273: The role of edtech in narrowing the attainment gap with Tassomai
Narrowing the attainment gap remains the key challenge for the education system, especially as we steer our way out of the pandemic.
In February 2022, Tassomai hosted a round table discussion, bringing together some of the leading thinkers and innovators in the education world to consider the role that edtech software could, and should, play in tackling this challenge.
The participants felt edtech had the potential to support but it wasn’t a magic wand, it needed to be considered with care:
- Data from edtech software needs to be easy to analyse so it can effectively inform teaching and learning decisions and support disadvantaged learners.
- Connecting data with demographics is essential for schools to understand how disadvantaged learners are progressing.
- Designing for disadvantaged children from the start can ensure their needs are prioritised.
Following the round table a short report has been produced to capture the wide ranging and insightful discussion.
You can download the report here.
James Stradling is Head of Science at All Saints Academy in Weymouth and has been at the school for around 15 Years.
Tassomai was founded by learning and revision expert Murray Morrison, who built the program to help his own students learn more effectively. Using techniques from sports and music coaching, Murray created a program to test and teach through continuous practice and adapted repetition.
Since 2012, Murray has focused fully on developing Tassomai as a software and a business. Tassomai has established itself as an edtech tool able to transform teaching and learning, helping over 250,000 students get their best possible grades. Its essential power is to be able to identify where students need more support and direct them (along with their teachers and parents) to practice and resources that can help.
Website
Social Media Information
@Tassomai
@MurrayTassomai
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The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal
272: Learning through connection and community with Decoteau Irby
Decoteau creates teaching and learning experiences, music and stories, and opportunities for people to be in community. Be it through music, encouraging the use of urban green spaces, or creating opportunities for Black people to generate wealth and wellness, his priorities are grounded in “going at it” together and creating space for people to shine.
Throughout his life, he has created all sorts of things, spaces, and experiences. These include businesses, such Derute Consulting Cooperative, a firm he co-founded in 2013; Visioning Black Spaces LLC, a collective of families that pool and invest our resources to improve Chicago’s Black neighborhoods; and Deaky Bug Creative Works LLC, a firm he uses to curate and finance his personal creative endeavors and collaborations.
Decoteau is a professor at University of Illinois at Chicago and author or co-editor of several books, including Stuck Improving: Racial Equity and School Leadership (Harvard Education Press) and a children’s book Magical Black Tears: A Protest Story (Derute Consulting Cooperative).
Through all of his work, he is committed to creating spaces that bring people together in community. He is active in his neighborhood community garden and serves as treasurer for his local park advisory council. Finally, a self-taught guitarist, songwriter, performer, and recording artist; with two albums released and available on his website.
Website
Social Media Information
Twitter: @decoteauirby
IG: decoteaublack
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/decoteau-irby
Show Sponsor
The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal
271: WHO SMARTED? the hit children’s podcast with Jerry Kolber
Jerry Kolber is the Emmy-nominated co-creator and showrunner of Nat Geo’s biggest hit series BRAIN GAMES, and Netflix’s BRAINCHILD with Pharrell Williams. He is the co-creator and narrator of the hit children’s podcast WHO SMARTED? (Apple & NY Times Pick for Kids), which has over 3 million downloads in its first year.
The Atomic team behind WHO SMARTED? includes educators, STEM consultants, writers and producers with a passion for improving the lives of children, parents, and teachers. The Atomic team has spent tens of thousands of hours creating the best educational content in the world; we will stop at nothing to make learning fun and easier for you and your family.
Jerry Kolber’s other credits as showrunner or producer include A&E’s INKED, QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY, CONFESSIONS OF A MATCHMAKER (A&E), 14 MINUTES FROM EARTH (space documentary), DARK WEB (Discovery), THE TRUTH ABOUT TRUE CRIME WITH AMANDA KNOX (AMC Digital). THE INTERNET RUINED MY LIFE (SyFy), and the upcoming Spotify original DEEP BLUE SEA.
Jerry is co-founder and CEO of the edutainment company Atomic Entertainment Group. He is also a certified meditation instructor.
Website
Social Media Information
www.facebook.com/WhoSmarted/
www.instagram.com/whosmarted/?hl=en
twitter.com/whosmarted
Resource Mentioned
Show Sponsor
The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal
270: Why Tes has gone digital with Jon Severs
Jon Severs explains the journey of taking the traditional Tes magazine, which was established in 1910, to their new online delivery which can be more reactive in our modern age.
Tes is a global education business. It started out in print more than 100 years ago as The Times Educational Supplement. Fast forward to today and it has grown in partnership with teachers and schools around the world to become one of the largest, professional digital communities, connecting and supporting more than 13 million educators globally.
Then and now, their commitment to supporting schools and teachers is at the heart of everything they do.
They work with 25,000 schools in more than 100 countries. Whether you’re newly-qualified, an experienced teacher or a school leader, they want to simplify your working life by freeing up your time so you can focus on what matters most – changing lives.
Jon Severs is editor of Tes. He was previously commissioning editor at Tes, responsible for the teaching and learning content, as well as policy, leadership and pastoral articles. Before that, he wrote and edited for both trade and consumer titles.
If you want to contribute to Tes in the way mentioned in the show here are the 2 contacts.
dan.worth@tes.com
helen.amass@tes.com
Show Sponsor
The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal
269: The impact of geography on history and learning with Jason Szeftel
Jason Szeftel talks about his learning experiences across multiple continents and settings. We discuss mindset, knowledge and how understanding geography is so important to how any village, town or city has developed through history.
We talk about the influence of mentors and how the people around you can be your biggest supporters. With such a global view of the world and learning, don’t be afraid to see what is close by.
Jason is an author who hosts the China Unraveled Podcast. On his podcast he covers what is really happening in China and what it means for the world. He makes use of his background in law and development to help people make sense of what changes in the world mean for their business.
Website
Social Media Information
Twitter: @jasonszeftel
Instagram: @jasonszeftel
Tikok: @jsonchef
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dagrunger
Resource Mentioned
Guns, Germs and Steel – Jared Diamond
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The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal