New government standards for teachers’ professional development are long overdue

/in /by

denise1

Denise Inwood, managing director, BlueSky

Former senior school leader Denise Inwood is Managing Director of BlueSky, creators of BlueSky Education, the leading online staff development, professional learning and self-evaluation software for schools.  She set up her business precisely to help schools improve by raising teaching standards and therefore welcomes the recent DfE guidance on standards for teachers’ professional development.  

 

The government has published its first ever set of teacher professional development standards – a move I welcome wholeheartedly as better late than never.

With problems around teacher retention high on the agenda at the moment, I’m hoping this new focus on effective professional development will go some way towards stemming the flow of teachers leaving the profession. According to the latest figures from the National Audit Office, the numbers of teachers leaving the profession have increased by 11 per cent during the past three years. The proportion of those who chose to leave the profession ahead of retirement has also increased from 64 per cent to 75 per cent.

These standards make plain the importance and status of professional learning to expert and effective teaching.

The new ‘Standard for teachers’ professional development’ published by the Department for Education, set out a clear description of effective practice in professional development for teachers and were published following recommendations from an expert panel.

I believe that the energy and dynamism of young people requires that teachers constantly review and modify their approach, not only on an annual basis, but also day by day and lesson by lesson. The development of reflective practice is learned at the outset of Initial Teacher Training, but it’s a skill set that needs to be honed and refined throughout teachers’ careers.

These new standards are designed to engage and encourage school leaders to prioritise support for high quality professional development throughout their organisations.

In my opinion, one of the greatest delights of being a professional in the education sector is the constant requirement to reflect, adapt and develop skills and knowledge. If we get this right, every school will be able to provide the professional learning opportunities for staff that will help them flourish and their pupils and students to succeed.

It is to be hoped that the new standards change the dynamics of professional development so that teachers have ready access to the evidence and expertise they need to further their careers and perhaps stay in the profession for longer. Let’s hope for a new era where teachers’ career development is better supported so that we can reduce the numbers leaving our great profession.

Introducing PTA UK approved IQ Cards

/in /by

The creative and easy way schools can fundraise!


IQ Cards is the perfect school fundraising project. Based in Hampshire and part of the established on-demand print provider The IQ Digital House, IQ Cards helps schools to raise money whilst encouraging pupil’s creativity.

IQ Cards,  are offering schools the chance to fundraise in a creative and fun way. A perfect solution for school PTA’s, teachers, admin staff and parents to raise funds. Children create the designs, parents place their orders and IQ cards print them for various purposes from cards to gift-wrap.

Whether funds are needed for essential equipment, learning resources or extra-curricular activities, IQ Cards is the ideal avenue. Pupils can fuel their creativity and produce fantastic designs in a school environment, and parents can purchase sentimental products and know that their money is going to a great cause.

Schools can take advantage of this massive fundraising opportunity that requires minimal time, money and effort. Not only is the IQ Cards project a very easy process, the low price, exceptional printing service and varied product range will mean that fundraising becomes a completely different ballgame.  

Charlotte Baldwin, Operations manager at IQ cards says:

“With the lack of funding so prominent it schools, it seemed vitally important that there was an easy, affordable and fun way to raise money. Something that provided great return for little input”

“Several of the IQ cards team are mothers themselves, juggling work, the school run and PTA meetings. We wanted to create something that helped schools, fuelled our children’s creativity and was a perfect personalised  item we would want to buy and give to family members.”

Eco Classroom unveiled at Green Britain Centre

/in /by

green britain1

greenbritain2
greenbritain3

New education space part of summer of success for Centre

A new Eco Classroom has been unvieled at the Green Britain Centre in Swaffham, Norfolk, offering interactive ways for groups to learn about nature, food and renewable energy.

The classroom is part of a summer of success for the Centre, which has also joined the Eco Attractions Group, become a Blue Peter Attraction, and been awarded a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge.

As part of the Eco Attractions Group, the Green Britain Centre joins an elite group of environmental attractions in Britain, including the Eden Project, the National Wildflower Centre, the Centre for Alternative Technology and Kew Gardens – all of whom will collaborate and share knowledge, learning and resources. 

