The Edtech Podcast

Summary
 
This conversation delves into the critical topic of online safety for children, featuring insights from experts in the field. The discussion covers the impetus behind the Online Safety Act, the roles of organizations like Ofcom and LGFL, and the importance of empowering parents and schools to foster safe online environments. The conversation also addresses the challenges posed by technology, including AI, and emphasizes the need for continuous communication between parents and children regarding online safety.
 
Takeaways The Online Safety Act was prompted by tragic incidents involving children.
Empowering parents and schools is crucial for online safety.
Children's experiences online often differ from their parents'.
Continuous communication about online safety is essential.
Technology is an integral part of children's lives today.
AI poses new risks that need to be addressed.
Schools should engage parents creatively in online safety discussions.
Risk assessments are vital for companies serving children.
Children need to be educated about the risks of online content.
Regulators must hold companies accountable for user safety.

key  topics
Legislation and regulation of online safety (Online Safety Act, Ofcom's role)
Impact of AI and algorithms on children's online experiences
Parental and educational strategies for online safeguarding
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Online Safety and the Guests
03:51 The Impetus Behind the Online Safety Act
05:35 Support from LGFL for Schools and Parents
08:14 The Role of Parents in Online Safety
10:59 Ofcom's Regulatory Role and Responsibilities
13:34 Impact of Algorithms on Children's Online Experience
16:21 Engaging Parents in Online Safety Discussions
18:06 Children's Experiences and Parental Awareness
20:06 Overcoming Parental Barriers to Online Safety Conversations
22:30 The Future of Social Media Regulations
24:38 Empowering Parents and Educators for Online Safety
26:57 Empowering Parents with Resources
28:30 Regulatory Frameworks and Company Accountability
33:40 School Policies on Technology Use
41:45 Navigating the Challenges of AI in Education
47:39 Envisioning a Safer Digital Future
49:57 The Importance of Online Safety in Education
51:04 Navigating the Challenges of AI and Online Safety
Resources
Online Safety Act (UK) - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/29/enacted 
Ofcom's Online Safety Framework - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety 
UN Rights of the Child in Digital - https://www.un.org/en/rights-of-the-child 
UNICEF Digital Child Safety Initiatives - https://www.unicef.org/child-rights/digital-safety 
LGFL Safeguarding Resources - https://www.lgfl.net/online-safety 
Australian Online Safety Laws - https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/children-and-teenagers/online-safety 
Ofcom's Research on Children's Online Experiences - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/children-online 
Global Regulatory Cooperation on Digital Safety - https://www.ituc-csi.org/global-cooperation-digital-safety
The resource I referenced is the Parent Online Safety Toolkit for schools – available to download at https://parentonlinesafety.lgfl.net/

Summary
This conversation explores the current challenges faced by educators in the Middle East amidst ongoing conflicts and the transition to remote learning. Experts discuss the importance of mental health, community support, and effective communication strategies to navigate these turbulent times. They emphasize the need for structured learning, the role of technology, and the significance of cybersecurity in education. The dialogue highlights the collective responsibility of educators to support students and families while maintaining their own wellbeing.
Takeaways
The education community is vital during crises.
Mental health support is crucial for both students and teachers.
Clear communication channels are essential for effective remote learning.
Cybersecurity awareness is increasingly important in education.
Flexibility in teaching methods can enhance student engagement.
Community support networks can provide valuable resources and reassurance.
Educators should prioritize their own wellbeing to better support others.
Structured learning helps maintain a sense of normalcy for students.
Inclusion practices must adapt to current challenges.
Sharing best practices among educators can lead to improved outcomes.
 
Chapters
 
00:00 Understanding Trauma and Its Effects on the Brain
06:05 Practical Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety
09:16 Introduction and Context of Online Learning in Bahrain
15:10 Navigating Technology and Resources in Education
21:40 Introduction to Ivan's Journey in Education
27:51 The Importance of Wellbeing in Online Teaching
31:57 Introduction and Current Situation in Saudi Arabia
39:11 Learning from Global Educational Communities
41:30 Introduction to Julia Knight and Her Role
49:52 Understanding Unique Community Needs in Education
52:28 Introduction to Inclusion in Education
58:32 Safeguarding and Vulnerability in Education
01:02:50 Introduction to the Current Educational Landscape
01:04:55 Navigating Distance Learning Challenges
01:08:37 Strategies for Parents and Educators
01:12:01 The Importance of Structure in Education
01:13:07 Introduction to BSME and Current Challenges
01:16:03 Community Support and Communication Strategies
01:19:10 Well-being and Mental Health Initiatives
01:22:12 Advice for Schools and Educators
Dr Catherine O'Farrell
www.incluzun.com
https://www.instagram.com/incluzunme/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071126186624
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katescc/
www.incluzun.com
https://www.instagram.com/incluzunme/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071126186624
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katescc/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-knight-mcct-a558a11a1?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios 
https://www.cois.org/about-cis/perspectives-blog/blog-post/~board/perspectives-blog/post/supporting-students-impacted-by-the-conflict-in-the-world
 
