Computeam EDIT - February Newsletter

The Ed-IT
An update for clients and the Education Technology Industry at large

Computeam and IDN finalise merger and
introduce new look brand for 2018.

We are delighted to announce that role of Group Managing Director and Cris
education technology specialists, IDN and Cadby of IDN taking the role of Chairman.
“We are thrilled to be joining forces with IDN, a company
Computeam have recently completed
a merger. This deal will create a leading with similar values and a great pedigree of service
delivery in schools. This deal will allow us to invest in our
national ed-tech company with the
ability to invest in innovative new offer like never before and make a difference to
technology, while maintaining the teaching and learning in hundreds of schools across the
high quality, personal service that both
companies are known for in their country”
Owen Napier, Managing Director,
respective regions.
Computeam aims to improve education Computeam Ltd.
outcomes using technology and works “Combining our companies made sense from the very
with over 200 school clients spread across first meeting. We both share a passion for the education
the Midlands, North-West and North-East sector and will have a fantastic range of new services to
of England. Founded in 1998, and currently
based in Stockport, the company offers a offer our combined client base.”
range of services from managed networks Cris Cadby, Chairman, Computeam Ltd.
and IT support, to training and consultan-

cy.

IDN has a similar heritage, supporting
schools across the South-West of England

and South Wales from its base near
Taunton. IDN was founded in 2000 and now
works with over 180 clients, offering a wide

range of ICT and audio-visual solutions.

The management teams of both
Companies will combine, with

Owen Napier of Computeam taking the

www.computeam.co.uk | [email protected] | 0800 862 0123

A Helping Hand with GDPR –
FREE Education Events and Advice

Network security is vital for any school and We can also help with every aspect of data
with the new General Data Protection security, from protecting your network

Regulation (GDPR) coming into force in against viruses, to mapping your
May 2018, we must all do more to keep compliance with the GDPR: just ask your
personal data safe. account manager for a meeting to discuss

There has recently been a big increase in any of the following:
the number of schools requesting data Comprehensive new anti-virus and
security services from Computeam. anti-spam software

We are aware that our clients are already A GDPR dashboard to map your journey
planning to take stock of their data security towards compliance
Secure encryption of stored data and the
across all aspects of their school. ability to send encrypted email
As such, Computeam are offering two FREE Two-factor authentication to keep your re-
education events for schools in the North- mote access service ultra-secure
West to help demystify this complex and

often confusing topic.

To book your place, please visit Automated data backup, because even the
our website. most effective defences might fail.

With cybercrime on the rise and The above services can all be purchased
tighter regulation, our services combine separately, or as part of our Computeam
Secure bundle, starting from just £37 per
high-quality network security, data
security, back-up and a helping hand teacher per year.
We’ve teamed up with industry leading
on compliance with the GDPR
partners ESET & Wonde to provide:
- Automated Data Backup
- Anti-Virus and Anti-spam software
- GDPR dashboard
- Managed Encryption service
- Two Factor Authentication

Don’t forget that we are also happy to
provide general advice and guidance on

this topic completely free of charge too.

Please contact us to arrange a call or
meeting.

“We can’t speak highly enough of the consistently reliable and prompt service that we receive.”
- Helen Boother, Hatherleigh Primary School

Reengaging Students after the School
Holidays with EdTech

The post-holiday period for many to stop in the classroom; EdTech makes
students can bring a real lack of working together more flexible, students
motivation. Faced with the task of can communicate both in the classroom
transitioning from ‘switch-off mode’ to a and at home, as well as share their work
regular routine is difficult for anyone, but
for students it can be particularly online.
difficult. Are you looking for ways to
reignite student focus and engagement, Eliminate homework worries
both in and out of the classroom? Say Students stress about homework,
“Hello” to EdTech, or Education mostly because they leave it too late
technology as it is otherwise known. before the deadline to complete it.
EdTech makes learning convenient, Unfortunately, technology can’t eliminate
current and exciting. Here are 3 reasons poor time management but it can help
why EdTech is the key to reengagement students who don’t fully understand the
task and may be worrying about
during the post-holiday lull. completing their homework at home.