By becoming a Blue Peter Attraction, the Centre will offer a free turbine tour for anyone with a Blue Peter badge – and feature on the Blue Peter website.

The Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge is another big success for the Centre – recognition that it offers a high standard of learning and safety, recognised by teachers and organisations which provide outdoor learning.

Paul Woodmin, head of the Green Britain Centre, said: “The Green Britain Centre has become a real success story for Norfolk – and we’re always looking to improve what we offer at the Centre. 

“Our grounds already contain an organic vegetable garden, a heritage orchard, a bee friendly native meadow, a play area, and a windmill and solar tracker – so the addition of the Eco Classroom makes this an even better resource for schools, families and groups.

“The space will help us to bring the natural world to life for thousands of people all year round – it will help us to inspire the next generation to respect and enjoy nature, to understand the benefits of renewable energy, and to get their hands dirty in our organic garden.”

The Eco Classroom provides new and interactive ways for groups to learn about organic food growing, green energy and the environment, with lessons now able to take place outside all year round in the heart of the Centre’s 4.5 acre grounds. The space will also be available to hire for meetings, events and children’s parties upon request.

One of the first groups to use the classroom was the 28th Leicester (Wigston) cubs, who were awarded their environmental conservation badges after exploring the grounds and receiving a workshop by Paul Woodmin, the head of the Green Britain Centre.

The classroom was part funded by a Big Lottery Fund Awards for All grant of £10,000, with additional funding coming from the Green Britain Foundation, the charity which runs the Centre. It was built by The Hideout House Company, which specialises in turning outdoor spaces into engaging and educational areas through the building of outdoor classrooms and shelters.

Simon Fearnehough, director, The Hideout House Company Ltd, said: “As a company dedicated to supplying products and buildings which promote environmental awareness and sustainable thinking, we have been absolutely delighted to work alongside Ecotricity and the Green Britain Centre to provide them with their Eco Classroom. The building will play a major role in the whole eco education programme and visitor experience at the Centre and we look forward to developing further projects in future.”

To book the Eco Classroom or one of the other spaces at the Centre for parties, events, meetings and more, please call 01760 726736.

LEGO® Education offers schools free activities to support additional language learners

/in /by

Engaging activities for children with English as an additional language (EAL) in all curriculum areas

 

Today, LEGO® Education announced the launch of its free hands on activities, designed to help additional language learners to develop language competences in a motivating and playful environment. The activities improve pupils’ communicative abilities, cultural knowledge, and 21st century skills through hands-on learning.

 

Based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR level A2) developed by the Council of Europe, the five creative activities develop language and literacy through narrative experiences. The activities are free to download from LEGOeducation.co.uk/StoryStarter.

 

Jessica Clifton, marketing manager, at LEGO Education said, “These activities provide additional language teachers with ideas and inspiration for their first lessons with EAL pupils. Flexibility was the foundation for the activities’ design; they cover a range of language topics and competencies and can easily be adapted to fit any curriculum by adjusting the objectives or context. While the activities are based on StoryStarter, (LEGO Education’s literacy resource for Key Stages 1 and 2) schools have the freedom to implement the activities with any LEGO bricks.

 

“Most schools support children from all over the world with English as an additional language. Over recent months, the need for more teachers to receive help with engaging these children into the learning environment and supporting their developmental needs, has become increasingly important. The activities are an ideal resource for enabling all second language pupils to integrate into a new country and classroom, and they support teachers who are facilitating that.”

 

Each activity can be used in connection with any existing curriculum and at different stages of the language learning process; they can also be extended to focus on, for example, vocabulary and writing skills.

 

To download the activity pack, please visit: education.lego.com/en-gb/lesi/elementary/storystarter/ss-additional-language-learning

 

LLOYDS BANK ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TRAINING CENTRE (AMTC) AT ANSTY PARK, COVENTRY IS OPENING ITS DOORS TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG ENGINEERS

/in /by

Institution of Engineering and Technology launches its second Engineering Open House Day this July

 

This month, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is calling on young people and their parents to visit the AMTC in Coventry, hosted by Bosch Rexroth, which is taking part in Engineering Open House Day 2016.

