361: How children can become involved in documenting their own learning with Tapestry
Ben Case from Tapestry, an online learning journal used in thousands of primary schools and early years settings, has been working with teaching staff at Arundel C of E Primary School for the past two years to support the work they’ve been doing to encourage pupils to reflect on, and talk about, their own learning. This has involved using Tapestry’s child login feature which enables children to add their own comments and videos describing their learning. The school has found that children are:
*Becoming better at explaining their learning
*Using more complex language
*Engaging more fully as active learners
You can read the Arundel CoE Primary School Case Studies here
Andrew Simpson, Headteacher, Arundel CoE Primary School also joins us to share his experience of using this feature from Tapestry and how it works within the school.
Website
Social Media Information
Twitter – https://twitter.com/Tapestry_FSF
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TapestryLearningJournal
Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
Get access to all 20 videos from the the summit at www.nape.org.uk/summit
For support with podcasting & video please visit www.educationonfire.com/media
360: Dolphin Computer Access with Noel Duffy & Josh Murphy
Assistive technology to improve accessibility in education for students with visual impairments or neurodiverse conditions.
Noel Duffy, Chairman of the Board, Dolphin Computer Access
Awarded the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) Lifetime Achievement Award in April 2022, for 30 years’ work empowering visually impaired people to succeed in a digital world, Noel Duffy has been the driving force behind many UK and international initiatives that bring low-cost access tech and reading systems to blind and partially sighted people facing digital exclusion.
Taking on the role of Managing Director at Dolphin Computer Access Ltd in 2007, Noel moved into the role of Chairman in 2020, where he continues to support the company’s mission to develop specialist assistive technology for people with visual impairments.
Noel also sits on the board of ATIA (Assistive Technology Industry Association) and is a member of APPGAT (All Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology). Additionally, Noel is on the board of trustees at New College Worcester, a UK residential school and college for young people who are blind or vision impaired.
Noel has a business degree from NUI Galway and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. Prior to his time at Dolphin, he ran an accounting and consulting practice in Worcester.
Joshua Murphy – Testing Apprentice at Dolphin Computer Access
Josh is completing his apprenticeship in Software Testing at Dolphin Computer Access, where he is part of a team that conducts a range of digital tests to ensure the software operates as it is designed to do. His role plays a key part of the business, and his attention to detail and problem-solving skills ensure the company creates an exceptional product.
Josh is blind and uses screen magnification and screen reading technology to access the information on his computer and other devices. Josh is also a Guide Dog owner, so can usually be found in the company of his Guide Dog, Horatio.
In addition to work and studies, Josh is a member of the GB Goalball Squad. He will be part of the team representing Great Britain in the IBSA World Games in August this year, and has ambitions to represent Great Britain in the next Paralympic Games.
Website
https://yourdolphin.com/Education
Social Media Information
www.facebook.com/YourDolphin/
twitter.com/yourdolphin/
linkedin.com/company/dolphin-computer-access
Resources Mentioned
Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
Get access to all 20 videos from the the summit at www.nape.org.uk/summit
For support with podcasting & video please visit www.educationonfire.com/media
359: A life in education with Prof Dr Ger Graus OBE
Prof Dr Ger Graus OBE, an iconic figure in the field of education.
A renowned expert on educational innovation and community engagement, he was the first Global Director of Education at the world-famous children’s entertainment-education company, KidZania, and founding CEO of the Children’s University. With his extensive experience at the very highest level of the learning industry, Professor Graus is a much sought-after advisor for organisations globally on the future direction of education. Driven by his famous mantra that “Children can only aspire to what they know exists” Professor Graus champions the cause of creativity, progress, equity, and innovation in children’s learning.
