Innovation in Education

Sponsored by

Thursday 26th April 2012, One Wimpole Street - London, 09:00 - 16:30

Enhancing Education Through ICT and Innovation

BOOK TODAY and secure your place.

Overview

Technology and innovation are vital aspects of 21st Century teaching. In order to ensure a well-balanced learning experience, equipping students with the necessary skills, the importance of ICT provisions at every stage of the student’s education must be recognised.

Although the UK’s creative, digital and IT industries are worth an approximate £102 billion pounds, between 2005 and 2010 the number of students taking up GCSE courses in ICT showed a 57 per cent decline.

The Next Gen Report, published in February 2011, highlighted the lack of emphasis the UK’s current education system places on ICT. The report called for an urgent revision of this to ensure that the UK remains globally competitive in an age when innovation, technology and entrepreneurship are vital to economic growth. In response to this report the government stated that the current teaching of ICT was "insufficiently rigorous and in need of reform". Technology should be used within the classroom to inspire and engage students, improving education and raising attainment.

In January 2012 Michael Gove announced plans to scrap the existing ICT curriculum. In its place, new courses of study in Computer Science will be introduced. The move, which is being supported by industry experts including Ian Livingstone, e-skills and naace, will give schools the freedom to create their own ICT and Computer Science curricula equipping pupils with the skills need to succeed in the digital age.

The UK has the potential to be a world leader in innovation. However, as outlined in the Innovation and Research Strategy for Growth, published December 2011, to succeed in the global innovation economy the relationship between education, businesses and technology must be improved.

Agenda

This informative forum will provide a timely opportunity for delegates to analyse the future landscape of innovation in education during this period of change. Delegates will have the chance to hear from the key people involved in making, shaping and implementing policy in this important area. This necessary forum will be tackling issues such as ensuring value for money, improving digital literacy, the impact of national curriculum reform and the importance of collaboration.

09:00	Registration and Coffee
09:40	Chair’s Welcome Address Rachel Ager, Chair, Naace (CONFIRMED)
09:50	Special Keynote: Innovation in Education - Opportunities and Challenges Lord David Puttnam CBE (CONFIRMED)
10:10	Special Keynote: Boosting the UK’s Economy Through Educational Innovation The impact of the NextGen Report and the government’s response to its recommendations Bringing computer science into the National Curriculum as an essential discipline Offering careers guidance reflecting the growing employment opportunities in high-tech creative industries like video games and visual effects Educational innovation: the key to remaining globally competitive Improving the emphasis on ICT in educational institutions in order to develop industry-related skills Ensuring future workers are equipped with the necessary ICT and digital skills Guaranteeing the UK as a world leader in the creative and digital industries The new ICT curriculum: How will this benefit the UK? Ian Livingstone OBE, Chair, Next Gen Skills Campaign and Co-Author, Livingstone-Hope Skills Review of Video Games and Visual Effects (CONFIRMED)
10:30	Innovative Models for ICT Procurement: Ensuring Creative and Efficient IT Systems for Education The financial options available for investment in technology Investment as a way to cut long term costs Procuring and delivering small scale projects and maintenance Finding the right price Collaboration and shared services to guarantee value for money when procuring IT provisions Working alongside the private sector The benefits of creating a central framework for schools Local authority and school partnerships - working together to ensure IT provisions are a top priority Matt Clegg, ICT Adviser, Education Funding Agency (CONFIRMED)
10:50	Questions and Answers Session
11:15	Coffee Break and Networking
11:40	Sponsor Session: ICT Evolution - Making ICT Accessible and Flexible Paul Banks, Head Teacher, Roding Valley High (CONFIRMED)
12:00	Case Study: Redbridge Games Network - Consoles, Creativity and Collaboration Using games technology to inspire, engage and motivate learners Games as a contextual hub for a range of creative cross-curricular work Working with children to create games Games as educational resources Schools collaborating to share ideas and resources and work as a network Partnerships with the private sector Dawn Hallybone, Redbridge Games Network (CONFIRMED)
12:20	Questions and Answers Session
12:40	Lunch and Networking
13:40	E-Learning and E-Assessment: Improving Education in a Connected World The importance of distance learning Raising attainment through e-learning Developing mobile devices and learning on the move User-generated content as an educational resource Integrating social media and web 2.0 into the learning pathway Encouraging a personalised learning plan The importance of computerised assessment in the modern education system Improving efficiency through a streamlined administrative process Valerie Thompson, Chief Executive, e-Learning Foundation (CONFIRMED)
14:00	Digital Literacy: Educational Challenges and Educational Opportunities? What is digital literacy and why does it matter? Digital literacy or digital literacies? Looking beyond the myth of the 'digital native' and the 'digital immigrant' Developing digital literacies amongst students and teachers The need to develop digital skills for learning and earning The need to develop critical digital literacy in the school curriculum Dr Neil Selwyn, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Education (CONFIRMED)
14:20	Ingredients of the Successful SCHOLAR Programme in Scottish Education The SCHOLAR e-learning programme which has been deployed in all Scottish secondary schools at Higher and Advanced Higher for over a decade The engaging features of this national programme The ingredients of SCHOLAR’s success Prof. Cliff Beevers, Emeritus Professor, Heriot-Watt University and Chair, E-Assessment Association and Professor Phillip John, Heriot-Watt University (CONFIRMED)
14:40	Questions and Answers Session
14:55	Coffee Break and Networking
15:15	The Future of ICT Education Senior Representative, Raspberry Pi Foundation (CONFIRMED)
15:35	Case Study: The CC4G Project - Engaging All Students in ICT The CC4G (Computer Clubs For Girls) model as a way in which to engage all students Responding to research that girls start to lose interest in ICT as early as 9 years of age Ensuring students do not lose interest in ICT Encouraging learning opportunities via engagement in ICT Developing and practising skills through fun and innovative exercises Bridging the gender gap in the UK's IT workforce Driving achievement across the entire curriculum Supporting personal development and aspiration Lalage Clay, Head of Communications and Insight, E-Skills UK (CONFIRMED)
15:55	Innovating Education: How Will Changes to the Curriculum Impact on Students' 21st Century Skillset? Innovation in schools: the impact of the new National Curriculum The changing curriculum and the introduction of the Ebacc: what will be the impact of this be on the digital education of students? Improving the technical skills needed for a 21st Century skillset Encouraging innovation and creativity in continuing times of austerity Bridging the skills gap between school, FE, HE and employment Strengthening leadership in order to implement technological solutions in educational settings Christopher Binns, Director, 21st Century Learning Alliance (CONFIRMED)
16:15	Questions and Answers Session
16:30	Chair's Summary and Close

*programme subject to change without notice

Supporter

Audience

The audience will comprise of local authorities, central government departments & bodies, schools, academia, trade unions, private, legal & voluntary sectors, including head teachers and principals, ICT providers, school governors, directors of education, children and youth services, awarding bodies, examination officers, LEA officers, student representatives, parent teacher associations, elected members for education, school improvement advisors, connexions and education consultants.