Why you need to visit EduTech Show 2017.
In recent years, there has been a shift in how schools and teachers view, and access, their own professional development. Gone are the days when a Local Authority would host an abundance of courses on anything from raising attainment in Year 4 maths to batik! Nowadays, schools are more reliant on buying in expertise and training, and in the current climate this is becoming trickier, as budget constraints narrow choices and options.
In the world of educational computing, getting the right people in for a school’s particular needs can be a minefield, not just in terms of CPD but also in getting the right advice and guidance on which ‘kit’ to purchase. EduTech 2017 is a new exhibition designed around the needs of the teacher and with the aim of bringing together good quality suppliers with practical, meaningful professional development.
The working party established to steer the event in the right direction is made up of experienced event planners and educators with many years experience in the field of education technology. Themes for the conference were identified early on and will cover: e-safety, learning models, the realities of the modern classroom, delivering the computing requirements in a meaningful context, and much more.
The event is designed to connect teachers with other teachers and to share best practice. To this end, the presenters at EduTech 2017 consist of a mixture of experienced and well known speakers, and classroom practitioners who are inspiring children every day in their schools and classrooms.
Speaker sessions are divided in to seminars and master classes. Both are designed to give attendees some ‘take-aways’ to use back on the classroom, and teachers will gain some hands-on, practical experience – and a lot of fun - in the master classes.
Established speakers include: Miles Berry (Roehampton University), Dr. Steve Bunce, David Mitchell (Deputy Mitchell, QuadBlogging), David Kirtlan (Elsium Education #iPadBand), myself (!), Dughall McCormick, Terry Freedman (ICTinEducation) and Prof. Stephen Heppell (Heppellnet). Presenters who are class teachers and practitioners are drawn from across the country and will inspire you with the work they are doing in their schools and classrooms. Other speakers come from professional teaching associations and online safety organisations.
A quick look at the seminar sessions shows the vast experience and wide-ranging subject matter the speakers will bring over the two days. At thirty minutes each, they are set to be packed full of information. Themes and areas of focus include: going 1:1 in a primary school, a wealth of online safety, different approaches to your computing curriculum, robotics and the wider curriculum, blogging, mastery in computing, engaging parents, creative coding, progression, and something involving Bonnie Tyler and Rick Astley (You’ll have to go along to Dr Steve Bunce’s session at 4pm on Friday to find out!)
Over on the Masterclass stage, there’s plenty to get excited about too. These short, sharp, twenty minute sessions will inspire delegates and get them hands-on, giving them lots of ideas to take back to the classroom. On Friday, sessions range from playing in the amazing iPad Band, led by Elsium’s David Kirtlan, to creating a class blog in double-quick time with David Mitchell, via augmented and virtual reality, coding and digital resilience. On Saturday, delegates will experience everything from making a mobile app in 20 minutes, exploring storytelling using green screen technology and will ‘fall in love with coding’ in Liane Katz’ session at 1.15pm. In between, there are some great e-safety tips, including how to impress OFSTED!
The other aspect of EduTech2017 is the exhibition space. Companies and suppliers are lining up to display the latest in education technology that will compliment the seminar and masterclass sessions. Professional associations will also be represented, including NAHT and NAPE (National Association for Primary Education). Keep an eye on the website for more details of exhibitors.
I’m certainly very excited by the line up of speakers and presenters, and what they are offering to visitors. This kind of CPD is so important, as it gives classroom teachers and Computing Coordinators a taste of what is out there, and of what other practitioners are achieving in their own settings. This will give them an informed choice about how to develop the subject back in school.
So – DO we need another Ed-Tech show? Yes – as long as it’s this one ;)
To register for your seminar session visit: http://www.eventdata.co.uk/Forms/Default.aspx?FormRef=EduA7Visitor
