Welcome to the October 2023 edition of Class Futures Insights, your monthly briefing from me, which aims to round up and track the latest developments in online education and edtech. As your guide to the classrooms of tomorrow 🚀, I hand-pick the most impactful technologies 🖥️, events 🗓️, and strategies ✅ shaping online classrooms today.
In this issue, we’ll analyse hundo’s new AI lessons 🤖, Kabuni’s immersive spaces 📍, and Oak National Academy's latest launches 🚨. I’ll also highlight crucial events, homeschooling resources 👪, and an innovative careers fair 🎓.
My mission is to decode the key trends and innovations in digital learning for you in one place. Read on and if you enjoy these insights and want to stay ahead of the curve, please subscribe.
- Jonathan
In This Edition:
1. hundo: A.I. Lessons for Students (& Parents)
hundo is launching a new course, 'AI Lessons for Students (& Parents) - 17 Essential AI Lessons.' The course is designed to equip young people with essential AI skills and prepare them for the future of work. Interested? Well, you need to be quick because hundo is offering the first 100 places on the course for £1 🔥.
2. Kabuni SPACE: Transforming Learning with Technology
Kabuni has announced its initiative with Bishop Challoner Catholic College to turn its music room into an immersive learning hub called Kabuni SPACE. When complete, this will enable over 1200 students to access a new way of learning using augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, robotics, and 3D printing. The company is working with its Head of computer science and ICT, Babak Mashhadi-Ebrahim, who is also a top 50 finalist for the Global Teacher Prize 2023. Watch this space.
3. Collaboration Laboratory: Exciting Team Challenges
Collaboration Laboratory is launching two new cohorts in the first week of November. Students meet online for one hour per week to work on exciting team challenges and develop skills along the way 🌍.
4. Highgrove Online School: Virtual Events
Highgrove Online School, the new venture from Heather Rhodes launching for September 2024, is hosting a series of virtual events. It is running a series of open events and taster lessons designed to help prospective parents and pupils learn more about its school. View the events here 📆.
5. The Tutors’ Association: National Tutors’ Conference 2023
The Tutors’ Association held its National Tutors’ Conference 2023 and the Tuition Leaders’ Breakfast last week (w/c 23 October) in Westminster, London. Due to bereavement, I was unable to make the event and be part of the panel on the rise of online schools with Heather Rhodes and Hugh Viney. Congratulations John Nichols, Samantha Nichols, and Jon Corbitt for putting the event together. From what I heard and read, it was a great success 👏.
6. CTL Academy Centre for Teaching and Learning: Upcoming Events for Parents
CTL Academy Centre for Teaching and Learning is hosting a series of events for parents. The series is called conversations with parents and the next one is on “What to expect with AI and our children” in November. Find out more here 🙋🏽.
7. Emma White's Facebook Group: Home-Educated Students
If you are supporting a home-educated student who is working towards GCSEs, IGCSEs, A Levels, or UCAS admission, then you may want to take a look at a new Facebook Group called Home Education For Academic Excellence launched by Emma White. Emma has home-educated her sons who are now both at university, and she is also the founder of Mark My Papers, which provides exam feedback services 👩🏼💻.
8. Launchpad23: Supporting Parents in Online Learning
Launchpad23 is hosting its next series of events for parents navigating supplemental online learning options for their child. The next online session called, "Parenting Isn't a Pastime: You Matter," is being hosted on 2nd November. All sessions are free and open to parents everywhere 🌎.
9. Gaia Learning: Part-Time Online SEN Educator
Gaia Learning is currently seeking a part-time Online SEN Educator 👨🏻💻.
10. Sophia High School: Accreditation and Fee Information
Congratulations 👏 to Sophia High School and the team led by co-founder Melissa McBride. It has gained its accreditation as an online education provider from the Department for Education through the Online Education Accreditation Scheme (OEAS). I asked Melissa for a short comment and she said: “We are thrilled to have our programme validated by Ofsted and accredited by the DfE. In light of global teacher shortages, crumbling school buildings, and mental health crises, there has never been a more urgent time to rethink education. Online learning, when done right, can provide high-quality instruction to all students, no matter where they live.”
The accreditation is valid for three years. Fees at the online provider, Sophia High School, start at £3000 a term 🏅.
11. AI Safety Summit: November 1-2 in London
The AI Safety Summit takes place this week November 1-2 in London. Summaries from each session will be published at the end of the summit 🤖.
12. Oak National Academy: New AI-Powered Tools and Procurement
Oak National Academy 🏫 launched two new experimental AI-powered tools, a lesson planner, and a quiz designer. As noted in the last memo, it has also opened its second round of open procurement and is looking for partners to provide teaching resources 📚 for various subjects. Organizations have until 6th November ⏰ to bid.
13. School of Humanity: Careers and University Fair
School of Humanity is hosting its annual careers and university fair 🎓. The virtual event 💻 is happening on 4th November ⏰ and will provide attendees with the opportunity to connect with representatives from universities 🎓, entrepreneurs 💼, and organisations providing gap years and apprenticeships 👷♀️. Definitely worth a look if you are interested in forging a different route 🛣️.
In Conclusion:
Before we conclude, I invite you to subscribe to Class Futures for free. By doing so, you'll remain informed about the latest insights and discoveries within the ever-evolving landscape of online education. Join us on this exciting journey ahead. 🚀
Reflecting on these highlights, it's evident that the online education sector is both vibrant and rapidly evolving. The array of initiatives I've mentioned, spanning innovative courses, immersive learning environments, noteworthy conferences, and accreditation milestones, collectively portrays a dynamic and ever-changing landscape. 📚🌐
Your support, invaluable feedback, and meaningful contributions have played a pivotal role in advancing our shared vision. I encourage you to stay actively engaged, share your valuable insights, and be an integral part of the ongoing dialogue shaping the future of online education. Together, we are driving significant change in the way we learn and teach. 📝🌟
Thank you for your continued support, and I eagerly anticipate the journey ahead.
Further Info:
If you have any news or announcements regarding online schools or online education 🎓 that you would like featured, feel free to contact me on LinkedIn. We welcome relevant updates from the world of online schools, online learning, and edtech 🤖.
To submit news or announcements for consideration in future updates 🗒️, you can reach me through my LinkedIn profile 💼. I look forward to hearing from you 😊.
Finally, if you'd like to learn more about the organisations mentioned in these memos, you can find additional information in the free Online Schools and Learning Guide.
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