David Rogers

    I’ve been talking to lots of people about technology recently and, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I think it’s worth saying a few things. Again.  I know that the use of technology in school makes teaching and learning better.  It can smooth the ‘back office’ and planning tasks to free up time.  It can provide swift and accurate data.  It can be used in transformative ways in the classroom.  For example, set up a geocache or a travelbug.  Set it off on an adventure.  Track it.  The map above is my son’s travelbug.  It’s not up-to-date. It’s now in Ney York City, USA.  I know that the connections are being made in your mind.  Geography, Art, Maths, English, History, Science….  It can all hinge off a £2 piece of metal and a smartphone. The problem I do have is with the idea that schools should subscribe to one flavour of technology.  This is not only mental, it just doesn’t make pedagogi...

I’m very excited to be involved in the Google Teacher Academy that will take place in London on the 27-18th of October.  Mainly because the NoTosh team are behind a redesign of the programme.  I’m excited because I know that I’ll be working with a great bunch of people: the people who have, and are yet to, apply.  Details of what is involved can be found here , and the application form here . Now, I know that many of you may be put off by the fact that it’s Google.  I’d still urge you to consider applying. Although there is a bound to be a but of corporate stuff, it’s essentially a bunch of very passionate educators getting together to talk about learning. In fact, the experience would be greatly enhanced by those that put teaching and learning first and see the potential that technology has to improve student outcomes. There are many huge challenges faced in schools every single day, and there isn’t a technological solution to them all.  However, though ...