EdTech Unwrapped: Lessons from Leaders

The genie’s out of the bottle with AI in education, but how will technology create more human experiences for learners? John Jones is the Director of Innovation at RGS Worcester, and in EdTech Unwrapped he reveals how schools are transforming learning through smart technology integration and AI literacy on an international scale.  Discover how to overcome teacher resistance to new tech, and gain i...

In a jungle of misinformation and AI mistakes, how are we preparing the next generation to dodge the deceit and use technology for good? Alice Whitby’s razor-sharp insight into the real-world impact of EdTech comes from her stellar career, which now sees her responsible for teacher development at Oasis Community Learning! From smashing stereotypes around girls in tech roles, to bringing critical t...

There’s more educational data at our fingertips than ever before, so teachers of the future: you’d better use it wisely… Dr JoAnn Fey is Superintendent of a huge school district that’s breaking boundaries and transforming classroom opportunities for underprivileged pupils. She’s also the latest guest on EdTech Unwrapped, taking us on the journey to futureproofing the learning of over 43,000 studen...

The classroom of the future does not fear technology, or seek to protect students from it - it invites new technologies in… Across Bourne Education Trust, Chris Goodall is making changes which instill confidence and efficiency in students and teachers alike! Join us as Chris dives deep into tracking the effectiveness of EdTech, why we shouldn’t assume the new tools are the best, and how to build d...

Technology isn’t just a tool, it’s a game-changing leveller that brings access to students from all backgrounds like never before! Breaking out of traditional learning models is standard fare for Dr Adrian Bustillos, Chief Transformation Officer at Aldine ISD in Texas… Discover how you can bring technology to the masses, and create change across an entire district, as Adrian joins us for EdTech Un...

Today’s EdTech is changing the game for educators and back room staff alike, but adoption across a trust is no easy feat. Cygnus Academies Trust has a vast range between its schools’ age ranges and locale, and CEO Danielle Lewis-Egonu is leading successful EdTech adoption across the board. This episode covers The Cygnus Academies Trust’s focus on providing equitable technology access across rural...

AI can be a teacher’s secret weapon, and schools needn’t break the bank to implement it… Sonia Wadwha is a Technology Integration Specialist at the forefront of a school trust in Delhi, where innovation is core to the education system in India. Join us to explore how AI tools are empowering teachers and learners, and the art of creating a digital transformation strategy that encourages teachers to...

A teacher’s value is in stoking the fire that burns within a student, so how will EdTEch evolve to minimise the mundane marking and give us our quality time back… Chris Hillidge is Director of STEM at The Challenge Academy Trust, and the transformation he’s leading is taking the boring burdens away, giving teachers time to inspire. Join us on EdTech Unwrapped as we explore collaborative developmen...

When Covid forced technology upon us all, and the democratisation of tech has equalised our access to cutting edge tools, what do the best schools do to set themselves apart? In a school system as vast and advanced as India’s, it’s fascinating to see how emerging technologies continue to impact both academic and operational aspects of education. Who better to explore this with than Sushma Bharath...

SEN students need their own approach to learning, and EdTech has never been better for delivering an individualised experience that resonates with them. At the core of Outcomes First Group is the need to design a learning environment tailored to students’ success, and our guest this week Dr Rebecca Lawton draws on a wealth of experience as a regional advisor, inspector, and leader. Join us on EdTe...

When we work together, we may find success takes longer, but we go further - this is how the implementation of new technology stands the test of time. Collaboration is a key tenet for Dr Hector Montenegro, whose vast amount of expertise is distilled into his new role advising school systems across North and South America. Join us on EdTech Unwrapped as we explore effective tech implementation, dis...

While some schools shy away from technology in its early phases, others can embrace it to take a monumental step forward for both students and educators. Praveen Raju is a Founder of Suchitra Academy near Hyderabad, and as a former software developer his approach to leading a school is unsurprisingly innovative, embracing all that the latest technology can offer. This episode covers Praveen's...

New technologies are a chance to ignite a love of STEM subjects in the next generation of students, and at the Girls’ School Day Trust, Dr Alexandra Read is doing exactly that. Coordinating technical strategy and innovation across 25 schools, Alexandra gives us a fascinating insight into the power of teacher-to-teacher collaboration, how AI is seen differently through a girl’s lens, and the GDST’s...

