Ulla Hemminki-Reijonen, Project Lead, Global Campus, University of Helsinki join us on this episode. She shares with host Nici Foote her wealth of experience as an awarded EdTech innovator over the past 12 years. Previously a community lead at the Helsinki Education Hub, Ulla innovated new ways to bring EdTech startups, investors, teachers, learners, and researchers together and helped them on their way from idea to innovation.

Ulla and Nici explore the spirit of innovation, her current work in developing a future campus with a strong culture of experimentation. With Finland being top of mind when it comes to education innovation, Ulla explains what the student experience is like and the rise of Finnish EdTech start-ups.

EDUtech_sounds host Nici Foote chats to Wayne Johnson, Head of School at the International School of Belgium. Wayne shares more about his long journey across continents and countries, working in different schools. He shares with Nici the challenges of student recruitment, the importance of parent relationships, and how that plays a role in decision-making.

Wayne is an experienced school leader who has led international schools in three different continents. He believes passionately in holistic education and on making schools a centrepiece of the community.

EDUtech_sounds host Nici Foote chats to Clemmie Stewart, Director of Learning and Teaching at Chatsworth Schools. Discover the “Chatsworth Tapestry”, how it starts with mental health and wellbeing, and Clemmie’s challenges in her current role and for educators in general.

Clemmie has enjoyed over 14 years in education, teaching and leading in state, independent and academy schools. As Director of Learning and Teaching at Chatsworth Schools and Blenheim Schools, Clemmie is responsible for supporting schools in the UK, and abroad, to offer a broad, holistic and inclusive curriculum, enabling children to unleash their potential.

EDUtech_sounds host Nici Foote chats to Mads Lyngby Skrubbeltrang, Rector at Ørestad Gymnasium located in Copenhagen, Denmark. Mads aim is to use creativity and innovation to educate the students and prepare them for further studies.

“Ørestad Gymnasium (Ørestad College) is the first college in Denmark based on the new visions of content, subject matter, organisation and learning systems in the reform of the educational system of the Danish “high-school” (gymnasium)”

Mads shares more about the architecture, how it reflects their approach to teaching and learning, and how it has evolved since the beginning. We look ahead as well to the future and what developments we can expect.

Reference: 3XN. “Ørestad College by 3XN: Schools.” Architonic. Architonic, October 8, 2009. https://www.architonic.com/en/project/3xn-orestad-college/5100079.

EDUtech_sounds host Nici Foote chats with Rachel Evans, Director of Digital Learning & Innovation at Wimbledon High School. Rachel leads on digital innovation and works with teachers to evaluate the use of technology for teaching and learning, implementing evidence-based practices. She is passionate about using technology in an authentic way, keeping human relationships at the heart of learning, with a particular interest in the use of technology to allow students to develop skills of effective collaboration and creative problem-solving.

Rachel shares why we need to keep our focus on the humans in the room and how WHS integrated digital into their strategic vision and broader strategic goals.

Rachel will be speaking at EDUtech Europe 2022, join Rachel and many more inspiring speakers on 5-6 October at RAI Amsterdam. Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3R3ox4O

EDUtech_sounds host Nici Foote chats with Konstantinos Doukas, President and CEO of Doukas School. He is also the founder and Chairman of SoFIA (School of the Future International Academy) an International NGO focusing on supporting educational institutions and schools that wish to excel academically and operationally, by using global best practices and innovative methodologies.

Nici and Konstantinos discuss the current state of education, areas that need changing and the support structures required to make true change. With evolving student needs, Konstantinos shares his thoughts on relooking at learning pathways for our youth and the sort of skills they require to progress into the workforce.

Konstantinos will be speaking at EDUtech Europe 2022, hear from him and many more inspiring speakers on 5-6 October at RAI Amsterdam. Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3R3ox4O

Recommended readings:

Thank you for being late: An Optimist’s guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations by Thomas L. Friedman

School graduation finals are “dead” – long live the student’s e-portfolio by Konstantinos Doukas (https://bit.ly/3dw4cr4)