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BESA CORNER
This month, in our ongoing feature highlighting the work of members of the UK education suppliers’ trade body BESA, we hear from technology supplier CREATE EDUCATION; and we learn more about the importance of EdTech training from education technology company PROMETHEAN.
Pupils at Westhope Primary School use a unique opportunity to develop their digital skills for charity
Year 5 and 6 pupils at Westhope Primary School have used innovative 3D technology to raise money for their school charity, developing their digital enterprise skills alongside their empathy for others. Westhope Primary loaned an
Ultimaker 2+ connect from The CREATE Education project, allowing them to complete this project through their design technology and computing curriculum time. The CREATE Education project supports educators to embed 3D
printing and additive manufacturing technologies into their classrooms so that young people can develop a range of skills that are needed for future high-quality STEAM-based careers. The popular loan scheme, which offers teachers the chance to try this technology in their classrooms for 5 weeks, is just one way that they do this. With the loan scheme, teachers not only receive the hardware, but they also receive a roll of filament and a setup call with a technical adviser who will set them up and get them on their way. At Westhope Primary, the pupils had clear aims and objectives for
the project, which included developing planning skills, enterprise skills, and 3D modeling and design skills. Teacher Mr Thoburn said, “The children completed the lessons
about 3D modelling using the Teach computing curriculum. They then used their 3D modelling skills to create key chain with names and words on them. The pupils decided how much they should sell the keychains to make money for our school charity.” The charity that Westhope Primary School is supporting is Tiny Lives.
Tiny Lives is a Newcastle-based charity that supports premature or sick newborns and their families. Created in 1983, by two doctors, Tiny Lives supports the neonatal unit at Princess Mary Maternity hospital in Newcastle. Tiny Lives supports over 750 families annually and needs to raise over £350,000 a year in order to do so, so every penny that can be raised really is needed. Mr Thoburn added, “The 3D printer really engaged all of the
children as it gave them a purpose for their 3D modelling project” A pupil from Westhope Primary said, “When I came into school, I
was really excited to see that we had a 3D Printer in our classroom. It was so cool!” Another pupil commented on the feedback forms, “I enjoyed seeing
my design come to life! I would like to do my own project in the future, maybe a bigger project!”. In total, the pupils at Westhope Primary School raised £40 which
will be added to their charity fundraising total for the year. This is amazing work - and CREATE Education are really proud of the way that the pupils and teachers used the loan scheme. Michelle Chatterley, Head of The CREATE Education Project said,
“At CREATE Education, we look to support teachers and educators to embed 3D printing into their classroom and our popular loan scheme is a really good way for them to try out a project. It’s great that Westhope Primary has used the chance to raise money for Tiny Lives, showing how transformative the use of 3D printing can be to the lives of others. A big congratulations to all of the staff and pupils involved.” Do you want to loan a 3D printer from The CREATE Education
Project, or do you want to find out more about their free resources, free webinars, or other school support? If you do, why not head to their website:
uwww.createeducation.com If you need more advice or you want to speak to their team of education experts, email Jo at
uenquiries@createeducation.com
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www.education-today.co.uk Training matters: EdTech in the
classroom Comment by BEN BROWN, Head of Strategic Relationships and Market Development at Promethean and Trustee and Vice Chair of Astrea Academy Trust
The lack of access to quality training provision has long been a challenge for teachers. It’s also been consistently identified as a key trend in Promethean’s State of Technology in Education UKI Report, which asks educators to share experiences of their schools’ priorities.
In the latest report, teachers said they are not receiving the training and support they need to utilise EdTech effectively. With budget and time constraints being named as barriers, only 15 percent of respondents felt they received “full training” when it came to technology. While it’s not surprising that these constraints were cited as barriers, it doesn’t change the fact that training is an essential component of any EdTech strategy. I’d even go so far as to say that any investment in technology is virtually wasted if teachers are not equipped with the skills to use it confidently in the classroom. This is where EdTech manufacturers need to step in.
Tapping into training In an ideal world, any investment in EdTech should be supplied as standard with at least some level of training provision. Understanding the basics of how it works, how it aligns with curriculum delivery, and how it can support student outcomes, are all essential for making the most out of classroom technology. Cidari Multi-Academy Trust in Blackburn has long recognised this, working closely with manufacturer partners to ensure that appropriate processes are put in place for integration with existing EdTech as well as training. For several years Promethean has assisted Cidari in this area, providing responsive customer service support as well as access to training materials and resources. That said, we know that this isn’t always the case, which may go some way
to explaining why so many teachers noted training as lacking in the State of Technology in Education Report.
So, if you’re a teacher who has new technology, or even if it has been installed for a while, the first place to tap into training is the manufacturer. As a minimum there should be video tutorials on YouTube, or quick guides available online. Depending on the EdTech being used, there may be more advanced support available. For example, interactive flat panel displays have more extensive features and functionality than the early interactive whiteboards. In this instance, find out whether the manufacturer provides face-to-face or virtual sessions to help orientate around the new capabilities.
There’s also a growing number of online CPD platforms, and Learn Promethean is one such example. Launched to make free training more easily accessible to teachers who want to develop their ActivPanel skills, it now includes a range of certified courses that are self-guided and self-paced, as well as shorter and easily digestible training resources.
Beyond the manufacturer, social media is an increasingly rich source of ideas as well as a platform for sharing best practice. Search hashtags like #EdTech #EdTechtips for ideas and to connect with colleagues who teach the same subjects or have similar interests.
Ultimately the true potential of EdTech can only be unlocked if teachers are empowered with the skills and knowledge to use it confidently in the classroom. This all starts with making quality and practical training more readily available – and with school budgets so stretched, this must start with the EdTech manufacturers.
uPrometheanWorld.com/gb/ July/August 2022
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