Dr Graus is a Visiting Professor at the National Research University, Moscow, Russia. He is a member of Bett’s Global Education Council; DIDAC India’s Advisory Board; Junior Achievement’s Worldwide Global Council; he chairs the Beaconhouse School System’s Advisory Board, Pakistan; advises the Fondazione Reggio Children, Italy, as well as, globally, Tata Consultancy Services and the Independent Schools Part-nership; and he has been invited to help shape the future of education in Dubai as a member of the Dubai Future Councils. In 2022, Dr Graus was a Juror for the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) in the Chil-dren & Young People category. He is also an Adviser to the Children’s Media Conference and Foundation, United Kingdom. In 2023, Ger Graus was invited to join the Global Teacher Prize Judging Academy. He is also a Member and the Education Spokesperson on the All-Party Parliamentary Group: Ethnicity Trans-plantation and Transfusion.
Prof Graus moved to the United Kingdom in 1983 where he began his teaching career, later becoming a Senior Inspector, and Education Director.
In the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List Ger was made an Honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to children. In 2018 he received the Global Education Leadership Award at the World Education Congress, India. In 2022, Ger was granted the award of Iconic Leader Creat-ing A Better World For All by the Women Economic Forum (WEF). In 2023, he was made a Companion of the Harry Volker Genootschap in The Netherlands.
In his book ‘Natural Born Learners’, author Alex Beard says: “In learning terms, Ger Graus is Jean-Jacques Rousseau meets Willy Wonka.”
Website
Social Media Information
https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-dr-ger-graus-obe-335bb6115/
Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
Get access to all 20 videos from the the summit at www.nape.org.uk/summit
358: Canaries Among US with Kayla Taylor
Canaries Among Us is a raw and honest exploration of the everyday lives of children challenged by learning differences, anxiety, and bullying.
Author Kayla Taylor blends science and poignant storytelling to create this necessary, timely, and stigma-tackling resource for anyone interested in child well-being.
A lifeline to those who learn and think differently, Canaries Among Us explores one of the most widespread threats to children: a lack of acceptance. This heart-rending exposé offers both a candid view into the ways unique children are mistreated and a searing indictment of society’s tendency to revictimize people in their times of greatest need. Throughout, Canaries Among Us points to an alternative: supporting, and even celebrating, the dazzling variety of our humanity.
The author is donating her profits from the first edition of Canaries Among Us to organizations promoting mental health, neurodiversity, and bullying prevention.
Website
Social Media Information
www.instagram.com/kaylataylorwrites/
Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
Get access to all 20 videos from the the summit at www.nape.org.uk/summit
357: Bullying and anxiety to America’s #1 Heavyweight Boxer with Cam F Awesome
Cam F Awesome is a Keynote Speaker, Diversity Consultant, Event Emcee, and a multi-time National Champion Heavyweight Olympic boxer. As a motivational speaker, Cam shares lessons he’s learned traveling to 30+ countries as Captain of Team USA. Cam’s Olympic journey was featured in the NETFLIX Original Documentary, COUNTERPUNCH!
Growing up, Cam dealt with academic and social challenges. Bullying and anxiety led him to join a boxing gym to protect himself. Cam had tried out but was unable to make any teams he tried out for. Boxing was the only available choice since no team had to be made.
Cam quickly fell in love with the sport. He realized his potential to be great and dedicated every waking moment to be the best boxer possible. Cam’s mental toughness served as his superpower in the ring. Within 2 years in the sport in 2008, Cam won the National Championship claiming the title as the #1 Super Heavyweight boxer in the country.
Cam holds 4 Golden Gloves Championships, 6 US Championships, 3 PAL National Championships, 6 Ringside Championships, and 3 Olympic Trials. Cam holds the title as the Winningest Boxer in USA Boxing history. Cam’s accomplishments are impressive but pale in comparison to the losses he has accumulated to reach this point.
During his motivational speeches he shares how he faced adversities in and outside of the ring with a Championship Mindset. Boxing is the greatest metaphor because everyone is fighting their own battles.
Website
Social Media Information
@camfawesome
Resources Mentioned
Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)
Get access to all 20 videos from the the summit at www.nape.org.uk/summit