STUDENTS from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David have recently returned from the annual Bett Conference, which was held in ExCel in London last weekend.
The conference, which is hosted by the global organisation Bett (British Educational Training and Technology), was held over four days and gave students and teachers the opportunity to keep up to date with the latest innovations in education resources and technology.
Students from UWTSD’s Faculty of Education and Communities were given the opportunity to listen to talks on creativity, innovation and education from influential figures such as Heston Blumenthal, Tony Robinson and Grammy-award winning artist Imogen Heap. It also featured a keynote speech from the author and international advisor to the arts and education, Sir Ken Robinson, who gave UWTSD students a special mention.
Carys Richards is a Senior Lecturer on the BA Education course. She said: “The show introduced a whole host of new, innovative and exciting technologies that we can incorporate within our programmes in order to enhance teaching and learning and drive the digital competence agenda forward.”
Georgina Whitlow is in her third year studying BA Education with QTS. She attended the conference and said: “Bett 2017 offered an insight into the types of educational changes currently being made by awe-inspiring technology. The vast range of international exhibitors, be it those delving into the new world of virtual reality or those delivering information with regards to online assessments, meant there was something for everyone. A personal highlight of the day for many was listening to guest speakers such as Imogen Heap and her ground-breaking MiMu gloves, Heston Blumenthal’s take on how cooking can unleash creativity and, most notably, Sir Ken Robinson, who as always managed to leave the audience with a sense of great admiration and inspiration for the future of education. If there was one resounding message to take away from the day it would be to embrace the changes surrounding education and dare to be innovative.”
Chris Gibbs (3rd Year BA Education with QTS), who also attended the conference, said: “Attending the Bett Educational Conference was an eye-opening experience, the variety and quantity of teaching resources that are available was outstanding. The technology available ranged from virtual reality headsets and interactive projectors to complete education programmes that included tracking information and methods to communicate directly and individually with parents.
“The highlight of the day was attending the seminar by Sir Ken Robinson; his presentation was a wonderfully inspiring talk about how education requires us, teachers and students to be bold and creative when we are in the classroom. It was a privilege to listen to him discuss serious issues in a funny, simple and selfless way.”
Ms Richards added: “It was an inspirational keynote speech filled with all the elements we have grown accustomed to expect from Sir Ken – humour, compassion, wisdom, and a nagging anxiety over the future of education. Staff and students alike were struck by his candid view of the potential damage education systems can have on children’s futures. Rest assured we do have options and the capacity to change how things are, armed with knowledge and understanding all children can benefit from a wholesome curriculum that recognises the potential and uniqueness of each individual child.”
The trip was organised by Mathew Jones, who is BA Education Programme Lead.
He said: “We have been coming to BETT with students for many years as we have always placed an importance on being aware of the emerging technologies and software that are being developed within education. We feel that students need to be aware of how their pedagogy and teaching could be enhanced with these technologies and how that can enrich the learning for the pupils in their future classrooms”
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