BETT…Not Just a Trade Show

BETT 2013

I did not intend to write a post about this year’s BETT Show as there are far better reviewers and bloggers out there sharing their insights and thoughts.

However, having visited Day 1 of BETT 2013, I had two separate conversations with two different teachers, whereby I asked them whether or not they were attending the event later in the week. Their mixed and somewhat surprising responses were:

• “What’s BETT? “
• “No, we have no money in our budget so what’s the point in going?”

I know that BETT is by nature a trade show and that vast amounts of money are involved. However, the range of conferences and Learn Live workshops and seminars on offer were rich and varied…and they were all FREE! The ones in the BETT handbook and corresponding BETT app were superbly supplemented by the ones on offer at the Stone stand, curated by Tony Parkin.  Another worthy mention must go to Night Zoo Keeper for hosting yet another successful KidsMeet session.

Friday saw the ultimate FREE CPD event…TeachMeet. Tickets were as rare as the proverbial rocking horse pooh. However, a chance conversation with Mark Martin and Milverton Wallace at the Hackathon event meant that I was able to secure a spare ticket for John Bishop, trainee teacher and Director of Evolve SI, who had heard much about TeachMeet, but had never attended one. This was somewhat akin to attending your first ever football match…at Wembley…for a cup final.

The first of many entertaining and informative presentations was made by Stephen Lockyer and Ben Waldram, with their BATTT campaign. For further details of ‘Bring a Teacher to Twitter’ click here. By bringing John to #tmbett2013, maybe I was ahead of their game plan.

The crowds evident during the week were not there on the Saturday, possibly affected by the part-closure of the DLR. However, those of us who made the effort to get there early were rewarded by the truly inspirational Tim Rylands, Tim proceeded to drop one pearl of wisdom after another. I had heard much about Tim, but never heard him speak live. My copious EverNote-taking, was interspersed with genuine ‘wobbly chin’ moments during Tim’s unique performance, ‘Back to Their Future”. For further details click here.

I so wish the two teachers I met on Thursday had witnessed not just Tim, but the many listed speakers in the smaller arenas, as well as the 20+ TeachMeet Takeovers on the stands, which allowed for even more sharing of ideas.

Maybe the BATTT campaign needs to include another sub-campaign…BATTBETT?

On a personal note, may I take this opportunity to say huge THANK YOUs to the many I met during BETT 2013. You know who you are…your warmth, generosity and ideas know no bounds.

#TM…The Evolution of TeachMeet

Just before October half term, I braved the car park formerly known as the Northbound M1 to attend #tmsenbradford at Greengates Primary School in Bradford. Over the past year, I have attended similar events ranging from the one hosted at the impressive Mozilla HQ in London to the inaugural #CampEd12, which was TeachMeet on a completely different level.

The #tmsenbradford event was organised by Andy Gaunt (@andygfarsley), following a suggestion by Nicola Gaunt that educators host a TeachMeet focusing on SEN and inclusion. Andy co-hosted the event with the experienced Tim Bleazard (@idletim), who provided both witticisms, threats of camel throwing and technical support.

What struck me from the outset of this event was the mix of people, many of whom were making their debuts at a TeachMeet. Was it a landmark in the evolution of TM, whereby it goes mainstream…moving away from the ‘Twitterati’? After all, the event had been advertised on Bradford Schools Online  and backed up with emails…not just tweets.

Apart from David Weston (@drdave89) who proceeded to provide an eclectic collection of ideas in his own inimitable way, almost all the other presenters highlighted ‘more traditional methods of learning’. David’s illustration of a child building a PC was mind-blowing to many in the audience, as was his explanation of teaching children to code with Scratch and the way it makes children realise, ‘I can do that’. That said, David did finish his set with ideas to teach RE using plasticine and how calligraphy impacts on the ‘art and quietness of children’.

Bradford’s SEN Learning Support and Behaviour Teams were at #tmsenbradford in numbers, not just ready to share their ideas, but also to listen to the needs of SENCos and others. The event certainly opened up dialogues and strengthened future lines of communication.

All in all, despite the relative quietness on the Twitter front, #tmsenbradford was a successful event. Many thanks to the organisers and presenters; hopefully, the ‘newbies’ will return to the next event.

Better still, maybe they will also consider using the TeachMeet format within their own schools and host an in-house TM once a term? This would allow not just teachers, but all adults to share examples of outstanding practice, practical innovations and personal insights.

Those schools wishing to take it to the next level could then let the children share their ideas on learning too. But hey, one step at a time.

For details of forthcoming TeachMeet events follow, click on the camel.

Images c/o johnconnell.co.uk and mattpearson.org