the biggest change in public sector procurement in a generation.  

Rob then talked about the potential impact of the upcoming election, and why a more digitally focused government should look to build on the existing Roadmap for digital and data. 

He also discussed the potential benefits of Generative AI, the urgency for cyber security funding, and how we can continue to tackle technical debt… aka legacy tech. 

Take a listen. 

We’re kicking off our first episode of 2024 with a focus on student mental health.

Today’s students are facing a very unique set of challenges, the Covid legacy, and the cost-of-living crisis, have added to the ‘traditional’ pressures a student might face during their time at university. But the sector is responding, and there is some fantastic digital tools out there providing extra support.

So what can we expect to see develop further over the coming months? We spoke to Aphrael Spindloe, Content Manager at Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity, to find out more about the support that’s out there for both students, and universities, and how tech can play an all important part in the mental health agenda. 

This year, Student Minds is supporting the sector through a number of initiatives, take a look at Aphrael’s top picks below: 

Student Space provides a range of trusted information, tools and services to help with the uncertainty of student life. 

The Student Minds Hub is a place where you can find community, engage with training, and resources, and find out how your university can put student mental health first. 

#UniMentalHealthDay On the 14th March, the nation will get talking about student mental health and working together to make mental health a university-wide priority. No matter who you are, you can take part in this day. 

University Mental Health Manifesto Sign up to Student Minds’ national newsletter to stay up-to-date with progress of the manifesto. 

Welcome to the latest episode of Tech to Transform, the Mantis podcast.  

In the episode, medtech journalist and editor Ian Bolland discusses the first ever medical technology strategy. The government says the plan will support a thriving UK medtech sector and make sure the health and care system can reliably access safe, effective and innovative medical technologies to deliver the best outcomes for patients. 
 
As well as delving into the policy, Ian discusses the sector frustrations left behind by Covid-19 and debates if the pandemic was a lost opportunity for the medtech sector to drive innovation forward.  
 
He also tells us more about the upcoming Med-Tech Innovation Expo, and explains what medtech and healthtech vendors can do to cut through the noise and get their message heard in a busy and thriving sector. 
 
Take a listen. 

Welcome to the first Mantis podcast of 2023.

Tech to Transform is our podcast series featuring the leaders driving digital change forward in the public sector.

In this episode, we talk to education journalist Charley Rogers about trends and challenges facing schools over the coming months.

We discuss the types of edtech stories that cut through the noise in a busy and ever-growing marketplace, and show how the right technology can support overstretched teachers and impact teaching and learning for the better.

We also take a look at what’s in store at this year’s largest edtech trade show, Bett.

Take a listen.

Welcome to the latest episode of TechToTransform, the Mantis podcast. 

In this episode, Mantis Account Director Rebecca Paddick caught up with Dr Sophie Newton, a GP with a diploma in Lifestyle Medicine and YouTube channel, where she aims to share accurate, honest and evidence-based medical information.

They discussed life in a busy GP practice, and the ways in which technology is helping to improve patient access to primary care. 

Sophie also shared what she’d say to Therese Coffey if she had ten minutes in a taxi with her.

Take a listen.