Al’s
#EdTech Blog
Sharing insights and articles on
#EdTech, #DigCit and #Education
Blog posts
5 EdTech opportunities that will emerge in 2022
There is a certain perspective that comes from being in the EdTech industry for over 30 years, and while I thought I had seen it all, nothing could have prepared me (or anyone else) for a global pandemic. Not only did the pandemic upend our lives, it looks like we will be managing and battling surges and outbreaks of COVID variants for a lifetime or more.
Safer Internet Day 2022
Safer Internet Day 2022: Empowering students to become responsible and respectful digital citizens. Al Kingsley, discusses how schools can help teach students respectful and responsible online behaviours and awareness on this year’s Safer Internet Day
Online Safety
Approaches to digital safeguarding
In 2021 the online safety of students became a major concern. Al Kingsley has some starting points for a planned approach to digital safeguarding.
‘Levelling-up’: The emerging role of education technology
With children finally back in the physical classroom after more than a year-and-a-half’s worth of disruption, and the appointment of a new Secretary of State for Education, many in the sector feel cautiously optimistic as we slowly inch back to “normality”.
Advancing your school’s digital strategy
Of course, the most significant change is undoubtedly the increased use of blended learning – a change, I believe, that’s here to stay.
There is growing evidence of its benefits, and EdTech in general, particularly in terms of students’ engagement – and it offers much more flexibility for teachers and students alike.
How to select new software for your school
There is no doubt about it – selecting new software for a school is a daunting process. There are many similar, but competing, solutions to sift through, as well as the significant time and effort needed to evaluate them – not just to see how they work, but to ensure they will cover all bases. All of this is made even more difficult with the added pressure of ensuring that the vast sum of money your school is about to spend will not be in vain
Forget one size fits all, we need tech that flexes
Anyone who knows me will know I am an advocate for the effective use of technology in schools. Often, the EdTech narrative focuses on the classroom space, but of course, the last 18 months have helped remove those physical constraints and encouraged us to think of EdTech playing a role irrespective of where the learner – or teacher, for that matter – may be.
Advancing your school’s digital strategy
….the most significant change is undoubtedly the increased use of blended learning – a change, I believe, that’s here to stay.
There is growing evidence of its benefits, particularly in terms of students’ engagement – and it offers much more flexibility for teachers and students alike
EdTech: Four Steps for selecting new software for your school
When choosing new EdTech for your school, we must ensure value for money and impact. Al Kingsley breaks down four key steps to achieving this
There is no doubt about it: selecting new software for a school is a daunting process.
EdTech: Why schools have to become savvy shoppers
A MAT chair of trustees and edtech CEO outlines why, despite reforms aimed at helping schools with their buying decisions, there will always be a need to know how any tool fits into a wider strategy
Governors and Trustees: Overcoming the barriers to recruitment
Governor recruitment seems to be getting tougher and tougher. Al Kingsley considers why governance is a great role, the barriers that exist to recruitment, and how we might start to overcome them
Lifting the lid on school governance
Skills shortages are a concern in many industries across the UK right now. Healthcare, construction, farming, technology-based sectors and more are all struggling to recruit skilled people to fill vacant roles. It’s not going to be solved any time soon. According to the Learning and Work Institute’s prediction, there will be a shortfall of 2.5 million highly skilled workers by 2030.
How the UK can level up by bridging the digital divide
It is vital that our education system is working to bridge the digital divide for future generations. As the pandemic subsides, the rate of digital innovation shows no sign of slowing and continues to exacerbate the digital skill gap.
My School Governance Handbook
With nearly two decades of school governance experience across Infant, Primary, Secondary, All-Through and Alternative Provision schools and academies, distilled into an easy-to-read format, “My School Governance Handbook” aims to make the complex world of school governance simple and accessible to all.
Ensuring every student receives the “right support” in the “right place” at the “right time”
Al Kingsley explores the ways schools can best use digital technology to support and innovate education delivery for those with mental health, learning or physical needs.
Do Your Students Have the Confidence to Keep Themselves Safe Online?
What is self-confidence and why do we need it? Some people have it in abundance; others would love to have more.
‘Soaring rates of mental ill health are prompting schools to refresh their wellbeing strategies’
As the UK’s youth mental health crisis reaches breaking point, with approximately 1.5 million under-18s needing new or additional help with their mental wellbeing as a direct result of Covid-19, schools are facing a fresh wave of students needing extra support.
4 Tips to Ensure Your School Selects the Right Tools for Blended Learning
Learning methods change constantly; this much we know. As technology forms the foundation of schools’ efforts to prepare students for the future, it makes sense to incorporate it into teaching and learning as much as possible right now…
It’s time for a different mindset on digital security and privacy in EdTech
Our children’s immersion in education technology isn’t going to slow down, which means technology-related privacy and security can’t either. We’re never going to reach a point where we put our pencils down and say, “We’re all safe and secure now, so we don’t need to worry anymore.”
Three Tips For Managing Technology In The Hybrid Workspace
The future of work has arrived. the enforced shift to remote working in 2020 largely proved a surprise for business leaders, many of whom found that, contrary to their expectations, productivity did not plummet.
What Is Digital Poverty and Why EdTech Is Responsible for Driving Change?
The shift to remote and hybrid learning catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many challenges and inequities in our current education system. One such challenge that has recently been at the forefront of my mind is digital poverty, the inability to interact fully with the online world — when, where and how an individual needs.
Ignore NAEP. Better Yet, Abolish It
Why we can’t turn our back on EdTech
Despite its overwhelmingly devastating impact for many across the world, many moments of connection, progress and collaboration were discovered amongst Covid-related disruption.
How can edtech ignite learning engagement?
How is technology helping to keep students engaged in their education and what safety issues must schools consider? Al Kingsley explains