We cannot separate good teaching and good technology

In his blog for the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) last month, general secretary Russell Hobby used the then imminent Bett technology show to express doubts about whether schools were getting real value in terms of learning from the £716 million they are projected to spend on technology in the next academic year.

He said: “...as education leaders, we must guard against fads and panaceas. Technology has no value in itself, only in relation to the problems it solves. We need a reason, a goal, not a glossy brochure or shiny gadget.”

It’s a reasonable, commonly expressed thought that attracted attention for whence it came, and is difficult to quarrel with. Technology leaders themselves will say much the same; certainly Anthony Salcito, Microsoft’s global education vice-president has a constant theme whenever he speaks which can be summarised as: “Start with the learning, not with the device.”