EdTech is the future! With EdTech, students and teachers can
EdTech, has come a long way from its stay in touch all the time without
creation at Stanford University in the teachers needing to hand their
Sixties. EdTech encompasses so much
more than simply using computers to personal phone numbers or emails out.
teach maths and reading to children There are a variety of apps available that

online. allow students to communicate with
teachers. Students can get homework help
Students love the internet and technology
and use it to near enough everything from and teachers can send important
communication to shopping. Technology reminders (to those who struggle with
gets students excited, through EdTech it is
time management!).
now possible for them to submit
homework online, access entire online Key Thinking to the future, encouraging
collaboration and erasing worry woes
Stage/GCSE/A-level/degree platforms, around homework are just some of the
use informal mobile learning applications, ways in which EdTech can reactivate the

explore gamification and virtual reality study bug in all students!
techniques. Who doesn’t love discovering

something new?

Collaboration is key Cris Cadby
Studying can be isolating and many work
better when working with other students. Chairman - Computeam

Therefore, during this difficult period
EdTech can make it more convenient for
students to team up and collaborate with
one another. Collaboration doesn’t have

www.computeam.co.uk | [email protected] | 0800 862 0123

BETT Show 2018

What a great show it was…
A buzzing atmosphere, thought provoking sessions and most of all
powerful conversations into what the future of the education holds.
From the Solutions Den which allowed you to learn how to use software
and product solutions, to Bett Futures that was designed to showcase the
best in class edtech startups from around the world.
Computeam Ltd were inspired by what #BETT2018 had to offer. Here is our
take on this years event...

Cris Cadby, Computeam Chairman Following on from that and extending the
theme further I attended a fascinating
The Year of Immersive Learning keynote speaker session from Anthony
and The Class of 2030 Salcito, Microsoft’s VP of Worldwide

Having attended BETT for over 20 years Education “The Future of Digital Learning”
sometimes you can leave with the feeling where he talked about the Class of 2030
that not a lot was different from last year.
and that the Class of 2030 are a
That was not the case this year. generation of ‘phygital’ students; their
Yes there were still hundreds of vendors experience of the physical and digital
pedalling their (hard)wares to anyone that worlds is so deeply intertwined that their
they could entice but the differentiator learning is optimised when the two are

this year was the move by the more used in tandem.
progressive vendors to ensuring that their
It is a fascinating time in EdTech and I look
products create an Immersive Learning forward to seeing how the vendors and
Experience for pupils. integrators develop their plans and
strategies to address the Immersive
A pet hate of mine has always been Learning expected by the class of 2020...
vendors and resellers pushing products let alone the class of 2030.
into schools without a clear curricular
outcome, an example of this methodology
was demonstrated by Promethean, whose
platinum suite experience “The World of
Immersive Learning” barely mentioned

their hardware at all but clearly
demonstrated how the use of technology

in the proper educational context
transforms and enhances the learning
experience which the pupil takes forward

into their working lives.

Owen Napier, Computeam Managing Director Mr ChaffIT, Education Technology Consultant

My BETT 2018 Takeaway A Teaching Perspective

BETT was once all about companies BETT has always been cutting edge in the
launching the next big hardware gadget field of teaching Computing or ICT.
but for years now the focus has been on
software and services. This year continued It had shown those wandering its aisles
what they should be doing and tried to sell
that trend, and while VR and robotics products that they could use ‘off the shelf’
were prominent, one of the things that
to achieve those objectives.
struck me was the focus on the less These products were either online, and
exciting but vitally important area of
therefore so ‘corridored’ and too
security. restrictive for the creative mind, or
Teachers were queuing round the block to practical ‘kit’ that was too technical and
sucked any confidence out of those trying
see a seminar entitled:
“Mountain or Molehill? GDPR in to use them.
Perspective” (it helped that Bob Geldof But how things have changed.
was one of the speakers of course!) and
there were many companies highlighting The word this year is ‘block’.
the increased threats that go hand in hand Everyone can put 2 blocks together right?
with the modern connected school. Numerous stands were full of blocks; some
In terms of addressing the challenge of familiar chrome Lego style building blocks
security, one of the outstanding products
for me was Barracuda Security Essentials. that are conductive and
While most schools have an anti-virus programmable (www.brixotoys.co.uk),
solution installed on their networks, few some big and bright for small hands that
have properly considered vulnerabilities
that come with web-based email systems make cars or robot friends
(www.robowunderkind.com), and some
such as Office365.
Barracuda’s products take care of this perfect for slightly bigger hands, app
area and make our Managed Services to driven that include loads of teaching plans

