Welcome to a VERY special two-part edition of EdTech Unwrapped: Lessons from Leaders, where we pause to reflect on the standout themes and powerful ideas shaping the future of education technology.

This week’s EdTech Unwrapped: Lessons from Leaders is the conclusion of the two-part episode, highlighting some of the leading ideas from the series so far.

We turn attention to students’ learning, exploring how their understanding of tech & AI plays into EdTech strategies, and the role of students’ voices in shaping it.

This episode covers

• The rapid adoption of AI and digital tools among students, outpacing many educators
• The essential role of critical thinking and digital literacy in helping students safely use new technologies
• Streamlining digital ecosystems in schools, with a focus on single sign-on and minimising cognitive load
• The significance of understanding digital economies such as influencer culture, and how these trends are shaping students’ lives
• Building effective digital strategies by fostering collaboration between educators and students

Looking at your school’s digital strategy? SMART’s free EdTech assessment tool is designed to help you ask the right questions and have the right conversations for an aligned, cohesive digital strategy that will stand the test of time.

After answering the questions in the quiz, you will receive an immediate, individual comprehensive report filled with precise recommendations designed to enhance and refine your school’s digital strategy. Get started aligning your digital strategy here!

Duncan Verry

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-verry-aa44175/

Alice Whitby

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-whitby-29149a50/

John Jones

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-jones-74795241/

Dr Alexandra Read

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-read/

Reasat Chowdhury

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rchowdhury/

David Olinger

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidolinger/

Praveen Raju

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkalidindi/

Sushma Bharath

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sushma-bharath-5776341/

James Browning

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrowning22/

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/

Discover SMART: https://www.smarttech.com/education

https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-technologies/

Welcome to a VERY special two-part edition of EdTech Unwrapped: Lessons from Leaders, where we pause to reflect on the standout themes and powerful ideas shaping the future of education technology.

In this first part, we shine a spotlight on teachers, exploring how EdTech and AI are not just revolutionising student learning, but transforming the teaching experience itself.

Duncan guides us through a dynamic selection of best bits from across the series so far, with pointers on not just what technologies are ideal for teachers, but why they can no longer be ignored, and how to integrate them effectively.

Be sure to return for the second part of this episode, where we’ll be shining a spotlight on how EdTech affects the student experience.

This episode covers

• Empowering teachers with EdTech and AI to reduce workload, enhance wellbeing, and reclaim teaching time
• The role of structured training, support, and collaborative thinking in successful technology adoption
• Real-world classroom strategies, including using real-time data and digital tools for more effective and efficient teaching
• Building trust and partnerships between educators and EdTech developers to address practical challenges and innovate responsibly
• Safeguarding student and staff data by adopting secure, ethical AI tools with clear guidelines and ongoing education

Looking at your school’s digital strategy? SMART’s free EdTech assessment tool is designed to help you ask the right questions and have the right conversations for an aligned, cohesive digital strategy that will stand the test of time.

After answering the questions in the quiz, you will receive an immediate, individual comprehensive report filled with precise recommendations designed to enhance and refine your school’s digital strategy. Get started aligning your digital strategy here!

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/

Discover SMART: https://www.smarttech.com/education

https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-technologies/

At a time where industry titans like Jaguar Land Rover and M&S can be hit by cyber attacks, safe implementation of tech systems should be a top priority for ALL schools.

The Dean Trust’s Mike Ward has been instrumental in leading a strategy which sees a trust capable of implementing safe, smart technologies in just 48 hours…

Working at speed is one thing, but bringing students, parents and educators along on that journey is another, so join us on EdTech Unwrapped to explore how The Dean Trust is able to achieve all this across its 13 schools.

This episode covers

• Strategic and pragmatic technology transformation in education
• The integration of modern IT systems and cybersecurity within a multi-academy trust
• Careful transition from legacy systems to innovative platforms
• Thoughtful and cautious adoption of AI tools to ensure privacy, data security, and a measured roll-out
• Importance of gathering evidence of technology's impact through both quantitative and qualitative feedback from teachers, students, and parents
• Ongoing plans for infrastructure investment and closer curriculum-technology alignment

Looking at your school’s digital strategy? SMART’s free EdTech assessment tool is designed to help you ask the right questions and have the right conversations for an aligned, cohesive digital strategy that will stand the test of time.

After answering the questions in the quiz, you will receive an immediate, individual comprehensive report filled with precise recommendations designed to enhance and refine your school’s digital strategy. Get started aligning your digital strategy here!

Duncan Verry

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-verry-aa44175/

Mike Ward

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-ward-miet-citp-cisa-8993484a/

The Dean Trust

https://thedeantrust.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dean-trust/

Discover Bett: https://uk.bettshow.com/

Discover SMART: https://www.smarttech.com/education

https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-technologies/