SW Digital Educators 2013

Speakers

Gary Spracklen

Profile image Gary Spracklen, a winner of last year's South West Digital Educator Award is returning to share his experiences and lessons learnt in his new, exciting and no doubt challenging post as the Director of Digital Learning and Innovation at the newly opened Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy (IPACA).

IPACA is a non-selective, non-fee paying school from ages 4 – 16, that benefits from having Professor Stephen Heppell as its patron. The Academy has a strong vision to see technology transform learning and Gary is very much at the forefront of making this vision a reality.

Prior to working at IPACA Gary was Acting Assistant Headteacher at the Prince of Wales First School in Dorchester where he developed a reputation for his drive, enthusiasm and the innovative use of technology to both challenge and support all children to reach their full potential. It was as a result of his work using iPads with children with physical disabilities that Gary won the South West Digital Educator Award in 2012.

Gary is @nelkcarps on Twitter

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Ian Usher

Profile image "Ian has inspired a whole generation of learners in Buckinghamshire - teachers, pupils and families included." Paul Adams, Headteacher, Great Horwood Combined School

Ian Usher has worked in Primary, Secondary, Further and Higher Education with learners, teachers and leaders in the use of appropriate technology to support all aspects of learning. As E-Learning Co-ordinator for Buckinghamshire County Council's School Improvement Service he advises & supports schools in using school-based technology such as online learning environments and incorporating other technologies into their practice.

His pioneering work in offering schools Moodle-based virtual learning environments pre-dated Becta's guidance on Learning Platforms and stimulated a collaborative, sharing-centred community of practice around online learning in Buckinghamshire schools.

He was short-listed for a Naace ICT Impact Award in 2013 in the Local Community Impact category and won the Adobe Education Leader Impact Award in April 2010.

His work in using developing innovative uses of video conferencing and collaboration tools led to his selection as an Adobe Education Leader and he also serves as a board member on the AEL programme. In March 2013 he won the Naace ICT Award in for Local Community Impact. He was awarded the Adobe Education Leader Impact Award in April 2010 and in September 2009 won the BERA (British Educational Research Association) Practitioners' Award.

"Put simply Ian has consistently, constantly, and brilliantly, modeled, what it means to be digitally literate in education. His work as digital pioneer, champion and educator has inspired, empowered and enabled countless teachers, pupils and leaders to develop new ways of thinking about, and using technologies, to improve both teaching and learning." Dan China, NSEAD, former Art & Creativity Adviser, Buckinghamshire County Council

Ian's website is ush.org.uk

Ian is @iusher on Twitter

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Steve Wheeler

Profile image Steve Wheeler is Associate Professor of Learning Technologies at Plymouth University. Originally trained as a psychologist, he has spent his entire career working in media, technology and learning, and teacher education and training.

A qualified educator, he teaches on a number of undergraduate and post-graduate teacher education programmes in the UK and overseas. He researches into e-learning and distance education, with particular emphasis on the pedagogy underlying the use of social media and Web 2.0 tools, and he also has research interests in mobile learning and cyber-cultures. His blog Learning with 'e's is a regular online commentary on the social and cultural impact of disruptive technologies, and the application of digital media in education and training.

Steve's influential blog is at steve-wheeler.blogspot.co.uk