Best in Class - An EdTech podcast from XMA

This episode explores the integration of Esports into education, discussing its potential to enhance learning outcomes, develop essential soft skills, and provide career pathways for students. There are a lot of misconceptions about eSports, but its cultural significance and the importance of inclusivity and teamwork means it has potential to broaden your curriculum offering. We all advocate estab...

EdTech, Equity, and the Future of Digital Skills Technology is a permanent part of our lives, but how do we integrate it into education without losing the human connection? Join host Michael Conlon  with  Anna Millar  as they navigate the complex landscape of Educational Technology. This episode moves beyond the buzzwords to discuss the real-world impact of digital tools on student outcomes and me...

What if the people trying to hack you are running a companywith HR, business plans, and customer service?  Join Michael Conlon and cybersecurity expert Scott Wright asthey take listeners behind the scenes of the modern cybercrime industry. This isn't about lone hackers; it's about organised, transnational groups that operate with frightening corporate efficiency. In this episode, you will...

In this episode, Michael meets Ulla-Maaria Koivula, the CEO and founder of ThingLink, to discuss the evolution of this amazing platform and its impact on education and beyond. Ulla shares her journey from academia to creating an interactive learning tool that enhances engagement and creativity in classrooms. They explore the ease of building interactive, engaging learning experiences, the importan...

Season 3 kicks off with a wonderful conversation with our guests Sheena Devlin, General Secretary of ADES, The Association of Directors of Education Scotland and Harriet Benbow, Principal Teacher and all-round digital practitioner and leader. With AI being such a prevalent talking point in education circles, we explore the implications of AI in education, discussing its potential benefits and chal...

In this episode, Michael and Leigh Milligan from NaerVaer explore the concept of digital transformation, particularly its implications in education and business. They discuss the importance of change management, empathy in technology adoption, and the cultural shifts required for successful transformation. Leigh shares her journey from education to consulting, emphasising the role of technology in...

In this episode, Michael interviews Dr. Steve Bunce, an expert in digital learning and physical computing. They discuss Steve's journey in education, the significance of physical computing in engaging students, and the collaborative learning experiences facilitated through tools like LEGO and Sphero robots. The conversation also touches on the importance of community engagement in STEM educati...

In this episode, Michael finally gets his colleague and senior consultant to the Microphone! Stuart Cheyne helps explore the multifaceted nature of creativity in education and how we define and deliver it. They uncover how reimagined learning environments foster imagination and problem-solving, preparing individuals for the demands of the evolving workforce, and value these skills bring to both pe...

This season we’re recognising the people on the ground, making digital learning work in their schools and in their regions. In this episode of the Best in Class podcast, Michael speaks with Meg Brough from Perth and Kinross Council about the evolving landscape of digital learning in education. They discuss the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on digital literacy, the importance of media literacy an...

Join Michael and Chris Gerrard as we talk to Martin Crick, about Cricksoft and the fabulous Clicker software, its origins, evolution, and its significant impact on literacy and learning in the classroom. They explore the key features of Clicker that support students' writing and learning processes, emphasizing the importance of child-friendliness and user experience. The conversation highlight...

We're kicking off the second season with some quick chats with friends at BETT 2025, the largest EdTech festival in the UK. Every kind of hardware and software vendor is here, focusing on convincing their audience that their product is the one to transform learning and teaching. For many though, it's a chance to connect with peers from across the country as well as take back what is good,...

In our last episode of Season 1, we talk to  Darren Tobin from the mighty Sphero, discussing all things robots and the impact of Sphero's innovative products on STEM education. We explore the evolution of Sphero's offerings, including the Bolt Plus, Indi Little Bits, RVR+ and Blueprint, emphasizing the importance of concrete, hands-on learning and engagement in the classroom.  With Computing Scien...

In this episode, we address questions from the Best in Class mailbag, covering some of the things that have interested you over the past 9 weeks or so. Q - Related to the 2042 question from last week - what should schools be doing now to prepare that young person for 2042 Q - Ai - what are the biggest challenges in implementing AI in Education Q - About AI - how could I start using it as an educat...

In this episode, Michael heads off to Aberdeenshire for their PedTech Festival, “ Effective Pedagogy using Digital Technology “, focusing on integrating educational technology in teaching and learning. You’ll hear from Julia Rickard and Jim McLean who set the whole thing up, as well as some of the attendees, discussing the importance of events like this in promoting digital learning, the challenge...

In this episode, Michael catches up with Jon Neal from Quizizz, discussing the evolution of formative assessment tools and Quizizz's fantastic innovative features. With an amazing FREE plan for teachers, they’ll explore the importance of diverse question types, interactive lesson creation, and the integration of AI to enhance the teaching experience.   Quizizz empowers teachers to create engaging...

What can technology do for Maths? Especially in the everyday work of solving problems and showing you work?  In this episode, Michael talks to Daniel Hagstedt from Magma Math, discussing the innovative educational technology designed to enhance math learning. They explore the origins of Magma Math, its focus on personalised and adaptive learning, and the importance of students showing their work,...

In this episode, we speak to Andrew Campbell and Danielle McKernan from Texthelp about the importance of accessibility in education, particularly through their product Read & Write. Always passionate about this area, they are on a mission to reach a billion people and are well on the way. As well as discussing the origins of this fantastic accessibility tool and its evolution, we also touch on...

It has been the school holidays up here in the north, so we’ve taken a little detour down another avenue of EdTech, the often overhyped but always interesting world of Artificial Intelligence, which is sometimes the elephant in the room in education circles or the end of civilisation in others. In this episode, Michael discusses the evolving role of AI in education, exploring its potential benefit...

Would you rather have only one person in a class who knows how to use a particular piece of edtech, or would you prefer 30?   That’s one of the intriguing questions Michael Conlon from XMA and Frazer Williams from OLUS discuss as they explore how OLUS Education approaches professional learning and building capacity in schools. OLUS Education is a unique solution that aims to make teaching digital...

Workflow is tied so closely to workload, and we should all be in the business of making teachers lives easier, not harder. Whilst Showbie at the outset feel like a fantastic way to assess, mark and give feedback – it is – if you ask us on a deeper level where its value lies, we’d say it clearly reflects good pedagogical practice and shapes a workflow that really has an impact on workload. We’re lu...

Book Creator is a fantastic versatile app that allows users to create and publish books. It was developed by Dan Amos to support his dyslexic son's reading and writing and  empowers students to become authors, providing them with a range of tools to create engaging and interactive books. Book Creator is used across all age groups and stages, from early years to secondary education and allows teach...

In this very first episode, the XMA digital learning team discusses their passion for integrating technology into education. They share personal stories about how digital tools have transformed learning experiences for students, particularly those with learning challenges. The conversation highlights the importance of accessibility, teacher training, and the impact of projects like the Glasgow Con...