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Al Kingsley MBE
Group CEO at NetSupport
Peterborough, United Kingdom
A man of two (or more) hats, 30 years in the #EdTech sector alongside 25 working in education. I’m a Multi Academy Trust chair, SEND board chair, DfE advisory board member for the East of England, education author and speaker.
I am the Group CEO of NetSupport, a global provider of evidence-informed solutions for education and corporate settings. With over 30 years of development, NetSupport has secured over 300 industry awards and has a broad portfolio of products, including IT Asset Management, Remote Control, Classroom Management, Notification, eSafety, Servicedesk, and assessment software. I am chair of the Cambrideshire & Peterborough Combined Authority business board, and on the board of the Oxford Cambridge Partnership, supporting economic and regional growth.
I am also hugely passionate about education on a wider scale, at all stages of life, and actively support others across the education and technology sectors wherever I can. I am an active EdTech advisor, mentor, author, and speaker, with multiple publications and recognitions, including the 2023 Edufuturist of the Year, the 2023 BESA "Inspirational Leader" Winner, ERA Outstanding Achievement Winner 2023 and the Forbes Technology Council Member. I also serve as the Chair of Hampton Academies Trust, a community-focused Multi-Academy Trust, the DfE Advisory board for the East of England and the Chair of BESA EdTech Special Interest Group. My mission is to help give a voice to others and to support and embrace innovation, economic growth and skills. In the spirit of supporting others, I am also a 2024/25 UK Department for Business and Trade Export Champion.
Awarded the honour of "Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)" by His Majesty the King in his 2025 New Year's Honour's list for services to education.
Available For: Authoring, Consulting, Influencing, Speaking Travels From: UK
Speaking Topics: EdTech, Education, Digital Strategy
Al Kingsley MBE
Points
Academic
17
Author
687
Influencer
516
Speaker
134
Entrepreneur
341
Total
1695
Points based upon Thinkers360 patent-pending algorithm.
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood
December 31, 2024
Awarded the honour of "Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)" by His Majesty the King in his 2025 New Year's Honour's list for services to education
A Review of My Secret #EdTech Diary: Looking at Educational Technology Through a Wider Lens
University of Arizona
July 15, 2024
Botkin, M. D., (2024) “A Review of My Secret #EdTech Diary: Looking at Educational Technology Through a Wider Lens, A Book by Al Kingsley”, Issues and Trends in Learning Technologies 12(1), 102–105.
Education data reality: A continued conversation
LSE Research Online
July 03, 2023
The Digital Futures Commission launched its report entitled Education Data Reality in its breakfast briefing on the 29th June 2022. The launch featured an introduction to the Education Data work stream of the Digital Future Commission by Sonia Livingstone, a presentation of the key findings by Sarah Turner, the lead author and a response from Al Kingsley, CEO of NetSupport and Chair of two Multi-Academy Trusts. The event concluded with a vibrant Q&A session, leaving many interesting questions for further discussion.
A whole child approach to online safety.
Education Journal, Issue 530, Page 7
July 01, 2023
The article informs that Online Safety Bill's return to the House of Lords emphasizes the need to go beyond shielding children online. Digital citizenship skills should be embedded in the curriculum to prepare children to interact safely and respectfully online. Integrating technology in all subjects improves technical and soft skills while fostering problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. Teaching media literacy enables children to critically analyze online content.
Why Digital Poverty has become key in the human rights fight.
Education Journal, Issue 409, Page 22
July 01, 2022
The article focuses on limited social participation due to exclusion from internet access, and mentions process of digitization accelerated by schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics discussed include need of computer and internet capabilities at home by homework in United Kingdom (UK), improved levels of digital literacy required by classrooms to compete, and failure of children to participate in school due to digital poverty.
AI in Education - Enhancing the Role of Teachers, Not Replacing Them
Import from wordpress feed
April 01, 2025
The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has been a topic of growing interest and debate. With the emergence of tools like ChatGPT, Gemini & Claude alongside many embedded solutions, educators are exploring new ways to integrate AI into
Privacy and data protection are driving edtech adoption trends - eSchool News Guides
Import from wordpress feed
March 31, 2025
Key points: When considering industries such as finance or healthcare, the potential for sensitive data to fall into the wrong hands is a common concern. These sectors are prime targets for cybercriminals due to the financial and personal
See why our customers love the support NetSupport offers!
Al Kingsley
February 27, 2025
With budget cuts and staff retention issues, schools and businesses must have the right IT solutions to support their growing needs and empower staff. That’s where effective, reliable, and easy-to-use tools, like NetSupport, can help.