 

The event will be taking place at on 29th July as part of the IET’s Engineer a Better World campaign which showcases the exciting engineering career opportunities that are open to young people.

 

The IET is working with venues where engineers play a central role in the day-to-day running of their organisation. With demand for engineers far exceeding supply, and with only nine percent of them in the UK today being women, the IET is hoping to inspire a new generation of engineers through the Engineering Open House events.

 

Research from the IET* in 2015 highlighted that more than two thirds (71%) of children say they would be interested in an engineering career when shown inspirational information about the creativity and breadth of opportunities available. These aspects of engineering will be key features of Engineering Open House Day.

 

All organisations involved will give young people and their parents the chance to explore the variety of stimulating and creative careers in modern engineering by putting on tours, workshops and talks from inspirational engineers. Guests will also have the chance to ask engineers about their career experiences, what they actually do and why the industry appealed to them.

 

Alastair Johnstone, Managing Director from Bosch Rexroth, one of the organisations taking part in the Engineering Open House Day said:

 

“We’re excited to host an event for the IET’s Engineering Open House Day this summer. It will be an excellent opportunity to showcase some of the fantastic opportunities that a job in the engineering sector can hold. Engineering Open House Day is a truly great initiative which we hope will inspire and encourage a diverse mix of children to consider a career in the industry.”

 

Naomi Climer, President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET):

 

“Many parents, particularly those with daughters, aren’t aware of how many different types of engineering jobs there are – and that these jobs can be creative, rewarding, and make a real difference to people’s lives. Engineering Open House Day is a great way to show parents and young people the diverse variety of exciting engineering careers on offer all over the country, while also celebrating the valuable work that engineers do every day.”

 

To find out more about the events on offer and how to register for a place at the IET’s Engineering Open House Day 2016, please visit: http://www.engineer-a-better-world.org/engineering-open-house-day.

LEGO Education’s WeDo 2.0 receives prestigious Worlddidac Award

/in /by

LEGO Education has today announced that WeDo 2.0, the hands-on science and computing resource for Key Stages 1 and 2, has received an internationally prestigious Worlddidac Award.

Now in their 17th year, the Worlddidac Awards aim to motivate education companies to develop high-quality and innovative resources that support and improve the provision of learning and teaching.

Entries from 47 countries were judged, based on their performance and price, learning content, motivational aspects and suitability for the classroom. Each entry is evaluated by a panel of teachers from a classroom perspective. It is then examined by the panel of judges, consisting of eight internationally renowned educational experts and led by Professor Peter Gloor from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The winning entry, WeDo 2.0, allows pupils to examine real-life situations and design solutions using the classic LEGO brick in curriculum-aligned activities. These creations can then be programmed using desktops, tablets and Chromebooks to perform certain functions. Topics covered using the resource include: speed, friction and mass; wildlife and habitats; space exploration; environmental issues and much more.

Managing Director of LEGO Education Europe, Dr René Lydiksen, said: “It’s a real honour for us to have received such an internationally-acclaimed award. We designed WeDo 2.0 to help pupils develop a deeper understanding of science and computing in an engaging, hands-on way that lets them explore situations in context. We hope that WeDo 2.0 will inspire pupils around the world to unlock their potential and become the change-makers and problem-solvers of the future.”

Oaka Books Hits Gold with ISEB Endorsement

/in /by

With around 20% of children needing some form of extra support in the classroom, resources that make differentiation easy are essential but in short supply. Oaka Books is a specialist publisher of curriculum based resources for SEN pupils producing a range of over 50 topic packs for KS1, KS2 and KS3 pupils. This month the company gained ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board) endorsement for many of its products.

