Educator insight: Jonathan Lloyd, The Hall School, London

Many thanks to Jonathan Lloyd, Head of Geography at The Hall School in London, for his thoughts on EdTech and its implementation and use in schools. This is a full version of the interview that appeared in our schools newsletter of 15 June 2023.

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Fascinated with the changes and innovation taking place in education, Jonathan provides EdTech analysis with a focus on online schools and digital learning. He also hosts a podcast and is the co-host of the Online Schools group on LinkedIn.

1. EdTech is a team game

Be strategic. Think about how any new resource can best integrate into your pedagogy and digital strategy. 

With a growing number of EdTech tools available and rapid new developments in artificial intelligence (AI), it’s worth having a team focused on innovation and new solutions.

Make sure that resources can be shared across subjects and find supporters across the school. You can achieve this by showcasing new developments at Head of Department meetings throughout the school year.

2. Don’t let the don’ts put you off

We want as many staff on board with using digital learning resources as possible so I would say: “Don’t let the don’ts put you off!” Try and provide staff with as much support as possible, but don’t be put off by their concerns. 

If you discover a new resource, don’t run with it solo. Talk it through with your department, colleagues, and digital team. 

Foster support so that any new tool quickly becomes part of the school’s digital vision. It’s a fast changing and complex space, and we are all learning.

3. Collaborate and lead

Achieving digital transformation in a school is difficult. It requires collaboration, leadership,
and spaces to showcase innovation. Much of it is about people and relationships so
spending time teachers across the school is essential.

You have to understand attitudes and the culture towards digital learning and link this to a digital strategy which has a clear vision and values. Digital learning is a complex term and needs to be defined and balanced across the school.

4. Smartphones in schools

The most important future EdTech trend facing schools is our changing attitude to smartphones and their use amongst children.

Earlier this year Sapien Labs released new research linking young people’s worsening mental health to the age they receive their first phone. Movements such as Wait Until 8th, which campaigns to delay giving a child a smartphone until they are 14, continue to gather momentum.

Schools need to prepare for future regulation in this space. After all, it is our responsibility to protect the health and wellbeing of the young people we teach.

🎒 Jonathan Lloyd’s EdTech toolkit…

• Study Hall for reading and 11+ preparation. 
• Lego Serious Play to prompt dialogue and discussion. 
• Real Fast Reports to reduce workload from bulk reports. 
• Canva to create graphics and designs.
• reMarkable digital notebook – this tablet will replace all of your notebooks.
• SkillMapper to find learning content and to save content from LinkedIn posts.
• Riverside.fm or Soundtrap for online recording and podcast production.
• Deseo VR to create virtual reality content for a school such as a virtual tour. 
• EdTech books for school libraries including Teaching Machines: The History of Personalized Learning by Audrey Watters.
• The Online Schools LinkedIn community – a dynamic group of individuals involved in online learning and AI.