Guest: Mark Anderson, co-author of The EdTech Playbook, a former teacher turned education consultant, talking about his own book. Published 14 May 2025, so AI tools discussed are as they stood then.

What this covers

  • Common pitfalls and successes with EdTech, and why teacher support and training matter.
  • School culture and digital strategy.
  • Two frameworks for using technology well: the Five Cs and TPACK.
  • Context, consistency and cognisance in rolling out technology, and building teachers' confidence and competence.
  • AI in teaching: data privacy, balancing AI and human input, and AI literacy in the curriculum.

Before you act on it

See the DfE's digital and technology standards for schools and colleges and its position on generative AI in education. Where an AI tool processes pupil or staff data, run a data protection impact assessment.

About the session

Jonathan talks to Mark, co-author of 'The EdTech Playbook', about strategies and practical ideas for education technology. Mark, with over 20 years of teaching experience, shares his journey from classroom teacher to education consultant, highlighting key ideas from his book. They discuss digital strategy, school leadership, and effective use of technology in education. Learn about the pitfalls and successes of EdTech, making informed choices, and the future impact of AI on teaching and learning. They cover frameworks such as the Five Cs and TPACK, and the role of context, consistency and cognisance in implementing technology in schools.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:11 Meet Mark: Author of the EdTech Playbook

01:27 Mark's Journey in Education and EdTech

02:01 Challenges and Successes in EdTech

03:01 The Importance of Teacher Support and Training

04:01 Effective Use of Technology in Education

05:00 The Role of School Culture and Strategy

14:40 Frameworks for Implementing EdTech

14:53 The Five Cs Approach

16:53 TPACK Framework Explained

20:36 Contextualising EdTech in Schools

21:19 Building Confidence and Competence in Teachers

23:48 Maximising Efficiency with Keyboard Shortcuts

24:44 Implementing Technology in Schools

25:25 The Role of AI in Education

26:42 Digital Literacy and Citizenship

27:25 AI Tools and Data Privacy

29:15 Balancing AI and Human Input in Teaching

34:34 AI Literacy in the Curriculum

35:18 The Importance of Knowledge-Rich Curriculum

36:21 Practical AI Applications for Educators

42:28 The EdTech Playbook Launch

47:07 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways