Peter Twining | Ed Tech - Ped Tech
Podcast
Intro
Hello Peter and welcome to another episode of @MadeInMayflowerMedia's podcast - where we ask great questions to great guests.
Today, we’re proud to be talking to you, Peter. You are someone who’s spent years helping schools and teachers use technology in brilliant ways — not just to use tech, but to use it to make learning better.
Peter - you've worked in schools, universities, and all kinds of educational spaces — helping people to ask:
What really helps young people learn? And how can technology make school more exciting, more useful, and more fun?
Peter - you have also written a book called Edtech to Pedtech — and we’re really looking forward to asking you about what that means. Let’s get started.
Q1.
Hey Peter - What was school like when you were our age? That's 7 - 11 years old by the way. Did you use any tech at all at School?
Q2.
What made you want to work in education — and then in technology and learning?
Q3. This is a great question peter. This is linked to your book, Edtech to Pedtech. What does “Pedtech” mean — and why is it more important than just “Edtech”?
Q4. Lots of schools have tablets and laptops now. But how do we know if we’re using them well?
Q5. What are some examples you’ve seen of schools doing really cool things with tech? Which schools are nailing pedtech work and why?
Q6. You help teachers think differently. That's what our great previous guest, creative leader, Graham Fink, also says we should do more of. What’s one thing you tell schools who want to get better at using technology?
Q7. What do you think school will look like in 5, 10 or even 20 years?
Q8. We hear a lot about AI. We have had a few great interviews about exactly this subject. AI is huge right now. What is it — and how might it change the way we learn?
Q9. Some people worry that robots or AI will take over. What do you think? Should we be scared or excited and how can we stay safe when working with AI as we grow older?
Q10. What’s something you’ve learnt from working with tech and as a student that changed how you see learning?
Q11. Let's just pretend that we were able to make tech do what we want. What if we could invent a new app or gadget for learning — what would you want it to do? How about a robot that made learning link to outer space? What about that?
Q12. What advice would you give to young people who want to grow up and help change the world through education - how can we make our learning fly high?
Outro
Hi Peter - thank you so much to you - tech expert Professor Peter Twining - for joining us today. We’ve learned that it’s not just about having smart devices or fancy gadgets — it’s about how we use them to make learning more meaningful. From Pedtech to AI and the future of school — Peter reminded us that the best learning comes from curiosity, creativity, and thinking about what really matters. Thanks for listening, don’t forget to keep asking big questions, and when you are next thinking about AI or tech - think of us and remember, Together we can…
Is pedagogical understanding at the heart of digital technology use in your organisation?
Is there pedagogical alignment between how you use digital technology and your pedagogical stance (your values and beliefs about education)?
Bio
I'm Peter Twining.
My passion is enhancing education systems - with a focus on learners and the competences (knowledge, skills and dispositions) they will need in order to lead fulfilling lives and contribute to 'universal wellbeing'.
I believe that teaching should be a profession, but has been systematically de-professionalised over the last 30 years - we need to re-professionalise it.
Digital technology has an increasing impact on so many aspects of our lives - we need to understand those impacts and how best to support young people in our rapidly changing world.
I was a 'late developer' and struggled in school.
Before going to university I worked for a firm of electronic engineers - building computer systems (before home computers were available).
At Sussex University I studied psychology and AI, and developed 'educational' software as a sideline.
After graduating I worked as a computer specialist in a primary school in Abu Dhabi.
I was then the Database Manager for a firm of educational consultants in the UK, and concurrently spent one day per week volunteering in a school in the East End of London.
I subsequently qualified as a primary school teacher and then taught in two schools in the East End of London (Tower Hamlets), in both cases also being the ICT coordinator.
In 1990 I became a lecturer in education, and the School of Education's ICT coordinator.
In 1995 I moved to the Open University (OU) in the UK where my role was to advise on the use of digital technology in their teaching. I subsequently became the Head of the School of Education at the OU, then Professor of Education (Futures) and co-Director of the Centre for Education & Educational Technology. I was also the Co-Editor in Chief of Computers & Education (the leading journal in the field).
