From iPads to interactive whiteboards, technology is now ubiquitous in the classroom. Schools have spent £1.4 billion on technology in the past three years and innovative use of new technologies has the capacity to inspire and support learning, engage learners and create opportunities to stretch the most talented and support the most disadvantaged.
However, with technology being such a high spend item for schools, resourceful and practical applications of new technologies across the curriculum are vital in order to ensure value for money and deliver improved outcomes for learners.
Although pupils are using technology more than ever, both at home and in school, reports show that 66% of employers are dissatisfied with basic IT skills across the workforce, and with the number of students taking A-Level ICT falling by a third in six years, the introduction of a more rigorous computing curriculum has been a key part of the Government’s education reforms.
In July 2012 the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, announced the disapplication of the programmes of study and statutory assessment arrangements for ICT. Following a lengthy consultation period the Government announced new programmes of study for computing in July 2013. Whilst ICT focussed on IT literacy, the computing curriculum will introduce students across all key-stages to algorithms, programming, safe use of technology and computer architecture.
As the new computing curriculum presents new opportunities for introducing technology into the classroom, teachers across the country will need to assess their readiness to implement the new programmes of study.
With this in mind this timely and informative course will provide teachers and other education professionals with the opportunity to discuss and debate new and innovative uses of digital technology to support and transform learning in the classroom, motivating pupils to reach their full potential.
Delegates will also gain invaluable insights into the implementation and structure of the new computing curriculum and hear from fellow professionals and policy makers about the latest inspection and assessment requirements following the introduction of the curriculum.
By the end of the day delegates will have:
- Gained informative insights into assessment and observation under the new curriculum
- Learnt how to implement an effective e-safety policy
- Gained a greater understanding of the practical application of technology to support SEN and talented and gifted students
Who Should Attend?
Delegates will be drawn from local authorities, central government departments and bodies, schools, academia, trade unions and ICT providers, including; teachers and head teachers, ICT co-ordinators, school governors, directors of education, children and youth services, school inspectors, awarding bodies, examination officers, LEA officers, student representatives, parent teacher associations, safeguarding officers, SEN co-ordinators, elected members for education, school improvement advisors, connexions and education consultants.
Speakers:
Mr Alan Mackenzie - Training Consultant
Alan Mackenzie has worked with hundreds of schools and others across the country in the area of e-safety; a CEOP Ambassador and associate member of UKCCIS he has extensive experience advising at all levels from governance, strategy and policy to empowering individual groups of students, staff and parents. Alan is a strong believer that e-safety is an enabler in schools; by understanding and managing risk, schools can truly innovate with technology without the fear of e-safety risk.
Sanjesh Sharma - Training Consultant
As Director of New Ways to Learn and with over 18 years experience in education and technology, Sanjesh is all about embracing change, making new and exciting things happen and about helping everyone better-understand the digital world we live in. As a father of two tech-savvy boys, he has crash-test dummies at his disposal 24-7. With his last 6 years as Assistant Principal at a flagship and multi-award winning Academy in Nottingham, Sanjesh has presented all over the world and focuses on how ICT can strengthen pedagogy, building on the role of the new technologies, in particular Web applications, Tablets, Augmented Reality and Gaming. As a BETT 2014 Finalist with their Paper Portal, New Ways to Learn is bringing technologies like Augmented Reality to schools and academies to create new experiences to engage parents and carers.
Matt Buxton - Training Consultant
Matt is the Head of Learning Innovation at New Ways to Learn Ltd. He works with schools across the country and educational sector delivering training sessions to ensure that schools make the best and most effective use of ICT and new technologies to enhance teaching and learning. Previously, Matt taught for ten years at an inner-city Academy and was Curriculum Leader and Director of Learning Technologies. He has developed and implemented bespoke curricula and assessment processes and worked closely with organisations such as Becta, the SSAT and National College of School Leadership, and had numerous papers and articles published on the use of new technologies in the classroom.