The Ken Loach of Educational ICT? (!!!?!)

Thank you to Bob Harrison, for this very thoughtful reflection on our session at the Education Innovation event.

Ken Loach has been the filmtrack to my life. His portrayal of the PE teacher in the film KES always has me in stitches and at the same time makes me cry as he drives home a serious and profound point.

So it is with Tim Rylands.

I have seen Tim perform (and it is a performance) on many occasions over the past few years.

We worked together on the BSF Leadership programme and have shared many a conference line up.

So I was delighted to see he was on the agenda for the Education Innovation conference in Manchester (why don’t education conferences come to Manchester more often) and his session started just after mine finished.

Mine was a dull and boring update on the Teaching Schools and what they are trying to do with ICT whereas Tim’s was a kaleidoscope and magical mystery tour through how digital technologies can engage and inspire children to be creative, collaborative co-constructors and producers not just consumers.

Unlike some other well known headline conference presenters whose presentations I have now memorised word perfect and could deliver the punchlines on cue Tim’s performance is never the same and is always fresh and brings new perspectives as well as new technologies.

So when you look at the images of smiling faces on Tim’s website do not be fooled. At the very moment Sarah has snapped the laughter a very serious learning penny is about to drop and some profound learning takes place.

Whilst Tim is highly amusing he also recognises that the education of our children to prepare them for the digital future is a serious and that technology can and does really inspire, engage, motivate and enhance learning.

He has dedicated his life to  sharing that message and for that I am grateful.

Wow! Thank you Bob for your kind words, and perceptive thoughts. We are so glad you found things useful too. I cannot always promise that everything will be new, and different, (“I am eco friendly and do try to recycle a certain amount of my material” : – D ) but we do try to be up to the minute, and include as much fresh, and different for each session as possible. This Back to Their Future presentation has been a delight (and a lot of joyous struggle) to develop, and we look forward to sharing, and expanding, it some more. Again, thanks for your thoughts, Bob.

Bob Harrison, Education Adviser, Toshiba Information Systems (UK) Ltd – Consultant, National College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services- Chair,Teaching Schools Technology Advisory Board.

“Thank you for two wonderful days!”

Thank you to Gary, Sam & Martin for sending us their thoughts on our 2 days at  St Thomas More RC Primary, Hull.

Absolutely fantastic! Words are not enough to describe the fun the children have had playing with words. Inspiring, stimulating, enjoyable! We were all expecting a technology overload to help stimulate learning within our school. Hang on… What is that noise? As the children entered the hall to the sound of a howling wind it was clear this was going to be very special.

In the background, the teachers began wittering… “He’s actually having to tell those boys to put their pencils down!” “Look at him having a go!” “Have you seen the smile on her face!” “Listen to the vocabulary they’re using and that argument was amazing!” Throughout, Tim used a range of classroom management techniques that we couldn’t wait to steal and add a little sparkle.

A day later, faces aching from the smiles, minds reinvigorated, resources sorted, twitter and a blog ready to share our writing with the world and each other. Pupils and staff are all eager to develop our minds. Translators, experts, interviewers, the magical landscape of Myst to explore – we can’t wait.