‘The ISEB exams are widely regarded as the gold standard in educational assessment. Gaining this endorsement is a real feather in our cap,’ explains Bambi Gardiner, founder of Oaka Books. ‘We set out to produce accessible revision packs for children who find school work a struggle. Until we launched Oaka there was nothing available for these pupils and it is fantastic that the ISEB is so enthusiastic about our topic packs. Its endorsement is not given lightly so we are thrilled.’

ISEB endorsement will cover the Oaka topic packs for Geography, History and French ranges. SEN (special educational needs) pupils need to be able to access the curriculum without a huge amount of extra work for teachers. That’s the view of Oaka Books founder, Bambi Gardiner, whose own daughter is dyslexic with a slow processing speed. It was the reason for the creation of the Oaka Topic Packs in 2013.

 

Three years on, Oaka Books has a product range of over 50 Key Stage 3/Common Entrance (CE) titles and supplies 350 schools and hundreds of parents with resources that making learning engaging, fun and, most importantly, effective.

‘When SEN pupils reach KS3 they are expected to work from the same subject resources as their non-SEN peers,’ Bambi explains. ‘It doesn’t always work. But, until we launched Oaka, suitable curriculum based resources just did not exist.’

 

Oaka’s KS2 and KS3 packs cover topics for Sciences, Geography, French and History. There is also a global locations board game, ‘On The Map’.  The entire KS3/CE range was shortlisted for the Educational Resources ‘Best Secondary Product’ Award in 2015.

 

The packs are for children who like to learn with images and colour. For these children, pages of black and white text affect their ability to absorb information. Working with the Learning Support department at Hurstpierpoint College, a team of teachers and illustrators, Oaka produces Topic Packs to meet the needs of children who struggle in the classroom but still need to access the curriculum and pass exams.

 

As Kate Doehren, Director of LS at Hurst and a key contributor to Oaka Books, commented, ‘There is nothing more pleasing than seeing an under-confident child blossom into a successful student.’

 

Much of the Oaka ethos is based on confidence. ‘Pupils who are not strong readers, have comprehension issues or English as a second language can be left behind using standard text books and resources. They then lose interest, confidence and the downward spiral begins.   Our packs create engagement and interest. The workbooks are achievable and the games reinforce learning in a fun way and can be used by the whole class,’ explains Bambi.

 

“KS3, in particular, is such a vital time for pupils to nail the basics. Teachers constantly tells us that, although our packs have been designed for SEN children, they are perfect for any child who likes to learn in a more visual way. It is great that the packs are now being used by subject teachers for whole classes as they make differentiation so easy, exactly what we set out to achieve.’

 

The new school year will see the launch of Oaka Digital, a new range of online resources to compliment the paper based Topic Packs. Oaka Digital will bring learning to life in a new way with 3D images and animations to help pupils really grasp and memorise key basic concepts and information that will see them through to GCSEs and even ‘A’ Levels.

 

What’s different about Oaka?

Oaka topic packs are full of images and colour, all laid out in a very clear format. The topic-based packs are short and concise, using bullet points and easy-to-understand words and sentences. There are no off-putting big books. All text is in Comic Sans 14pt font and is printed on a pale blue or yellow background. A glossary of key words for each topic ensures that important vocabulary is covered and each topic pack has an active learning game complete with question and answer flashcards. Pupils also get a ‘Write Your Own Notes’ book to complete.

 

The History packs include active learning maps with character cards for children to re-enact the events they’re learning about. This helps children to visualise events, making it far easier for them to recall the details.

 

Oaka topic packs are available from www.oakabooks.co.uk  £7.97 each (volume discounts for schools).

MYCOGNITION ANNOUNCES GROUND-BREAKING PARTNERSHIP WITH PETERBOROUGH CITY COUNCIL TO DELIVER PERSONALISED BRAIN TRAINING TO THOUSANDS OF THE CITY’S STUDENTS

/in /by

Primary and secondary schools and City College Peterborough signed up to assess and train students’ cognitive function

Programme aims to enhance the lives of students and young people by

 improving their cognition

 

MyCognition, a leading cognitive assessment and training company today announces a ground-breaking partnership with Peterborough City Council to deliver personalised brain training to thousands of the city’s students and pupils.

