2019 EdTech Insights Hub Header - Individual Page Header ET Insights 19 - Murray Morrison

Tassomai |UK | www.tassomai.com

How does your current role allow you to make a difference to the education and learning space?

I feel that I bring something of an outsider perspective to education and learning. My first loves were music and sport, and my pursuit of these disciplines helped me develop my approach to teaching and learning: that students should practise what they are studying in the same way an athlete would train, or a musician rehearse.
This fortunate accident where I spent around fifteen years juggling teaching, sports training and performing as a musician (basically never growing up) has given me a different perspective on how to approach raising attainment in education and led me to found Tassomai. These principles of practice to mastery are fundamental to our software.
Developing our EdTech start-up in London with a national network of extremely engaged schools has helped us develop quickly and the stories and positive results from students up and down the UK have been really exciting to see.

What are the key trends you believe have the power to transform the way we learn?

What excites me is the idea that mobile technology and computing can now create a truly personalised learning experience for each learner, whoever they might be. This can be more impactful than anything that has gone before and can build in them a healthy, sustainable habit of learning. EdTech is making it possible to level the playing field and that can mean that we access an untapped talent pool that was waiting to be unlocked.
The other aspect that goes hand in hand with this is that adaptive, personalised learning tech can change the role of the teacher back to… well, being a teacher. So much of the job of a teacher is in admin - preparing to teach, or evidencing their teaching - that they get a scandalously short amount of time to actually deliver content or connect with their students in any meaningful, sustaining and supportive way. Tech can give teachers their time back.

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

Through events that bring the EdTech community together come so many opportunities to learn from one another, to inspire each other and to push each other to new heights. My background in sport taught me that it’s only through a little competition that not only does everyone develop and improve, but also lasting friendships are founded.

What should the rest of the world learn about EdTech innovation in your country?

Maybe it’s the same everywhere, but it feels as though Britain has been a really rich seam for EdTech innovation in recent years. In part, I think that London as a global hub for business growth, entrepreneurship and culture has had a part to play, but more than that, the teaching profession (which is in something of a crisis) has created a need for new solutions and an appetite to seek them out and support their development.

When you think about joining London EdTech Week and EdTechXEurope Summit this year, what are you looking forward to?

Last year’s summit was really inspiring, and frankly it was the discussions and presentations from people and organisations I hadn’t previously heard of that made the biggest impression… so I’m looking forward to finding loads of new inspiration and meeting new people.

Who would you like to meet at the event?

Anyone who shares my passion for levelling the playing field with good EdTech, who wants to share ideas and chat - I’d love to meet. Also Dan Bindman - that guy is amazing.

Join Murray and our 150+ thought leader speakers at EdTechXEurope 2019 on 18 June 2019 - reserve your place now >>