NetSupport is a finalist in the 2025 Lincolnshire Business Awards
Al Kingsley
February 26, 2025
Honouring companies of all sizes for the great work they do, the Lincolnshire Business Awards celebrate the achievements of businesses that have made significant contributions to the local economy. NetSupport’s nomination highlights its role as a key player in the region’s export sector.
Should technology be at the centre of wellbeing?
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February 13, 2025
Over recent years, we have seen rocketing numbers of students struggling with mental health issues, with many contributing factors, not least the pandemic.
Balancing Freedom and Control with Classroom Technology - Education IT Reporter
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February 06, 2025
By Al Kingsley, CEO, NetSupport. Teachers know that giving students more freedom — by enabling greater choice and agency — unlocks engagement and better outcomes. Decades of research backs this idea up. Still, there’s value to structure in a
Bett 2025 is coming to a close – see what NetSupport got up to!
Al Kingsley
January 24, 2025
It’s the final day of Bett 2025, and this year’s event is quickly coming to an end! Time flies when you’re having fun, and NetSupport had a blast showcasing its innovative education solutions.
As a global hub for education professionals, it was the perfect opportunity for NetSupport to connect with educators, showcase its latest solutions and explore the future of EdTech.
NetSupport - Bett 2025 está llegando a su fin: ¡vea lo que NetSupport hizo!
Import from wordpress feed
January 24, 2025
¡Es el último día de Bett 2025! El tiempo vuela cuando te diviertes, así que aprovecha al máximo el último día. ¡Mira lo que hizo el equipo de NetSupport!
NetSupport - Bett 2025 touche à sa fin - découvrez ce que NetSupport a fait !
Import from wordpress feed
January 24, 2025
C'est le dernier jour du Bett 2025 ! Le temps passe vite quand on s'amuse, alors profitez au maximum du dernier jour. Découvrez ce que l'équipe NetSupport a fait !
Explore strategies to boost hybrid workplace productivity by focusing on communication
Al Kingsley
January 10, 2025
As hybrid work models gain traction, IT teams must adapt to provide seamless support, regardless of employee location. To navigate the evolving landscape, IT teams are transforming their approaches to communication.
3 things you didn't know your classroom management software could do
Al Kingsley
December 10, 2024
It’s almost a truism among educators to say that classroom management is all about relationship management. Learning requires a great deal of vulnerability, and there’s no doubt that educators need to earn the trust and respect of their students.
NetSupport - Artigo da Forbes destaca Al Kingsley como o inovador em EdTech que constrói comunidades para a mudança!
Import from wordpress feed
December 10, 2024
Dan Fitzpatrick destaca o impacto de Al Kingsley na indústria de EdTech na Forbes. Saiba como Al contribuiu para moldar o futuro da EdTech!
NetSupport - Forbes article highlights Al Kingsley as the EdTech innovator building communities for change!
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December 10, 2024
Dan Fitzpatrick highlights Al Kingsley's impact on the EdTech industry in Forbes. Learn how Al has contributed to shaping the future of EdTech!
New Book - The Awkward Questions in Education
Al Kingsley
November 10, 2024
In today’s ever-evolving educational landscape, schools and systems face unprecedented challenges; from the advent of artificial intelligence, hybrid learning to a future ready curriculum, the need for skills through to the critical issues of teacher retention and student wellbeing.
New Book - "The Awkward Questions in Education"
Import from wordpress feed
November 09, 2024
In today’s ever-evolving educational landscape, schools and systems face unprecedented challenges; from the advent of artificial intelligence, hybrid learning to a future ready curriculum, the need for skills through to the critical issues of
Council Post: Mapping Out Your IT Professional Development Journey
Import from wordpress feed
November 04, 2024
Showing evidence of these skills alongside your IT specialty will certainly put you a step above the rest in terms of progression. I recommend you consider these areas:
What Students Should Know About Digital Citizenship
Al Kingsley
October 22, 2024
A recent opinion piece in Education Week sums up the issues surrounding cell phones in schools quite well. Tom Moore, a high school IB teacher in New York City, wrote that the recent push to ban cell phones is really an attempt to find a simple answer to a much larger, more important issue: student mental health. Mr. Moore correctly points out that at its heart, the cell phone debate is really about our desire to protect students and give them a safe learning place where they feel listened to and validated.
Resources to Help Teachers Equip Students for Changing Future
Import from wordpress feed
September 26, 2024
This article offers resources to help teachers equip students for changing future and help them plan for future careers in an uncertain job market. It advocates exposing students to career options early, fostering self-awareness and adaptability,
Innovations in EdTech and How to Implement AI in Education
Import from wordpress feed
September 04, 2024
Catch up with our latest webinar where we explore the latest advancements in educational technology and practical strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into learning environments. Listen to our expert speakers to discover how AI can…
Council Post: Mapping Out Your IT Professional Development Journey
Al Kingsley
November 05, 2024
Technology is constantly moving and evolving—opening up more and more opportunities and possibilities throughout all sectors of society. Think of the differences in technology between five years ago and today. Nothing stands still; there's always something new happening in the wider landscape.
