Bett show 2015

If you are really keen on putting more technology into your classroom this is the week for you.  Starting today at the international exhibition and conference centre ExCel, London. 

The website claims that bett is the world's biggest learning technology event, with 35,000 visitors and 30 years experience. As for me, I will be giving it a miss,  I need to come to terms with the teaching and technology I already have in front of me.

Teachers not gadgets

To follow on from my earlier blogposts 'The value of mobile technology...' and 'Barriers to the effective use of technology...'

"Spend on teachers not gadgets, says heads chief" (Garner, 2015: 17), reads today's education headline today in the Independent's bite-size newspaper 'I'.  It follows the blogpost of Russell Hobby, the National Association of Head Teachers general secretary. 

The central idea that Hobby puts forward is that with the current funding crisis there is insufficient funds to pay for teachers and all the latest technology.  Hobby goes on to make the point "Technology has no value in itself, only in relation to the problem it solves.  We need a reason, a goal, not a glossy brochure or shiny gadget." (Garner, 2015: 17).  

To find out more about Hobbies opinions go to his blog:

http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/news-and-media/blogs/russell-hobby-general-secretary/

References

Garner, R. (2015) 'Spend on teachers not gadgets, says heads chief' p.17

Bibiography

Hobby, R. (2015) 'Tomorrows world looking ahead to the bett technology expo'.  Available at:

http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/news-and-media/blogs/russell-hobby-general-secretary/tomorrows-world-looking-ahead-to-the-bett-technology-expo/ [Accessed: 20th January 2015]