LWF11 - Lord David Puttnam of Queensgate

Session started with the digital nativity:

He said that one of the things he thought, when he first started taking about this sort of thing, he hoped schools would produce this type of video. Went onto a quote from Bertram Russell which essentially said that states will never put the interests of the child above their own interests.

Education has the potential to drive growth - both internally and in terms of export. There is a concern, however, that the current climate is seeking to shut down the type of disruptive technology that could drive this growth. Also notes that there are now a generation of teachers who are gamers and technology users, like the children they are teaching. They too must be getting frustrated by the power down effect in schools.

What would positive disruption look like. Example was given of the iPhone which revolutionised phones, computers and distribution. There are now a host of other devices that do the same. Mobile technology is close to reaching every human on earth. So where is the specific disruption that will change the way we learn.

Is education insulated or isolated from the disruption the technology is causing elsewhere. We need to discuss who we can embrace the technology that is already embedded in the lives of the pupils in our schools. We need to reboot education to make sure it meets their needs and the needs of the businesses they will work in when they leave school. If the state fails in this task, private companies may step in and do it instead.

Can technology enhance the productivity of schools? Will schools invest in the continuing professional development of its teachers?

Lord Puttnam talked about a film festival where he was a judge. A trend he noticed that the young do not trust the older generation. The see the older generation as having stolen ther pensions, their education and their climate. If we are to win back the trust of the young, we need to engage with them.

Conclusion - Crucial Lessons

• Getting our education right is not just one of many priorities. It is the "Whole ball of wax!"
• No education system can be better than its teachers.
• Teacher education in the digital age has to be lifelong.
• There has to be a national debate on the education of women.

The challenge is, we have to be more persuasive at getting our message across.