And what a show it proved to be. Sir Ken Robinson spoke to a packed out audience of several hundred people on the importance of creativity and outdoor learning in our schools. It was inspirational. To hear the full talk go to:-

Sorry about the sound quality!

So what was seen and what is of worth pursuing for special needs teachers?

VR was a big thing at BETT this year with lots of companies promoting VR headsets. Tablet Academy put on a live workshop and gave experiences to users in the use of these tools. For more information click on the links below:-

VR Headsets -Tablet Academy 1

VR Tablet Academy Part 2

Information was given to by ClaroSpeakk on the use of screen readers in exams. It’s very useful and promotes the use of technology over the use of amenuensis methods. It gives background and advice on those seeking to make their pupils more independent and therefore more able in the exam setting.

Clarity – Sound, lighting and audio visual systems for Education. They are a small company working with a range of specialist settings producing easy to operate sensory rooms. They work in a bespoke manner so if you are thinking of incorporating this equipment or even re-vamping you old room do give them a thought. Lovely friendly people to approach!

Something that I thought was really good for ESL and for SEN was an app called “chatta” but its more than that. I spoke with the makers at length and they see this as part of an ongoing support relationship. They want to ensure that the methods both IT and paper-based really work in your setting. Go to: http://www.chatta.co.uk.for more details. There free iOS app allows you to place a spoken message under an image. This can then be levelled to a pre-set standard or your own which makes it very flexible for the classroom and in meeting a range of language needs. I needed no manual to learn and individual users can be easily set up in a class to have that individualised approach needed for meeting the language needs of those from other countries

sensory guru – mobile floor projection

Another example of bringing interaction to floor level but in a mobile unit. Very easy to setup and use. You need to angle your use correctly as incorrect use will produce an unwanted shadow on your display.

tootoot – all aspects of safeguarding into one easy platform

https://tootoot.co.uk/features#student-voice

I liked the integrated approach of tootoot as it empowers the pupils themselves to report instances of bullying, cyber bullying, racism, extremism, radicalisation, sexism, mental health and self harm. You can have a free 6 months to try it out after which you are placed in a lucky draw for a free license. Great for Safer Internet Day on the 7th Feb!

hopspots – http://www.hopspots.dk/en

Another interactive tool which I thought would be useful it works on using discs that light up in different ways to perform all sorts of tasks and games. Very engaging and flexible and can be programmed to do what you want it to. It works off an iPad app and the discs come with a charger unit. Unfortunately, it is not cheep and I did tell them to consider their price structure for the current situation in the UK!

gcsepod –gcsepod.com – mainstream secondary apps. Lastly, but not least a system that may not be a trailblazer in the cool looks stakes but is incredibly useful in setting and completing homework using both computers and mobiles as this is cloud-based. Worth a look as it was one of the apps pupils at a secondary school said they used often. Because it just does what it says on the packet and does it well and quickly.

It’s good to have someone of his stature speaking his mind as to the problems and the solutions to what is our broken education system. I do hope teachers will get the message that we have power to change things. Even small changes make huge differences. So don’t give up! I believe that happy children make happy learners and that includes the great outdoors, the creative arts and physical education. SIr Ken said we were in the time of experiencing a much reduced curriculum that is not able to meet the challenges of the 21st Century and that we need a learning revolution of which new technology plays its part alongside a host of other means to create those happy learners.

At BETT they used this tool for presenting and engaging audiences. What impressd me was the fact tha despite the amount of people and the difficulties with wifi that large venues might have this tool worked perfectly every time, working with Powerpoint as an extension it enables presenters to engage audiences and share on social media. I found this very powerful and liberating but don’t take my word for it look at this video link:-

Glisser

The queues!
And the inside – 20 mins before he speaks!

Alas there wasn’t time to ask it! But why not think of returning education back to schools and LA’s? Doing education the present work hasn’t worked so let’s try the alternative. Sir Tony agrees the present system hasn’t worked as he call it since ” Biker Gove” or is that “Gove” so why not go back to a time that I remember when teachers were respected, supported and most importantly funded!…… Before politicians got their hands on!

On the european electronique stand ( which isn’t french by the way – or european for that matter!) they had a challenge to crack a safe with a set of numbers given to her. And guess what she won!!