July #Edu resources - part 2
Linkedin
July 13, 2024
Happy Saturday folks, and welcome to the 2nd edition of July. It's a slightly more condensed version as I have been extra busy this week.
So, here are a few quick highlights from this week. In no particualr order I attended an excellent event with HFL Education where I was asked to come and talk about shaping a Digital Vision and how to move the conversation forward, alongside new topics like #Ai, #Data and #Equity. I also had the pleasure of listening to a really thought-provoking presentation from Ms. #PedTech Dr Fiona Aubrey-Smith.
It was also lovely to catch up with Chris Goodall who was sharing some #Ai top tips for the audience. Great event all round, and a big thanks to Richard Martin, Catherine Tallis and the HFL team for the invitation.
July #Edu resources - part 1
Linkedin
July 06, 2024
Happy Saturday folks, and welcome to the 1st edition of July. Home straight for the holidays - Woo-hoo!. I'm not exactly sure why I am celebrating; I haven't taken a holiday away since 2018, but clearly, I am just having way too much fun ;)
June #Edu resources - part 5
LinkedIn
June 29, 2024
Howdy Partners - welcome to the 5th edition of June, hot off the press, having just arrived back from a few days in Denver at this year's ISTE conference. #ISTElive. Now I did share last week that with most of my time either up in the air or having a blast at Denver, this week's issue was going to be more of an ISTE highlights episode, as my news reading has been very limited
June #Edu resources - part 4
Linkedln
June 22, 2024
As I am writing this, I have a suitcase I need to pack and will be hitting the airport for a trip over to Denver for the always brilliant ISTE conference, I have three days (awake) there and then whizz back to the UK on Wednesday night. If you are reading this and plan to be at the conference too, please do reach out, always keen to meet new #Edu buddies on my travels.
June #Edu resources - part 3
LinkedIn
June 15, 2024
Happy Saturday, folks, and welcome to my third edition of June! And wow, this has been a super busy week with a lot of miles driven to boot. I haven't had that much time for the news while doing lots of driving, so apologies if I missed anything important. Courtesy of a very enthusiastic Ferdi waking up this morning, it's 2.45am as I start pulling all this news together.
June #Edu resources - part 2
LinkedIn
June 08, 2024
Happy Saturday, folks, and welcome to the second edition of June! Wow, nearly halfway through the year already. An even bigger surprise was that i started doing this newsletter at the start of July last year, so there are only a few weeks to go until it's been a year of weekly sharing. That's been a lot of brain food to consume and an absolute pleasure to share and learn from so many amazing folks....and, of course, to introduce you to my wellbeing assistant, Ferdi.
June #Edu resources - part 1
LinkedIn
June 01, 2024
I usually like to share a brief summary of my week, so as usual, here is a quick highlight from the last few days alongside my NetSupport activities, and in truth it has been a bit quieter this week (yay).
I have had lots of comments recently, and all lovely people being supportive and appreciative of my newsletter, but a few have asked about my content format. I only had a couple of objectives originally with the newsletter, share good content and signpost great people. I definitely wouldn't have chosen to host it on Linkedin if I wanted to maximise access and subscribers, but I wanted to be able to link to the people who shared articles directly so they could be found by others, and that feels more important to me than anything else.
Apr #Edu resources - part 4
Linkedln
April 27, 2024
I always like to share a brief insight into my week alongside my usual NetSupport fun, so over the last few days it's actually been a real mix with my monthly Department for Education regional advisory board meeting; it was lovely to see Adrian Rogers join the board as well.
Apr #Edu resources - part 3
LinkedIn
April 20, 2024
Happy Saturday, folks, and welcome to the third edition for April. Everyone is back into the Summer Term routine and has already set the countdown clocks for half term. As always, a big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contribute to and share my weekly news consolidation.
Apr #Edu resources - part 2
Linkedln
April 13, 2024
Happy Saturday, folks, and welcome to my second edition for April. I hope you approve of Ferdi's Ai section headers I introduced a couple of editions ago, they are not very "educationy" in style, but you know what you get with me :) I do think sometimes we all need to take a chill pill and remember we don't have to prove ourselves to anyone. I've always pushed back on the articles that seemed aimed to primarily demonstrate someone's prowess with the English language and their vocabulary gymnastics, I'm much more in favour of keeping it simple and accessible....and fun ;) You may have noticed!