schools more effective by giving and resources to get the ball rolling.
Computeam powerful monitoring tools. (www.samlabs.com and
We are busy incorporating this and other
new products into our Computeam Secure http://store.makeblock.com/p/neuron)
service and I’m feeling confident that we This objective lead integrated learning
can help our clients to protect themselves style employed by the above and more,
and comply with the new GDPR better now allow the children to learn creatively
and independently, without fear, without
than ever before!
limits.
Just point them in roughly the right
direction, stand back and be amazed.

No excuses now, to your starting blocks….

We are already looking forward to seeing
what #BETT2019 has to offer!

www.computeam.co.uk | [email protected] | 0800 862 0123

Taking Pupils on an Impossible and
Unforgettable Field Trip

We’re delighted to announce that Computeam were shortlisted for the highly
prestigious Bett Award in the Primary Content category for 2018.

This is the 4th year in a row that Computeam have made waves at BETT, shortlisted for
Innovator of the Year in 2015, winning in 2016 and winning Best in Show for VR in 2017.

Our Viking themed resource uses state of From here, Pupils are taken back in time
the art augmented and virtual reality to to 990AD via virtual reality. Starting at
tell the tale of Sigurd and the Dragon, a the Halton Cross, pupils can enter a Viking
classic story that underpins the basis of longhouse where stone carvings identical

many other myths and legends. to those on the Halton Cross are
A classic Viking saga of greed and positioned.
dragons was carved into the stone of a
standing cross in Halton a thousand years A storyteller begins to tell the story of
ago. The cross mixes Christian and Viking Sigurd, a Viking hero and his slaying of the
symbols and the tale is ambiguous in how
dragon, Fafnir. This atmospheric,
it can be viewed on the cross. immersive and beautiful experience is the
As well as telling the tale of Sigurd precursor to the children’s own telling of
slaying the dragon Fafnir, this incredible
relic also sheds light on the story of our the tale and positioning it within the
cultural transformation and Britain’s Viking Viking / Anglo Saxon period.

heritage. All of this is delivered via Android or iOS
devices and accessible VR through Google

Cardboard or similar headsets.

Computeam and London Grid for Learning London Grid for Learning has championed
have partnered with Roger Lang FRSA, the use of Augmented and Virtual reality
Creative Director at Higher Order in the classroom and together we have
Learning. Roger is an expert on this
period of history and the Halton Cross produced a wide range of innovative
resources that really advance the case for
itself. Together we have brought the saga
and history of the period to life through immersive technology in education.
captivating and atmospheric augmented
and virtual reality. Using Roger’s beautiful Computeam Engage is all about putting
3D photogrammetric scans of the cross your technology investments to work
we have brought this incredible object to for a clear educational outcome. We
life in amazing detail which allow pupils select high-quality hardware, install it
professionally and include training
access to its history and beauty. services and value-added extras for a
The resource uses augmented reality fixed annual or quarterly fee.
ActiveWorksheets based on Computeam’s
ActiveLens technology to introduce the

historical context of the Vikings in
Britain.

www.computeam.co.uk | [email protected] | 0800 862 0123

Take a look on our social
media channels to see how
you can win your school an

annual subscription for
ActiveLens

Do you need a Helping Hand with
GDPR?

We have an offer for you!

10% off our ComputeamSecure bundle

(starting from just £475 per annum)

Our Computeam Secure bundles provide powerful encryption tools, security for your
web-based logins and a portal that will map your compliance with GDPR.

We are offering your school a 10% discount on our standard pricing if you sign up
before May 2018 which is the deadline for the GDPR.

To claim this discount, please quote reference EDITFEBSECURE18 to your
account manager.

www.computeam.co.uk | [email protected] | 0800 862 0123

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