TEACHERSpotlight
What do you love about your job at HXP?
As Head of Digital Learning, it is wonderful to see the improvement of the pupils in the use of EdTech during their time at Handcross Park Many children experience technology in a recreational sense, and we try to instil an appreciation and understanding of the productive and purposeful use of technology.
How do you make sure our pupils are ‘future ready’?
As well as the general core principles of organisation, problem solving and communication, we promote the use of transferable skills using the Google Workspace suite of tools such as Docs, Slides and Sheets For example, Year 4 learn to work collaboratively on a project with group members from other classes who are taught at different times. Working from afar, they produce a group ‘Slides’ presentation and communicate via the comments and editing tools, as we often see in the world of work today! It is amazing to watch the work completed to such a high standard.
In Computer Studies, we also try to give practical understanding of how computers and the Internet work We give experience of programming drones, discussing how they are being used in the world and for exploration of other planets. We look at how 3D printing can be used to build whole villages and structures in the developing world Of course, we have been looking in more depth at AI and developing knowledge and understanding in this area. I have tried to build a curriculum that will give an experience of technology that will grow and be used in the future, with confidence
Des O'Connor - Head of Digital Learning
What are your favourite topics to teach?
In terms of my curriculum for Computer Studies, there are just so many exciting things we do. I love working collaboratively with other departments, linking with History for 3D designed castles, or with Drama to create interactive ‘Choose Your Own Adventures’ Programming and flying the drones always goes down well with the children as well! These are just some personal highlights, but I get an equal sense of satisfaction when a pupil is able to create their ‘mini-coursework’, combining digital skills such as data presentations and analysis, creating reports, writing hypotheses and giving conclusions They can then see how all the productivity lessons we do can have an impact on their work and combine to produce a single project
What developments in EdTech are you most excited about?
I think the power of artificial intelligence, for use by teaching staff, could have a significant impact on really exciting content creation I have been using a tool called Curipod for the HXP Flight Simulator Club and it has been really exciting to see the content and interactive activities it can create. It is also able to give really effective, real time feedback on the answers that the pupils provide We obviously need to be aware of the impact on how pupils create work and research and we continue to consider this as part of our policies and methodology used.
There are just so many exciting platforms that teachers and pupils can now use, it makes me want to be able to go back to school again just to have the opportunity to be use them all in my lessons as a pupil!
Tell us 3 facts about yourself that we might not know already
I was a finalist in the Global Ed Tech Awards for ‘Most Inspiring Member of Staff’
I gained the Pearson Teaching Awards Certificate of Excellence for the ‘Outstanding Use of Technology in Education’.
I am an avid historian.