 

The three-year partnership, the first of its kind in the UK, will give students and young people in up to 70 of Peterborough’s primary, secondary, further education and special schools access to MyCognition’s online cognitive assessment and training programmes, which aim to measure and improve cognitive function and support educational attainment.

 

The first phase of the new initiative, which started its roll out in June, is a collaboration between City College Peterborough, Peterborough City Council and Peterborough Learning Partnership. The partnership reflects the increasing awareness amongst UK heads and school leaders of the importance of good cognitive function for pupils’ ability to learn and progress, which in turn is seeing growing numbers of forward-thinking schools introduce cognitive training into the classroom.

 

MyCognition’s science-based programmes work by assessing an individual’s cognitive function and personalising the online training games to focus on and help to improve areas of greatest cognitive need. Cognition is the ability to plan and organise, problem solve, remember things, and focus, it has an impact on all aspect of peoples’ lives including their ability to learn, cope with everyday situations and their mental wellbeing.

 

City College Peterborough – The partnership will support young people from a variety of diverse backgrounds studying at City College, including students preparing for employment and further learning as well as those with English as a second language, additional educational needs or dyslexia – although many will not have an official diagnosis. MyCognition’s cognitive assessment tool, MyCQ, will help to identify those students whose cognition is not functioning optimally.  They will then be supported with tailored brain training games that target their specific areas of cognitive need. The intervention will also support learners on the college’s traineeship programme.  Students’ progress in Maths and English will be used as a benchmark to assess the impact of the programme.

Primary, secondary and specialist schools – Peterborough City Council is actively seeking ways to support its schools in improving pupil attainment.  From June, cognitive assessments are being made available to pupils in Peterborough’s participating primary and secondary schools.   Pupils whose cognitive function scores are low, including many with special educational needs, will be given access to Unique, a personalised programme for children aged 8-18 years with learning and behavioural difficulties,[1]to help address any areas of cognitive deficit with the aim of boosting their performance in the classroom.  The 12 week programme can be used at school and at home and this flexibility will raise family awareness and encourage inclusion in the programme.

 

Peterborough’s University Technical College (UTC), which will open in September will offer MyCognition’s assessment and training programmes as an element of its developmental work with students aged 14 – 17. It is anticipated 140 students will engage in the programme which helps tutors better understand learner strengths and weaknesses at the point of admission.

 

Since the launch of its education products Unique – aimed at those with special educational needs – and Achieve – for all learners, earlier this year, MyCognition has experienced rapid demand from schools, particularly across Greater London and the South East.  As well as working with Peterborough Learning Partnership, MyCognition is currently developing programmes for Claydon High School in Ipswich, Royal Free Hospital Children’s School in London and Notre Dame Primary School in Greenwich.  This demand is further evidenced by a recent survey of educationalists which indicated that 84% of respondents from schools’ leadership teams say they believe that all pupils could benefit from cognitive training[2].  

 

Iain Simper, CEO, Peterborough Learning Partnership said:

 

“We have been hugely impressed by this science-based cognitive training programme, and feel it has the potential to make a significant and lasting difference to many of Peterborough’s young people. As educationalists we need to look beyond subject specific difficulties and address underlying causes which could be associated with poor cognition and the interest in MyCognition at our recent Festival of Learning Conference demonstrates that the desire is there to find effective ways to do this. We believe that by improving the cognitive function of our students, we are also improving their life chances.”

 

Keiron Sparrowhawk, founder and chief executive of MyCognition said;

“We are delighted to be working with Peterborough Learning Partnership to deliver this ground-breaking project.  MyCognition’s training programmes have been shown to help improve concentration, attention and memory[3] – boosting individual’s capacity to learn and develop.  We are very excited about what can be achieved through this partnership and are looking forward to working with the schools and City College to improve the lives of Peterborough’s next generation.”

 

 

Allison Sunley, Post 16 Learning and Skills Adviser, Peterborough City Council said:

 

“We have been impressed by this research-based cognitive training programme, and we feel it has the potential to make a real and lasting difference to people and businesses in Peterborough.  The initial implementation stage will target people at critical points in their lives whether at school or college, trying to get into work or starting up a business – just when they may need support.”

