What do you like about your role?

Building a groundbreaking EdTech business is incredibly rewarding and in no way routine. Not only do I get to lead a team of dedicated professionals, travel the world, create value and disrupt an industry. But also develop a business that delivers a social good, something that should matter to everyone - not just entrepreneurs.

Share three predictions on the future of Edtech.

1. Digital books and learning materials will overtake (but not destroy) physical materials in school. As pupils of all ages want to experience digital in their learning, having access to learning materials online that save educators time, engage learners and boost attainment will lead to more multi-modal experiences in school.
2. Security’s on the up! With cloud based products in ever greater use and schools becoming increasingly digested environments, security discussions are taking place at all levels of the education system. Schools are being asked to give this greater consideration around social media, cyber bullying and of course a pupil’s digital footprint are will continue to permeate our classroom’s globally.
3. Online Assessment - As personalised learning improves and machine learning works its way into our classrooms, digital exams are a foregone conclusion. In Wales this is already happening with the introduction of the National Reading Test going online in 2018. Governments will have to support this change with infrastructure and training investment.

What technologies do you believe have the potential to transform the education industry?

Virtual Reality and AI have the capacity to transform the education industry. The opportunities here for our business going forward are countless and the excitement palpable. However, it remains to be seen at what pace the institutions themselves will embrace these technologies both operationally and financially.

As we are celebrating out 5th anniversary of EdTechXEurope, we are looking at the key trends over the past 5 years in edtech. What would you say have been the key areas of change that are impacting edtech today? Anything unexpected that surprised you? Trends that were overhyped and never met their expected potential?

The importance of Digital Citizenship is something we feel that has been particularly prevalent over the last few years. The need to understand what it means to contribute meaningfully and safely in an online environment.

Personalised learning has continued to be a an exciting are but how this has been applied has not been lead by VR and AI as perhaps predicted.

Why is it important for all players in the edtech ecosystem to continuously connect, network and learn from each other?

The education market has to be one of the most fragmented systems in the UK and in fact the world. Understanding how other businesses in the EdTech ecosystem have become successful, is important to build a stronger economic base and to create better products. In turn, facilitating improved academic and vocational results in our schools.

Nobody wants to re-invent the wheel and whilst we are often competing with each other in an increasingly busy sector their are huge learning and collaborative opportunities for us all. Indeed, partnerships are key to the success of any EdTech business. It has worked for Giglets so far!

When you think about joining EdTechXEurope this year, what are you looking forward to? What makes you excited about our event in London?

We are excited to share a platform with some of the greatest EdTech businesses, educators, investors and of course entrepreneurs. We hope that the event proves to be a nucleus of activity and one that will open up global opportunities that meet our international ambitions.

Join Jaeques and our 100+ thought leader speakers at EdTechXEurope 2017 on 20 - 21st June 2017 - reserve your place now >> 

Explore the agenda and see all of our confirmed 2017 EdTechXEurope speakers - go to agenda >>