BESA CORNER
In our regular feature highlighting the work of members of the UK education suppliers’ trade body BESA, Education Today this month hears from CENTURY TECH, an AI platform for schools; and CHRIS JONES, Chairman of school furniture supplier Witley Jones.
CENTURY Tech: the artificially intelligent platform that
learns how every brain learns The two largest issues in education are: the ‘one size fits all’ delivery of education and the immense workload strains faced by teachers. A revolutionary EdTech company called CENTURY Tech shows how bringing artificial intelligence (AI) into schools is at the forefront of solving these issues.
With an array of unique needs, it’s no surprise that students can get left behind in the classroom thus creating ‘learning gaps’. By moving away from the ‘one size fits all’ approach and by using the most advanced technology to provide a personalised and adaptive education, CENTURY Tech has proven the benefits of using AI to increase learner engagement and improve learning outcomes.
“You can rely on the artificial intelligence behind the platform to personalise a learning pathway for each student. This works particularly well when it comes to revision, as CENTURY knows exactly what to set and when. Our Y11 students really liked this in the run up to their mocks, as it took out the stress of prioritising.” Sam Wignell, Head of Science, Technology & Horticulture, Ansford Academy The platform uses algorithm-based adaptivity and leverages recent advances in big data, machine learning and behavioural science allowing learning journeys as unique as each student, carefully crafted to suggest the most useful topic at exactly the right time. Gaps in foundational knowledge are quickly identified and remedied, weaknesses are scaffolded and strengths are built upon. Rather than a student having to wait for work to be collected, misunderstandings to be corrected, gaps to be plugged and weaknesses to be addressed, CENTURY can intervene at the point of need.
“I like the way CENTURY adapts to my level of learning and helps me understand topics. It is also fun and easy to use.” CENTURY student
Between lesson planning, marking and supporting a classroom of students with individual needs, teachers are well-known to have ‘unmanageable’ workloads. Utilising artificial intelligence has allowed CENTURY to automate everyday tasks like marking, homework tracking and data management to reduce workload and allow teachers to focus on what matters most: teaching!
“CENTURY is part of the reformation of our workforce and our delivery. We need solutions that add value and remove pressure, but crucially enable students to take charge of their own learning.” Sir Mark Grundy, Executive Principal, Shireland Collegiate Academy
“My favourite part of using CENTURY is the data. It is so easy to get a detailed insight into how your classes are doing. There are no spreadsheets, no data entry, no marking. Just easy to interpret dashboards which magically update themselves – LIVE! Not only do the data dashboards look beautiful, they are really easy to interpret. At a glance, you can see exactly which students need support, and which would benefit from some more challenge.” Sam Wignell, Head of Science, Technology & Horticulture, Ansford Academy
Visit
www.century.tech to find out more
Witley Jones celebrate
20 years in business By CHRIS JONES, Chairman of Witley Jones
Witley Jones starts 2018 with a number of exciting new changes, following last November’s 20th anniversary of our formation. As founder of the business, I have recently moved into my new role as Chairman with Simon Downes being appointed as our new Managing Director. For those who don’t know us, Witley Jones designs, manufactures and installs bespoke furniture for schools and educational facilities throughout the UK, Europe
and across the globe from our base here in Worcestershire. After the landmark in November, it felt the perfect time for me to hand over the day-to-day running of the family business to Simon who will be assisted by my son and Director Matt Jones as well as Operations Director Tim Whent.
I will still be closely involved with the business working three days per week and helping our team to plan for the future as well as looking after several key clients.
Simon has been linked to the business for 20 years and was the first unofficial company guarantor, eventually buying into the business in 2007. Working together, we have managed to build the business to become one of the most reputable bespoke furniture manufacturers in the education sector.
With the recent purchase of two more factory units, this completes the latest phase of our development plan to streamline our machining, assembly and dispatch to meet growing demand and enable us to drive the business forward and to create even more job opportunities in the local area. We hope to continue to stay trusted, reliable and relevant within our customer base and push our design, manufacturing and installation boundaries further still. Things have evolved hugely over the last 20 years, with design and finish as important as durability and practicality.
Our recent project at The Stourport High School and VIth Form College was a prime example of this. Working closely with the school, architect and building contractor, our free-of-charge surveying and drawing service was utilised to establish exactly how each laboratory would work. After this consultation, our design team proposed a new and exciting two-person pupil bench with integrated electrics, water and gas taps. Each station provided the room with a hands-on learning environment as well as providing a sense of order in maximising the amount of pupils who could use the room at any given time. Using this innovate design, combined with brightness and vibrancy, the laboratories came to life. Both Witley Jones and the school were delighted with the end result! As we move forward and embark upon a new era at Witley Jones, we look to embrace the challenges that lie ahead. Whether it be a laboratory, classroom, changing room, ICT suite, common room or dining hall, we continue to enjoy designing, manufacturing and installing new furniture for the many great educational establishments in the UK and further afield.
For more information, visit:
www.witleyjones.com 14
www.education-today.co.uk February 2018
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
