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/

As with all new EdTech, we need to consider two things: its impact in the classroom, and its impact on students’ brains - for better, and for worse…

As this week’s guest on EdTech Unwrapped warns, digital tools are able to create a sense of ‘cognitive offload’ which switches off students’ critical thought processes.

Dare Pitan is the Digital Education Lead at the University of Birmingham Dubai, and this week he takes us through how students and educators are shaping a strategy which enhances students’ engagement, rather than eroding it.

This episode covers

• Overcoming resistance and fostering acceptance of digital technology among educators
• The importance of demonstrating both the usefulness and ease of use for technology adoption
• The impact of AI and digital tools on time management, assessment, critical thinking, and academic integrity in universities
• The value of student voice and feedback in shaping the integration and responsible use of technology
• Collaborative initiatives and ongoing projects that promote AI integration

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/

Dare Pitan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dare-pitan/

University of Birmingham Dubai

https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-birmingham-dubai/

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

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

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

What does it take to make the huge migration from one EdTech ecosystem to another? How do you bring everyone together for that transition, and leave no student or teacher behind?

Chrishantha Dias is Director of IT at North London Collegiate School Dubai, and as he headed up their school's journey from Microsoft to Google, the focus on teacher involvement and strategies for overcoming resistance during the transition was second-to-none.

Join Chrish in conversation with Duncan on EdTech Unwrapped this week as they also delve into integrating AI and generative technology with privacy at the core, teacher empowerment,and how to showcase tech for good.

This episode covers

• Strategies for migrating from one system to another, as North London Collegiate School Dubai did from Microsoft to Google
• The role of planning, teacher involvement, and overcoming resistance to change
• Using technology to monitor and guide digital behaviours, assisting with safeguarding and student wellbeing
• Thoughtful evaluation and cautious adoption of AI platforms in schools
• Sharing best practices and collaborating with other schools internationally, while adapting approaches to different cultures and demographics
• How technology promises to personalise learning, support special educational needs, and involve students in shaping the school's tech landscape

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/

Chrishantha Dias

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

North London Collegiate School Dubai

https://www.linkedin.com/school/north-london-collegiate-school-dubai/

https://nlcsdubai.ae/

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

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

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

The Creative Education Trust is pioneering technology adoption across 17 schools, and it’s the collaboration between each which drives EdTech forward for all.

Ash Mudaliar, Director of IT and EdTech at the trust, joins us for a dive into their strategies for empowering countless students and educators across the country.

We’ll explore frameworks for tech adoption, how to inspire teachers’ confidence, and how individual schools sharing their experiences can filter through to an entire trust.

This episode covers

• Strategic development of EdTech in line with educational priorities
• Building teacher confidence and competence for meaningful technology integration
• Safe and policy-driven adoption of AI
• Digital accessibility & inclusion for students with SEND and EAL needs
• Collaboration & knowledge sharing throughout schools within a trust

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/

Ash Mudaliar

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-mudaliar/

Creative Education Trust

https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-education-trust/

https://www.creativeeducationtrust.org.uk/

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

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

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

What does it mean to truly prepare students and teachers for a world shaped by digital innovation and AI?

O’Dea High School is building digital literacy from the ground up, training educators to thrive alongside their students, fluent in the tech that matters most.

David Olinger, Director of Digital Strategy, joins us on EdTech Unwrapped with his candid insights on the challenges and opportunities of AI in the classroom, leaders’ roles in tech adoption, and why wellbeing remains at the heart of every decision!

This episode covers

• The importance of preparing students for future readiness, including both digital and life skills
• Challenges and strategies for training teachers to keep pace with rapidly evolving EdTech
• Streamlined, consistent digital ecosystems in schools to reduce cognitive load for students
• How leaders create a positive environment for AI adoption
• Security, student wellbeing, and the risks of over-dependence on AI

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/

David Olinger

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

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

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

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

The 3-18 Education Trust has a huge role in unifying their schools’ approach to EdTech, and heading up that mammoth task is Director of IT, Tim Goodman!

Harnessing data to create a better environment for teachers and learners has never been more possible, but only when schools are empowered as they are within the trust…

So join Tim, chatting with Duncan Verry, and explore what turns data points into progress, and how collaboration and passion transforms classrooms across the trust’s schools!

This episode covers

• Integrating technology across a growing multi-academy trust
• The challenges and benefits of migrating schools onto a single technology stack
• Leveraging AI and data intelligence platforms to improve decision-making across diverse school systems
• The importance of professional development and ongoing training for educators
• Collaboration, shared learning, and open communication both within the trust and with external partners
• Balancing centralisation with respect for individual schools’ autonomy

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/

Tim Goodman

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

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

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

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