 

MyCognition’s brain training programmes have been trialed by over 2,000 primary and secondary school children and evidence from trials in the UK and abroad has demonstrated that repeated use leads to higher MyCQ scores, signaling improved cognitive function[4].

 

For more information, please visit http://www.mycognition.com/

 

[1] MyCognition’s work with 11 Welsh primary School in Key Stage 2 has demonstrated that with regular training pupils were able to improve their cognitive function which led to better performance in the classroom

[2] Independent study of 574 teachers, SENCOs and head teachers carried, March 2016

[3] Stad & Esch School, Netherlands. In a study of 600 children, the research found playing a MyCognition game for three 20 minute sessions a week, over eight weeks led to statistically significant gains in executive function and working memory

[4] Welsh schools Study, 2014-15: 11 schools participated. The mean MyCQ assessment scores of students completing the training protocol durationrose by 11.4 points from 24.42 to 35.84. Improvements were seen in all cognitive domains, with the biggest areas of improvement were in processing speed and attention.

 

Job Of A Lifetime For Budding YouTubers

/in /by

Blogger comp image

Does your child dream of being the next Dermot O’Leary? No don’t be daft, X Factor is old hat for kids these days, they’re much more likely to want to be the next Joe Sugg or DanTDM.

 

Well now thanks to an exciting competition created by the Digital Kids Show, three young people could be in with the chance of a lifetime as it launches the search to find the next big YouTuber. Three finalists will battle it out on their first job to bring all the action from the star studded show to fans across social media.

 

The official vloggers will get to interview their favourite stars – from hugely popular YouTubers including AshDubh, Tomohawk, Nettyplays, Amy Lee, SmallishBeans, EthanGamerTV and LDShadowLady, to children’s TV favourites, Dick and Dom and Mr Bloom, and receive £100 gift voucher. They’ll also get to pick up some industry secrets on how to create an engaged YouTube channel with hints and tips from the YouTube stars.

 

To be in with a chance of winning, children (with the help and permission of their parent/guardian) have to create a short video to say why they’d be the ultimate Digital Kids Vlogger and who they’d love to interview.

 

Each winner will also win VIP passes for them and their family to attend the show and £100 gift vouchers.

 

Videos are then to be uploaded to the Digital Kids Show YouTube Channel, the competition closes on 31st August. Full T&Cs apply, winners will be announced on the 5th September and must be available to report live from the show on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October 2016 at EventCity in Manchester.

 

Aisha Tilstone, Digital Kids Show Founder said: “This is the perfect opportunity for any young person keen to make a name for themselves in the vlogging world. They’ll get the opportunity to meet and interview some of their favourite celebrities, and gain loads of great experience as well as tips so they can start their own Vlog.

 

“In 2015 DanTDM is estimated to have earned between 4-6 million over the year, so as well as an exciting and fun opportunity, the world of vlogging really presents a genuine career path that children can explore.”

 

The two-day event is the first of its kind bringing to life the exciting digital world in a fun and friendly format for children, parents, teachers and those responsible for children.

 

The show features six zones including the Gaming and Retro Tech which will feature the very best retro and next generation computer games and tech so parents can battle it out on their favourite games from Mario to Minecraft there will be something for everyone. Visitors will also get a glimpse of the future being the first to experience and see some of the latest innovation from the digital world including VR gaming and the latest gadgets.

 

A Digital, STEM & Coding Skills Zone – this exciting and innovative zone will help to inspire children about the vast array of digital opportunities with fun, practical challenges and experiences, kids will be able to learn and get inspired and perhaps show their parents a trick or two.

 

The Safe Tech Zone is all about helping to keep children safe online and will provide the very latest advice to stay one step ahead of the dangers and risks of being online, from cyber bulling to predators, hackers to viruses this zone is all about keeping your children, your tech and you safe online.

