Developing a digital strategy in your school can be a stressful topic. Simply because of the scale of the task. Questions that are repeatedly generated can be unending… is the hardware sufficiently future-proof? Will teacher usage of the hardware present a good return on investment? Is the license fee worth the money? Are there cheaper/better/more accessible alternatives? What do staff want/need trained on? What about AI? These questions can always run through your head because technology keeps moving forward and improving. What is current today will be out of date in 6-12 months. Look at t ..read more

Digital literacy and how we define it is an important but often overlooked topic in educational technology. The process of defining terms is an academic procedure and so draws some criticism of being dry, boring or irrelevant (or from personal experience a good way to increase the word count in a univeristy asignment) but it can be useful in drawing distinct pararemters for what we mean, what we don’t mean and what the outcome/consequences of those definitions mean for us in the classroom. One such example is concerned with retrieval practice. There is a discussion among teachers about what ..read more

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a buzzword across industries, and its impact on education is certainly not being ignored. There are lots of discussions happening across classrooms, staffrooms, schools and on social media about how to make the best possible use of this new tool and what it means for teaching, assessment, learning and future employment. Higher education have a freedom to set their own directions as ratified by individual university senates. Some American universities have banned its use, others embrace it (with citation though). Post-primary schools are currently stuc ..read more

This post is close to my heart as a Computer Science teacher and Digital Technology Subject leader, I am constantly pushing the boundaries in school to expand student knowledge, ability and interest in this area. In today’s digital age, computer science (but more commonly understood and seen in the presence of technology) has become an integral part of our lives. From the devices we use daily to the complex algorithms that power our online experiences, computer science is everywhere. But what exactly is computer science, and how does it shape the world around us? Computer science is the stu ..read more

Esports, or electronic sports, have experienced a rapid rise in popularity over the past decade. What was once considered a niche hobby has now become a global phenomenon, attracting millions of viewers and players. As a result, schools are starting to recognize the educational and developmental benefits that esports can offer their students. In this guide, we will explore the various aspects of setting up a successful esports program in schools, from choosing the right gaming equipment to measuring the program’s impact. By harnessing the power of esports, schools have the opportunity to en ..read more

In today’s fast-paced digital age, the need for continuous learning has never been more crucial. The world is rapidly evolving, and staying stagnant is no longer an option. Continuous learning is the process of acquiring new knowledge, skills, and competencies throughout your career. It goes beyond formal education and encourages individuals to embrace a lifelong learning mindset. In this article, we will explore the importance of continuous learning, its benefits for personal growth and professional development, and how it can lead to career advancement. We will also discuss practical ways ..read more

In this post, we’re going to look at the reasons why we need to evaluate our EdTech use. Reflection and evaluation are an importnat part of any process: how do we know what we are doing is effective? How can we improve upon what we are doing? How can it be better or more effective for our pupils? All of these questions are important to consider when reflecting and evaluating what we do in the classroom. And they are just as important when we evaluate the tools we use in EdTech. Our EdTech use needs to add value otherwise using them may waste time and resources, and even worse, introduce con ..read more

As an ICT/Digital Technology teacher in a post-primary academic selective grammar school, the idea of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into the classroom can be both exciting and daunting. AI can be a powerful tool to enhance student learning, streamline administrative tasks, and provide personalised instruction. However, there are also ethical considerations and challenges that must be addressed when implementing AI in education. In this article, we will explore the various ways AI is being used in education, its potential benefits and drawbacks, and how to implement it in your e ..read more

As part of my own CPD this year, I am completing a course with the Chartered College of Teachers entitled ‘Development of Teaching Practice Award’. Development of your own teaching ability should never be solely focused on your subject area. Yes, that is important but any teacher who has been in the classroom for more than 5 minutes will know that unless you can control the room, you’re not teaching anything to anyone. As part of this course I read an article by Aleisha Lewis (Deputy Headteacher, NPQ Programme Lead at CofE Foundation for Educational Leadership) on ‘The Study of Expertise ..read more

A short post today, and not one I was planning to make, but FeedSpot has enforced a quick change of direction! It’s always nice to be recognised for something you do – not so much for the ego, but that what you do is valued and useful to someone else. This post highlights this very idea, because The EdTechist has been included in the 25 Best UK Educational Technology Blogs and Websites on FeedSpot! What has really interested me about this list is that I haven’t been aware of many of them – which means there are teachers and writers like myself across the UK who are honing their craft in wh ..read more