In 2019 I moved to the University of Newcastle (Australia) as Professor of Education (Innovation in Schooling and Educational Technology).
I founded Belief2Practice in 2023, whilst retaining an Honorary Professorship at the University of Newcastle.
My qualifications
BA Hons in Social Psychology with Cognitive Studies, University of Sussex (UK)
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (Early Years and Primary), Roehampton Institute of Education (London)
PhD - Enhancing the Impact of Investments in 'Educational' ICT, The Open University (UK)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK (Ref. 2590)
Publications & Presentations
This is a selective list of some of my keynote speeches, invited presentations and publications.
Keynotes & Invited presentations
Quality education and standardisation. World Education Summit (WES), March 2022, Online.
Additional Routes to Success. Pre-dinner speech for the Future Schools Alliance networking event in Newcastle, 6th June 2022.*
Moving beyond standardised testing. The 4th International Conference on Computer Science and Technologies in Education (CSTE), 8th May 2022, Xi’an, China (Online). https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Xr4y147z6?spm_id_from=333.999.0.0
Schooling in the automation age: What is quality education? International Conference on Teaching and Learning (ICOTAL), March 2020, Pakistan.*
Schools/Teachers doing research. Engaging with research in schools - Australian Association for Research in Education: Schools and Education Systems Special Interest Group Seminar.10-Sept-2020, Australia (Online). https://youtu.be/AOZ8kZTHY_A?t=2060
If school is the problem, what is the solution? Open University Inaugural lecture. 25th June 2019, Milton Keynes. http://www.open.ac.uk/research/events/if-school-problem-what-solution*
Alternative assessment and reflective practice. BERA SIG Conference: Learning differently – new frontiers for community collaboration, agency and identity. April 2019, London. https://www.bera.ac.uk/event/new-frontiers*
Nieuwe doelen. Nieuwe praktijken. Nieuwe pedagogiek? (New Purposes. New Practices. New Pedagogy?). ITEM Conference (CreativITy), January 2018, London.*
Introducing Point of Learning (PoL), Invited speech, Imagine Education Seminar and Dinner, 26-Jan-2017, HMS Belfast, London.
Children's digital practices, pedagogy & assessment - revolution, stasis & constraints. Naace Regional Conference, October 2016, London.
ICT in Schools: Why does it matter and what is possible? Invited presentation, 18-Jan-2016, British Council BETT Study Tour, London.
Digital technology strategies in schools: looking back, looking forward. IT16, June 2016, Ashford (UK).*
Digital technology strategies in schools: looking back, looking forward. The NEN Strategic Conference, October 2015, Wyboston (UK).
Maximising ICT’s impact on learning. Invited presentation. UNESCO/KFIT ICT in Education Project Inception, October 2015, Paris.*
ETAG and the future of assessment in schools. Invited speech. 24-Jun-2015, BTL 40th Anniversary, London.
Mainstreaming innovative practices: system-wide support for teachers. Invited presentation, 23-May-2015, The International Conference on ICT & Post-2015 Education, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China.*
Some Vital lessons about effective CPD. Invited presentation. 27-Feb-2015, The Education Innovation Conference, Manchester.
ICT in Schools: Why does it matter and what is possible? Invited presentation, 22-Jan-2015, British Council BETT Study Tour, London.
Member of the closing keynote panel, The Australian Computers in Education Conference, October 2014, Adelaide, Australia.
Digital technology strategies: emerging trends and cross-cultural comparisons. Research Seminar, 23-Oct-2014, The Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Queensland.
Teacher education at a distance. Invited lecture, 8-Oct-2014, The Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Queensland.*
Assessment – new frontiers? The Surpass Conference, September 2014, Amsterdam. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bFp_33QFdc
Does digital technology really enhance engagement? The DEANZ Conference: Open, flexible and distance learning: where is the “e” in engagement? April-May 2014, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Bringing Innovative Technology & Educators Together. Technology in Education 2014, March 2014, London.
What does it mean for schools? New pedagogy in classrooms. New Technologies in Education Conference, February 2014, Belgrade, Serbia.
