Classroom Technology - My Expectations of the BETT Show, London, January 2016

The importance of information technology

Children love technology. They enjoy using it and their excitement grows when they are with it. This is something that we teachers must take into consideration today. We are teaching in the 21st century, in a world that doesn't stand still. The needs and requirements of our students are constantly changing. We must change with them.That is why we more than ever need further training on classroom technology.

Why visit the BETT Show

It's important to learn from those who are experts on classroom technology, from people who provide solutions for today's classrooms. We also need to learn from each other. The BETT Show which is arranged every year in January at the ExCel Centre in London's Docklands is the perfect place to visit for everybody that wants to learn more about innovative classroom technology, to listen to inspirational people and to meet peers from different parts of the world.

I'm a newbie as far as the BETT Show is concerned. I've never been there before, but next month I'll have the possibility of attending this annual trade show together with six other teachers from my local school district in Larsmo, Finland.

My own IT background

I have had a SMART Board in my classroom since 2007 and I use it together with SMART Notebook or SMART amp during most lessons. I think these two different types of software offer great opportunities for interactive and collaborative lessons. I became a SMART Exemplary Educator about a year ago and I've learned lots of useful things since then. SMART's classroom technology promotes both student and teacher wellbeing at school.

What I want to learn about in London

So, I'm excited to learn even more about SMART's software, also in combination with mobile devices such as iPads and smart phones. I'm thinking about the new Lesson Activity Builder which is available in SMART Notebook 15.2 and new features in SMART amp. No wonder why SMART Technologies at Hall/Stand D 80 is going to be the number one for me on the exhibitor list!

Of course I want to attend a few seminars also. One seminar that I'd rather not miss focuses on inspiring a new generation of tech pioneers. Another one takes a look at  the modern classroom and how to balance technology, space and pedagogy. If I have enough time there, I would also like to attend a seminar that has to do with my own country, Finland. It's called Finland's Largest 1:1 Tablet Initiative.

This means a lot to me

There is one more thing that I'm really thrilled about as far as the BETT Show is concerned - to meet up with a few other SMART Exemplary Educators that became my friends about five months ago during the 2015 Global SMART Exemplary Educators Summit in Calgary, Canada. It's going to be so much fun to see these great teachers again!

I'm looking forward to getting ideas and inspiration in London. Hopefully I'll learn lots of new things about the use of information technology in education. It's great to have access to tools that enable student creativity, personalize learning and foster collaboration. I can't wait to attend the BETT Show next month!