The Edtech Podcast

Matt from Canva, an EMEA education lead who helps schools adopt Canva, talks about the platform's reach and practical classroom tools. He showcases Magic Sort and whiteboard time-savers. He outlines country-wide rollouts and partnerships, plus plans to make Canva feel truly local with culturally relevant assets.

Michael Forshaw, founder of EdTech Impact who builds evidence-driven edtech tools. Andy Donachie, COO at The CPD Group who safeguards CPD credibility. James (Taskmaster Education), former teacher bringing Taskmaster to schools to boost teamwork and creativity. They discuss Taskmaster Club’s classroom challenges, the rise of low-quality AI training and why accreditation matters, and uncovering shadow apps with a Digital Audit.

Liz Crawford, Head of Global Education at Kahoot! — steering Kahoot! from quizzes to an AI-enabled learning ecosystem. Connor Gaitley, Edmentum senior executive — driving diagnostics, personalised learning and career-connected pathways. Andrew from the National Literacy Trust — launching the National Year of Reading to reignite children’s reader identities. They discuss reading engagement, career exploration, AI tools for assessment, and platform evolution.

Nici Foote, accessibility advocate championing joyful, multimodal learning for neurodiverse students. Mark House, former teacher and assessment lead focused on aligning assessment with real-world skills and AI impacts. Vicky Merrick, assessment innovator piloting comparative judgment for art, music and PE. They discuss comparative judgment for subjective subjects, AI reshaping assessment priorities, and practical digital inclusion tools that make learning playful.

Andrew Slawinski, Lead of Product Development for LEGO Education and former LEGO research scientist at MIT. He discusses LEGO’s new Computer Science and AI tools. Conversation covers teaching AI fundamentals like bias and probability. They stress strict classroom privacy, avoiding anthropomorphism, and building teacher confidence with practical tests. Children are eager to explore and co-design with the tech.

Lord Jim Knight, a former education minister and advocate for inclusive education, addresses the moral panic over technology in schools and how AI can transform assessment. Jez and John, co-founders of UHQ, share their journey of creating a wellbeing platform that aids nearly 200 schools, highlighting its role in identifying struggling students. Paddy from Everway discusses his company's accessibility tools, ensuring continuous support for neurodiverse learners from schools to workplaces, advocating for inclusion at every stage.

Shantanu, a senior leader at Google for Education, discusses the groundbreaking AI tool, Gemini 3.0, at BETT UK 2026. He emphasizes the shift from 'promise to practice' in classrooms, sharing how tools like LearnLM enhance learning. Shantanu highlights the importance of data privacy and admin control, while new features like audio lesson generation and NotebookLM showcase accessibility and personalization. With insights from global pilots, he reveals how educators can reclaim precious time, transforming the educational landscape with innovative technology.

Kerry Weston, an education leader at the BRIT School, discusses blending digital innovation with arts education, arguing that human connection is vital despite AI's potential. Joanna Gibbs, founder of SENsational Tutors, shares her transition into neuro-inclusive education while addressing anxiety around the upcoming SEND white paper and the importance of personalized support for students. Finally, Phil, from Tide Education, highlights the need for a unified student intervention timeline to improve collaboration amongst schools, families, and teachers, emphasizing real-time data entry to avoid lost information.

Dan Fitzpatrick is an educator, author, and AI advisor in education, known for his work on accessibility and ethical AI strategies. He shares his journey from the classroom to global AI leadership, emphasizing how ChatGPT has transformed educational possibilities. The discussion tackles the tension between AI risks and advantages, advocating for courageous decision-making in schools. Dan's strategic advice encourages educators to embrace bold visions while learning from failures, promoting collaboration and innovation in advancing education.

Ever feel like education keeps moving forward, yet too many learners are still being left behind? Curricula feel disconnected from real life, assessment systems label students too early, while technology and AI are advancing faster than schools can adapt. The result is a growing gap between what learners need and what the system delivers. In this episode, Philippa has a conversation with Al Kingsley to explore those tensions head-on, from what truly defines a good school to why curiosity, human skills, and equitable access to technology matter more than ever. Together, they unpack the uncomfortable questions education often avoids and why now is the moment to rethink learning for a changing world. These conversations don't end with the podcast. Bett UK 2026 is where educators, leaders, innovators, and policymakers from around the world come together to turn ideas into action. From AI and edtech to curriculum and human-centred education, Bett is where the future of learning takes shape. Save the date and join Bett UK 2026 - because meaningful change starts with showing up. Don't miss the chance to experience the innovations shaping the future of education firsthand and be part of this global conversation. For full details and registration, please visit: https://uk.bettshow.com/