What is going on with ICT in England? QSITE Conference, October 2013, Sunshine Coast, Australia.
Digital technology strategies: emerging trends and cross-cultural comparisons. Research Seminar, 12-Dec-2013, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania. https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=IcPPzYOF5ro&feature=youtu.be
Digital technology strategies: emerging trends and cross-cultural comparisons. Research Seminar, 28-Nov-2013, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria.
Digital technology strategies: emerging trends and cross-cultural comparisons. Research Seminar, 6-Nov-2013, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales.
Digital technology strategies: emerging trends and cross-cultural comparisons. Public lecture, 17-Oct-2013, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland.
Digital technology strategies: emerging trends and cross-cultural comparisons. Public lecture, 16-Oct-2013, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland.
Digital technology strategies: emerging trends and cross-cultural comparisons. Public lecture, 8-Oct-2013, University of Southern Queensland, Hervey Bay, Queensland.
Digital technology strategies: emerging trends in English schools. CSaLT twilight seminar, 12-Sept-2013, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia.
The new ICT Computing National Curriculum: An update Delivering an ‘Outstanding’ Primary ICT Curriculum Conference, May 2013, London.
Current ICT Practices in English Schools. BESA Study Tour Conference. 28th January 2013. BIS, London.
Creativity, Digital Literacy and Open Educational ResourcesHEA/JISC ‘OER Workshop’, July 2012, Oxford.
A Vital Update: Whither ICT? Guardian Conference on ICT in schools, June 2012, London.
Invited speaker at Media Round Table Debate: How will the IT industry help embed technology in schools and encourage cross-curricular learning? 27th March 2012, London.
What role should ICT play in compulsory education in the 21st Century?LearnLive Presentation at BETT, 11th January 2012, London.
Enhancing the teaching of ICT across the curriculum Emerging Technologies Conference, June 2011, Durham.
Revitalising ICT CPD The ICT for Education Conference, September 2010, Brighton.
Mistakes we have made: learning from the Schome Park Programme. JISC RSC Conference, March 31st 2009, Cambridge.
Rethinking education for the 21st Century: Open Virtual Worlds. Exeter University Research Seminar Series, 9th June 2009, Exeter.
Exploring 'unclaimed' educational spaces: dimensions of practice emerging from the Schome Park Programme. JISC CETIS/Eduserv conference, 16th January 2009. Glasgow. http://www.slideshare.net/sheilamac/cevw09-pt-presentation
Open 2 the net? Exploring pedagogy, pragmatics and rationalesInternational e-Learning Conference, 20th to 21st November 2008, Bangkok, Thailand.
Exploring the educational potential of virtual worldsGuest lecture at Surindra Rajabhat University, 24th November 2008, Surin, Thailand.
Education systems for the future?JISC RSC Conference: Journeys into Virtual Worlds, February 2008, Norwich.
Using Teen Second Life to explore visions of schome, Second Life Best Practices in Education Conference, 25th May 2007, Second Life Main Grid.
From innovation to embedding, Microsoft Innovative Teachers’ Conference, April 2004, London.
Publications
Aubrey-Smith, F. & Twining, P. (2024). From EdTech to PedTech: Changing the way we think about digital technology. Routledge.