From Clemmie Stewart
Shannon Parfitt: Tom Percival books are great, they are all based on different emotions and help children to relate to the story and talk about their own feelings 
Oak Academy for online learning may help to reduce workload and planning time. It's based on the British Curriculum. https://www.thenational.academy/lp/how-to-use-Oak-in-3-easy-steps-b
1. 🧠 Mental Health & Anxiety Support
For Children: Use the '3-3-3 Rule' to ground them (name 3 things they see, 3 sounds they hear, and move 3 parts of their body). Organizations like ABC Center Riyadh and Aspris Wellbeing Centre offer specialized child-friendly CBT and emotional support.
For Adults: The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) provides a directory of licensed providers. Their 'Qareebon' app is an excellent resource for immediate mental health self-assessment and guidance.
Sarah Johnson:
I've worked a lot yesterday to get some more free resources relating to war on my website
There is no charge, please use them as is helpful for you and your communities
https://lnkd.in/eTJP4wtz
Louise Dawson
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/louiseinclusion_things-feel-different-arabic-activity-7434505285802672128-epYK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAZ-4IgB7NeHtFDKodx9z7IIo3hZafNjeOo
Julie Knight 
Ivan Langton
Meet link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/16KLND4P4Z1-2A6FQP4vNWZo3TQNyOg05/view?usp=sharing
Google vids to record content or make content - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1myPhqdcFh5vmhiG1MKmZOkLg5bTZ7Kq7/view?usp=sharing
Canva code - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eIXPZ12SQbvV431bg9dYuWfxzwpHN44n/view?usp=sharing
Google assignments - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OaV3qdL3xsW2bqp9jk9s_zExBxylhjWV/view?usp=sharing
https://www.linkedin.com/in/misterel/
debra forsyth
 
https://www.bsme.org.uk/
https://www.cobis.org.uk/
Jeffrey Smith

We begin this episode with Laurie Forcier and Pablo Langa from EDT & Partners, who share their insights on global education strategy and the impact of artificial intelligence amid today's shifting geopolitical landscape.
Next, Graham Feek from Greenwood Academies Trust highlights an important warning regarding potential hardware supply shortages in the education sector. He also emphasizes that schools must begin shifting their culture in how they view technology as an investment that drives efficiency, rather than merely an expense.
The conversation continues with Jarno Aantjes from ReadSpeaker, who explains how their text-to-speech technology supports the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach in creating more inclusive learning environments for neurodivergent students and additional language learners.
Complementing this discussion, Katie Freeman from Internet Matters underscores the importance of media literacy and online safety for children. She also stresses the need for schools to transition toward safer, more protected AI usage approaches by 2026.
Although Bett UK 2026 has concluded, innovation in education never stops. Visit https://uk.bettshow.com/ to explore event highlights and stay connected with the global education community.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Edmentum — visit https://www.edmentum.com/ — and fully supported by the Bett team.

We kick off this episode with Neelam Parmar, who shares her insights on digital transformation and the integration of AI within global education systems. Neelam highlights how different regions are leading technological innovation, from online safety standards in the UK and AI-driven healthcare efficiency in China, to groundbreaking tech testbeds in the Middle East. Next, we turn to Derek Devine from Clever, who shares his unique career journey transitioning from a wedding planner to the world of EdTech. Derek explains how the Clever platform is alleviating the burden on schools worldwide by providing accessible, free technology for educators and students.
Rounding out the conversation, Kat Couchie from NetSupport joins us to discuss the strong sense of community at Bett this year, including the fantastic energy at the Women in EdTech events. Kat also emphasizes the crucial renewed focus on inclusion and support for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), reminding us that any use of technology in the classroom must always be driven by strong pedagogical reasons to truly support student development and needs.
Although Bett UK 2026 has come to a close, innovation in education never stops. Visit https://uk.bettshow.com/ to explore the event's highlights and stay connected with the global education community. This episode is proudly sponsored by Edmentum—visit them at https://www.edmentum.com/—and fully supported by the Bett team.

In this episode, we welcome Edward Fitzpatrick, CEO of Conflow Power, to discuss the revolutionary "iLamp." Edward explains how he is transforming the humble street light from a "dumb," single-use utility into a smart, multi-functional device likening the shift to the evolution from a simple watch to a smartphone. He details the groundbreaking battery technology behind it, which allows these lamps to function off-grid by harvesting ambient energy, effectively creating a self-sustaining power source on every street corner.
The conversation expands into the critical intersection of energy and Artificial Intelligence. Edward introduces the concept of "AI Factories"—off-grid data centers powered entirely by renewable sources. He argues that as AI's power consumption skyrockets, the traditional grid cannot cope, necessitating a move to decentralized power solutions that can rejuvenate rural areas and farms while supporting the next generation of computing without environmental cost.
Finally, Edward highlights the immense educational potential of this technology, inviting schools and universities to witness these innovations firsthand at their site in Warwickshire. He believes that seeing "live physics" and tangible coding applications can inspire a new generation of engineers. You can learn more about these projects at ilamp.com, conflowpower.com, and aifactories.com