 

Get physical in the Appletics and Kids Food Zone, whilst computers have had their fair share of stick over the years, this zone celebrates the way tech can be used to aid healthy living. From fun challenges battling it out with your avatar for the most steps and the best at boxing to learning to cook and tracking what your family is eating. What’s more we’ve got one of Children’s TV’s favourite faces Mr. Bloom stopping by to say hello and sing songs.

 

In the Children’s Media Zone, kids will be able to get hands on and learn all about blogging, vlogging and social plugging, with famous faces from Nickelodeon and CBeebies popping by including Dick and Dom, as well as some YouTube sensations they’ll be lots to learn and loads of fun to be had from taking amazing selfies to meeting online heroes.

 

Finally, the Digital Angels Zone is set up with tech experts to help you get the most out of the tech you have with handy tips and hints and also steer you in the right direction if you’re looking to invest in some new tech with buying advise to get the best deal and the products that are right for you beating the jargon and getting down to the important facts and fun available at your fingertips.

 

The show has been created and curated by online child safety expert Aisha Tilstone will take place on 29 and 30 October at Event City, Manchester and will welcome 10,000 people each day.

 

As well as loads of digital fun, they’ll be lots of traditional fun on offer too with rides, shows and performances on the main stage, a driving zone for 11-17 year olds to get behind the wheel and plenty to see and do including some Halloween fun on Sunday 30 October welcoming in kids in their best fancy dress.

 

As Ed Vaizey Minister of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said:  “Packed with fun, educational and informative activity it really is the perfect event to get involved in and attend.”

 

Kortext predicts international expansion will bring ‘rapid’ growth

/in /by

Kortext, the UK’s leading digital textbook platform, is predicting rapid growth over the next three years fuelled by international expansion and partnerships with Microsoft and Samsung.

 

The Bournemouth-based business anticipates 3-4 times year-on-year growth, as it eyes contracts with universities in Europe, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region. It has also signed a recent contract in Nigeria to provide the very first university in West Africa with a digital learning platform and e-textbook scheme. The company also has offices in the US and in Canada.

 

As well as continuing to build its university-wide partnerships, the next phase of growth will see the company focus on developing its consumer strategy, with the supply of digital textbooks to students and academics through a webstore. Kortext currently has partnerships with more than 40 U.K. universities.

 

Kortext has experienced significant growth since CEO James Gray founded the company in 2013. Following private investment, the company has secured new offices in Bournemouth’s ‘Silicon Beach’ area to support its expansion. It has also created an Innovation Lab, which will develop new products to enable Kortext to stay at the forefront of the digital revolution in higher education.

 

These new products will continue to push the boundaries of learning technology and provide greater accessibility by marrying hardware with content to deliver better educational outcomes for students around the world.

 

James Gray said: “The pace of digital change is rapid and this is now reflected in the higher education sector where students no longer want a passive form of learning. Instead, they expect technology to make learning more immersive, collaborative and most importantly, more accessible.

 

“We’ve had incredible growth over the past three years and are now in an exciting phase of international expansion which will see us take Kortext’s digital textbook platform global. We will work with distribution partners who have the market and technical knowledge to drive the Kortext product forward.

 

In October, Kortext partnered with Microsoft to integrate its digital textbook software into the Office365 cloud-based platform, which is used by all universities in the U.K. and thousands more globally. By adding over 300,000 education titles to Office365, Kortext and Microsoft are able to offer an affordable and extensive selection of digital learning materials to universities worldwide. As part of the project, Kortext is also creating a new universal Windows 10 reading app.

 

Key Kortext partnerships include Middlesex University, which is Europe’s largest university-wide digital textbook contract, enabling the company to provide around 18,000 students free access to their core textbooks. In addition, a separate partnership with Samsung enabled Kortext to win a contract to supply 10,000 students at the University of East London with a Samsung Galaxy Note tablet pre-installed with the Kortext app loaded with their digital textbooks.

 

The Kortext app is free to download giving users access to a wide range of reading content such as useful research, ebooks from the Google Play Store or journal articles, library loans and lecture notes all from one place.

 

For more information, please visit http://www.kortext.com/