Twining, P., Butler, D., Fisser, P., Leahy, M., Shelton, C., Forget-Dubois, N. & Lacasse, M. (2021) Developing a quality curriculum in a technological era. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69. 2285-2308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-020-09857-3
Twining, P. (2021) Making sense of young people’s digital practices in informal contexts: The Digital Practice Framework. British Journal of Educational Technology. 52(1), 461-481. doi:10.1111/bjet.13032
Butler, D., Leahy, M., Twining, P., Akoh, B., Chtouki, Y., Farshadnia, S., Moore, K., Nikolov, R., Pascual, C., Sherman, B. & Valtonen, T. (2018) Education Systems in the Digital Age: the need for alignment. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, Vol.23, No.3, pp.473-494. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-018-9388-6
Lee, M., Broadie, R. & Twining, P. (2018). Your kids being digital: A guide for digitally connected families. Douglas and Brown. ISBN-13: 978-0-9945336-4-7
Pérez-Sanagustín, M; Nussbaum, M; Hilliger, I; Alario-Hoyos, C; Heller, R.S; Twining, P. & Tsai, C-C (2017) Research on ICT in K-12 schools – A review of experimental and survey-based studies in Computers & Education 2011 to 2015. Computers & Education http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.09.006
Twining, P., Heller, R.S., Nussbaum, M. & Tsai, C.C. (2017) Some guidance on conducting and reporting qualitative studies. Computers & Education, V.106, March 2017, pp.A1-A9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.12.002
Twining, P.; Browne, N.; Murphy, P.; Hempel-Jorgensen, A.; Harrison, S. and Parmar, N. (2017). NP3 – New Purposes, New Practices, New Pedagogy: Meta-analysis report. Society for Educational Studies, London. http://oro.open.ac.uk/view/person/nb8738.html
Maher, D. & Twining, P. (2016)Bring Your Own Device – a snapshot of two Australian primary schools. Educational Research, 59:1, pp.73-88 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00131881.2016.1239509
Twining, P. (2015) ICT-enhanced learning and e-school design recommendation report. Paris: UNESCO.
Twining, P; Davis, N. & Charania, A. with Chowfin, A; Henry, F; Nordin, H. & Woodward, C. (2015) Developing New Indicators to Describe Digital Technology Infrastructure in Primary and Secondary Education. Montreal: UNESCO Institute of Statistics. (Contribution 70%) http://is.gd/jnUSwI
Clark, T., Twining, P. & Chambers, D. (2014) Redefining education: 1 to 1 computing strategies in Victorian schools. In Sweeney, T. & Urban, S. (Eds) Now IT's Personal: Proceedings of the Australian Computers in Education Conference 2014, pp.87-97. ACEC: Adelaide, Australia.
Fluck, A. & Twining, P. (2014) Redefining education: 1 to 1 computing strategies in Tasmanian schools. In Sweeney, T. & Urban, S. (Eds) Now IT's Personal: Proceedings of the Australian Computers in Education Conference 2014, pp.166-174. ACEC: Adelaide, Australia.
Jamieson-Proctor, R., Redmond, P., Zagami, J., Albion, P. & Twining, P. (2014) Redefining education for the digital age: a snapshot of the state of play in three Queensland schools. In Sweeney, T. & Urban, S. (Eds) Now IT's Personal: Proceedings of the Australian Computers in Education Conference, pp.294-301. Adelaide (Australia): ACEC.
Newhouse, P., Lane, J., Cooper, M. & Twining, P. (2014) Redefining education: sustaining 1 to 1 computing strategies in Western Australian schools. In Sweeney, T. & Urban, S. (Eds) Now IT's Personal: Proceedings of the Australian Computers in Education Conference, pp.345-351. Adelaide (Australia): ACEC.
Twining, P. (2014) Redefining education: 1 to 1 computing strategies in English schools. In Sweeney, T. & Urban, S. (Eds) Now IT's Personal: Proceedings of the Australian Computers in Education Conference 2014, pp.428-437. ACEC: Adelaide, Australia.
Twining, P. (2014). Unpacking ICT. In: Cremin, T. & Arthur, J. (Eds.) The handbook of teaching in the primary school. 3rd Edition. London: Routledge, pp. 514-526.
