‘Embrace new technology or get out of their way!’
In a nutshell, that’s the message coming from the UK’s leading advocate of technology for learning, Russell Prue.
And this is a man who knows what he’s talking about.
Russell has been working in learning technology for over 23 years and is one of the most engaging speakers in education today, described by the Times Educational Supplement as ‘the best known ICT evangelist in the UK’.
An ‘evangelism’ is not too strong a word for it, as anyone who has heard Russell speak will testify. It is for this reason that he is a regular at BETT working for the BBC, that he is a key speaker at major conferences including the NCSL’s 2008 conference on Building Schools for the Future and that he is regularly called on as an ICT expert by BBC television and radio and Sky TV. 
And it is for these reasons that Russell fits so well into the Independent Thinking way of doing things.
To see Russell speak is to see technology in action as he demonstrates all the latest hardware and software, gizmos and gadgets that prove that there’s far more to IT than ‘It’s Typing’.
He has even invented learning technology products himself including the amazing ‘cre8 txt’ device, something that turns a QWERTY keyboard into a mobile phone keypad and has been proven to motivate even the most reluctant writer.
Click here for more information about this life-changing but simple device (and contact us if you would like a free trial and a special offer exclusive to Independent Thinking clients).
Apart from his prowess on the conference podium, Russell is also in demand for INSET days where he helps schools explore how all teachers can benefit from technology to improve learning and motivation. To this end, Russell has teamed up with Independent Thinking to work with schools to help achieve two main goals:
- Plan for the future where technology and learning are far more closely entwined than they are now. As Russell says, 'The £400 coat with in-built mobile phone for sale in Harrods may not be a challenge now, but what about when it's £40 in Matalan?'
- Re-evaluate existing technology and explore how it can be used quickly and effectively in all classrooms to help all children learn in a way that is motivational, engaging and inclusive. And, yes, maybe that means looking at how mobile phones and iPods can actually help raise achievement in your classroom. (He’ll also make sure you know how to implement such a plan without the world falling apart!)
He could even save you thousands of pounds by helping you see that the technology you're being enouraged to invest in is about to be replaced by something smaller and cheaper in a matter of weeks. Mobile phones with PowerPoint projectors in them anybody? Click here and you'll see...
Russell has also put together a special list for Independent Thinking, detailing the technology that he thinks can really make a difference in classrooms. Click here to go to our Top Ten 'Learning Stuff' List.
To witness Russell in full flow you will soon be able to click here to go to his video in our Live! Section, meanwhile, for more information about how he can help make all the amazing advances in learning technology meaningful and achievable for you and your delegates, teachers or students, please e-mail us on learn@independentthinking.co.uk.
We look forward to hearing from you and, in the meantime, remember, the 21st century is not optional.
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