The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

Technology

Hamish Mackenzie

Reimagining learning: how Covid-19 can change our approach for good

Hamish Mackenzie explores the gains that remote learning has brought in terms of choice, collaboration and productivity and makes the case for locking in these benefits. Now this cog has turned, it is important that the rachet comes down behind it to lock in the gains What have we learned from...
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Jenn Alexander

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest app of them all?

Apps can be the perfect platform to keep parents in the fold. Jenn Alexander explains how schools can embrace this technology and streamline their communication. Studies have shown that the more engaged the parent, the better the student performs. From a safeguarding perspective, reaching parents...
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Elizabeth Holmes

'Alexa, teach me': the future of artificial intelligence in education

Elizabeth Holmes caught up with Miles Berry to discuss the benefits and ethical dilemmas of bringing AI into the classroom. The potential role of artificial intelligence (AI) is something of a new frontier for schools. But should we not be finding out as much as we can, so that we can maximise the...
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John Viner

Smart watches: new tech needs new solutions

In face of a booming wearable technology market, it’s high time we find ways to incorporate rather than exclude these gadgets in schools. Analysts at Research and Markets, a market research organisation, have estimated that the wearable technology market will grow at a compound annual growth rate...
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Anita Foster

Help pupils make memories, not take photos!

We snap, share and store our memories all the time - but if we truly want to help children learn, we need to consider swapping tablets for trees. Many years ago, I was lucky enough to whale watch in New Zealand. Sperm whales just off the coast of the South Island. I have many photos, including...
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Diane Wilson

Igniting a passion for science with technology

How can teachers ensure that able children are excited by science and appropriately challenged in ways that are motivating and rewarding? Go straight to How we identify gifted science learners Seeing science in action Challenge and real-life application Linking with experts and industry Pupil...
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Alex Masters

Schools that reject technology are not switched on

A Steiner school has rejected technology in the classroom. Alex Masters thinks they’re missing a trick. A recent Guardian report ‘ Could Steiner schools have a point on children, tablets and tech ?’ reveals that a Steiner school in Nottingham has rejected tablets, computers and whiteboards in...
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Gareth D Morewood

Assistive technology in access arrangements

During exams, organising access arrangements can be a nightmare. Gareth D Morewood explains what he learnt using assistive technology with pupils with SEND. Previously on SENCology, Amanda Hipkiss has written about access arrangements and the constantly changing rules and during this last week the...
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