Twining, P. & Henry, F. (2014) Enhancing ‘ICT teaching’ in English schools: Vital lessons. World Journal of Education, Vol.4, No.2, pp.12-36. ISSN 1925-0746(Print), ISSN 1925-0754(Online). doi:10.5430/wje.v4n2p12 http://www.sciedu.ca/journal/index.php/wje/article/view/4092
Twining, P; Raffaghelli, J; Albion, P. & Knezek, D. (2013) Moving Education into the Digital Age: The contribution of Teachers’ Professional Development. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, Vol.29, No.5, pp.426-437. ISSN: 1365-2729 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcal.12031/abstract
Bradshaw, P; Twining, P. & Walsh, C. (2012) The Vital Programme: Transforming ICT Professional Development. American Journal of Distance Education, Vol.26, No.2, pp.74-85. DOI: 10.1080/08923647.2012.655553 ISSN: 0892-3647 (Print), 1538-9286 (Online)
Twining, P. (2010) Educational Information Technology Research Methodology: looking back and moving forward. In McDougall, A; Murnane, J; Jones, A. & Reynolds, N. (Eds.) Researching IT in Education: Theory, Practice and Future Directions. pp. 151-168. London: Routledge. ISBN: 978-0-415-56001-6 https://oro.open.ac.uk/16953/
Twining, P. (2010) When Educational Worlds Collide. In Sheehy; Ferguson & Clough (Eds.) Virtual Worlds: Controversies at the Frontier of Education (Education in a competitive and globalizing world). pp.125-142. New York: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN: 978-1608762613 http://is.gd/54Cm75
Twining, P. & Footring, S. (2010) The Schome Park Programme – exploring educational alternatives, in Peachey, A; Gillen, J; Livingstone, D. & Smith-Robbins, S. (Eds.) Researching Learning in Virtual Worlds. pp.369-380. Milton Keynes, Guildford: Springer. ISBN: 978-1-84996-046-5
Twining, P. (2009) Exploring the educational potential of virtual worlds – some reflections from the Schome Park Programme. British Journal of Educational Technology, Vol.40, No.3, pp.496–514. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2009.00963.x ISSN: 1467-8535 (online) http://is.gd/c5FiJt
Twining, P. & Peachey, A. (2009) Open Virtual Worlds as Pedagogical Research Tools: Learning from the Schome Park Programme. In Tatnall, A. & Jones, A. (Eds.) Education and Technology for a Better World. pp.263-272. New York: Springer. ISBN: 978-3-642-03114-4 (Contribution 80%) http://is.gd/MjetuP
Craft, A., Chappell, K. & Twining, P. (2008), Learners reconceptualising education: widening participation through creative engagement? Innovations in Education & Teaching International, Vol.45, No.3, pp.235-245. ISSN: 1470-3297 (print) ISSN: 1470-3300 (online
Twining, P. (2008) Framing IT use to enhance educational impact on a school-wide basis. In Voogt, J & Knezek, G. (Eds.) International Handbook of Information Technology in Primary and Secondary Education. pp.555-579. New York, Springer. ISBN: 978-0-387-73314-2 (August 2008) http://is.gd/CVIpdL
Rix, J. & Twining, P. (2007) Exploring education systems: Towards a typology for future learning? Educational Research, Vol.49, No.4, pp.329-341. ISSN: 1469-5847 http://oro.open.ac.uk/9942/
Twining, P. (2007) Discussing ICT, Aspirations and Targets for Education: International perspectives. International Journal of Knowledge and Learning (IJKL), Vol.3, No.2/3, pp.154-170. DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2007.015549 ISSN: 1741-1009 (print) ISSN: 1741-1017 (online)
Selwood, I. & Twining, P. (2005). Action research and ICT. Becta. http://is.gd/MgwPpq
Twining, P. (2004) 'The Computer Practice Framework: a tool to enhance curriculum development relating to ICT’ in Monteith, M. (Ed.) ICT for Curriculum Enhancement. pp.41-56. Exeter: Intellect. ISBN: 1841500615
Twining, P. (2002) Conceptualising computer use in education: introducing the Computer Practice Framework. British Educational Research Journal, Vol.28, No.1, pp.95-110. ISSN: 0141-1926
Paechter, C.; Edwards, R.; Harrison, R. & Twining, P. (Eds.) (2001) Learning, Space and Identity: Challenges of the Information Age. London: Paul Chapman Publishing Ltd. ISBN: 0-7619-6939-X
Twining, P. (2001) Planning to use ICT in schools? Education 3-13, Vol.29, No.1, March 2001, pp.9-17. ISSN: 0300-4279