New York City went from banning AI in schools, to leading its usage through innovative, proprietary new tools, and at its cutting edge in NYC is Reasat Chowdhury. Reasat shares the fascinating journey behind how the district has navigated the complexities of emerging technologies, how the educational experience is enhanced for educators & students, and future ambitions for a tech-enabled educa...

Students with special educational needs are an essential group to consider when tailoring learning experiences, so how is technology making that process more effective than ever? Abingdon House School is a wonderful example of a school empowering learners and teachers alike through technology, and Headteacher Rory Vokes-Dudgeon joins us on EdTech Unwrapped to talk us through their forward-thinking...

When it comes to technology being integrated in education, India is a real powerhouse, and Dr Arunabh Singh has a wealth of experience with the Ministries of Education and Standards in India. That’s why it’s a privilege to explore Dr Singh’s work as a Director at the Nehru World School and the Healthy Planet Schools, to discover how best to teach educators new technologies, the student voice in di...

In a classroom of the future, real-time technologies look set to enhance the teaching experience for educators and learners alike. Leading the way towards the digital future of our classroom environments, LEO Academy Trust’s Cheryl Shirley is an expert in building digital confidence in teachers - an essential step in bringing schools into the next digital age. Cheryl joins us on EdTech Unwrapped t...

Welcome to EdTech Unwrapped: Lessons From Leaders - the new series bringing you the insights and experiences of 40 leading global educators. The series premiere features the fantastic James Browning, whose commitment to forward-thinking learning experiences is evident in his role as COO of Lift Schools. We delve into James’ journey into education, his vision for a classroom of the future, digital...

Welcome to a new series of EdTech Unwrapped: Lessons from Leaders - brought to you by Bett, supported by SMART. In this series we’re bringing you the insights and experiences of 40 leading educators from around the world. I’m your host Duncan Verry, Portfolio Director at Bett. With over 17 years experience in education and education technology both in schools and as a solution provider, I am excit...

We’re at a perfect time of year for educators to use the latest in technology to level up, where the new academic year brings a chance to start anew! Google and Microsoft continue to announce huge features perfect for teachers and learners alike, and highlighting some of the most innovative on this episode of EdTech Unwrapped, we’re joined by Wavenet’s Sally Hodgson and Karen Oliver. Join us as we...

Is a student born creative, or can creativity be taught?  It’s a challenging question, but the right tools in the classroom to unlock the creative spark could make all the difference, and that’s where Petia Maximova and Canva come in… Petia is bringing Canva to Higher Education in a way that promises to unlock the innate creativity in all of us - she joins us on EdTech Unwrapped to share how it’ll...

It’s no secret that students use AI, and it’s sometimes encouraged - but does it mean they’re losing the power of critical thinking? AI’s use in education on both sides of the coin is an evolving beast, and through her work and research, Dr Chahna Gonsalves has had her finger on the pulse for years. Dr Chahna’s insights on the technological future of education are hugely eye-opening, and she share...

The parallels that sport shares with much of life are often worth exploring, as we learn principles that we can take into our own field - such is true of the transformation we’ve seen in English Cricket. From capitalising on emerging technologies to using the latest in AI to create more tailored experiences, we put a sporting spin on the EdTech Unwrapped podcast this week with Rob Key, Managing Di...

There are nuances to AI which most might miss, but those little details are what make it so powerful in the hands of leading AI Strategist, Katie King. Katie is a Top 10 AI Influencer for 2023; a voice of reason in a world where higher and further education is catching up to other sectors in its use of AI, for both staff and students… Join us on EdTech Unwrapped, as we break down how educators and...

Welcome to this special episode of EdTech Unwrapped, recorded live at our first Ahead by Bett Tour at Bournemouth University - the first of many! We brought the conversation around AI in education to three incredible experts - Paddy Sheppard (Senior AI Specialist, Jisc), Darryll Colthrust (Co-Founder & CTO, CHAPTR) and Kaouther Kooli (Associate Professor in Marketing, Bournemouth University)....