Hey there! It's Kirsty Treherne, Education Lead at iAM Compliant. I wear many hats – advising on best practices, sharing expertise, and ensuring our products are top-notch. Recently, I visited the BETT Show for some research and networking, and let me tell you, it was a blast. Here are my key takeaways:
Technology Tackling Inequalities
First off, let's talk about Professor Jason Arday. This guy is the youngest-ever Black professor at Cambridge, and he conquered teenage illiteracy like a boss. With Charlene White, Jason spilled the beans on how technology can be a superhero in addressing educational inequalities and championing social justice. He dropped some jaw-dropping stats on ethnic minorities' under-representation in academia. Only 60 out of 24,000 academic professors in the UK are black women – that's a wake-up call! Despite the challenges, Jason's unconventional journey is a testament to the power of self-belief and confidence.
Easing the Teacher Grind
Next up, we've got Lee Parkinson, aka Mr P ICT. He's a primary school teacher and a tech wizard. Lee spilled the tea on using technology to cut down teacher workload and jazz up the curriculum. As someone who's been in the teaching trenches (like one of the 40,000 teachers who left education last year – yeah, that's me), Lee's insights hit close to home. Even though I missed a chance to meet him, his talk left me nodding my head in agreement.
AI: The Game Changer
Now, let's dive into the AI realm with Rowena Chung and Lord Jim Knight. These two rocked the stage with their talk on how AI can be a game-changer in education. From lightening the load on teachers to giving students a tech-infused learning experience – they painted a vivid picture of the AI revolution.
Deaf Awareness Matters
Tasha Ghouri, a model, podcaster, and global ambassador for DeafKidzUK, brought some serious wisdom. Her talk focused on boosting confidence through creativity and making higher education more inclusive. Being a fellow deaf warrior, her advocacy hit home. It's amazing when people in the limelight like Tasha use their influence to improve education and community.
BETT Awards Buzz
The BETT Awards were a hoot! Julia Garvey from BESA and Louisa Hunter, BETT Director at Hyve Group, dropped some truth bombs in their speeches. Their passion for EdTech was contagious, showcasing how the industry is geared up for positive change.
In a nutshell, BETT was a rollercoaster of insights and inspiration. The energy and commitment from folks like Jason, Lee, Rowena, Jim, Tasha, Julia, and Louisa prove that education technology is a force to be reckoned with. Here's to the future of learning – tech style!
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