Apr #Edu resources - part 1
LinkedIn
April 06, 2024
Happy Saturday, folks, and welcome to my first edition for April. You may well have noticed, especially if you read my last edition, that I took the weekend off last week from my curating endeavours, so I have a fair bit to try and squeeze into this edition. I'm also really mindful of the #EchoChamber that always exists on social media, so I have taken some time to broaden my reading list to make sure the content I share each week reflects as broad a set of views as possible, especially around the tricky topic of #Ai in education. I hope you will continue to message me with articles and people I should be connecting with to continue to grow my content.
March #Edu resources- part 4
Linkedln
March 24, 2024
This week I had the pleasure of catching up with Dave Smith , Chris Jones NPQH FRSA FCCT and Russell Prue up in Leeds at Trinity Multi-Academy Trust , we sadly didn't have quite the event we planned but, it was a lovely catchup nonetheless.
Feb #Edu resources - part 4
Linkedln
February 24, 2024
Happy Saturday folks. Last week's newsletter was a bumper addition, this week my time to review the news feeds has been a little more limited, so consider this a very "focused" edition. This week I attended the British Council "#EdTech and English Language Teaching" networking event on Tuesday afternoon, albeit I was wearing both my British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) EdTech Chair hat for most of it, but had my #EdTech and #Ai and #Academy hats for other parts.
Tags: Digital Transformation, EdTech, Emerging Technology
Feb #Edu resources - part 2️
LinkedIn
February 10, 2024
Well, we have a few more days until #Valentines, but this will have to be my issue to share the love in the broader sense across our community. It's been a super busy week including planning presentations for the upcoming LEAP and British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) LearnED conferences.
Tags: Digital Transformation, EdTech, Emerging Technology
Feb #Edu resources - part 1
Linkedln
February 03, 2024
Yup, we are already into month two of the year, and after all the fun and games in January, I really can't believe we are here so quickly. I hope everyone has recovered from recent #Edu events and is fully invigorated from all the ideas gathered. For those holding the fort and unable to attend, hopefully, I've a few ideas and insights for you in this week's newsletter.
Tags: Digital Transformation, EdTech, Emerging Technology
Jan #Edu resources - part 3
Linkedln
January 13, 2024
Wowzers, it's nearly halfway through January already. Hopefully, everyone has had a successful return to school, and the new spring term is well underway. One thing I have definitely learnt over time is that every year the holidays feel shorter and shorter. Fortunately, the bits in between those breaks seem to fly too...so perhaps that's just me getting old.
Jan #Edu resources - part 2
Linkedln
January 06, 2024
Happy Saturday lovely people, and of course, I hope you have all had a fab week. Mine has definitely been a back to work with a "bump" week, a really busy schedule with most of it planning and prep for upcoming events. It's been nice to have a fairly quiet school inbox other than a few new staff starter's risk assessments to sign off.
Dec #Edu resources - part 4
LinkedIn
December 21, 2023
Happy Holidays everyone. As I shared in my last couple of updates, I am "trying" to ease back for the Holiday period on the news, so this is most definitely just a brief pre-holiday edition...and a few days early too. I hope everyone is looking forward to a few quiet days to catch up with friends and family
Nov #Edu resources - part 3
LinkedIn
November 18, 2023
Welcome as always folks. I hope this week's newsletter finds you keeping smiling and well! So after last week's bumper edition, I was very conscious that it was going to be tough to match it this week, and in truth, it has been (in relative terms) a slightly more regular week of news across my channels.
Nov #Edu resources - part 1
LinkedIn
November 04, 2023
Wowzers what a week I have had across in Dubai at the brilliant GESS Dubai conference. It's always a task trying to encapsulate an event into something concise, and this year is harder than ever with so many amazing speakers, panel discussions, friends and colleagues from across the region that I had the pleasure to catch up with; the list goes on. Suffice it to say, wherever you are in the world, education is continuing to thrive; innovation is happening and people are sharing and learning... despite all the challenges.
Oct #Edu resources - part 4
LinkedIn
October 21, 2023
Hi folks and another Happy Saturday. It's been another super busy week, but fortunately no airports to navigate. Next week mind you, is another story! I'll be heading across to GESS Dubai for one of my favourite events on the calendar. The good news is I will have lots to share on my return, the bad is I won't be able to do a newsletter next weekend.
Oct #Edu resources - part 3
LinkedIn
October 14, 2023
Happy Saturday folks, almost halfway through October already but don't worry it's at least another week before I start introducing Pumpkins and Spooky images to the newsletter ( you have been warned ).
Founding Board Member - Leading Your International School
Leading Your International School
August 13, 2024
Welcome to Leading Your International School Al Kingsley
is an International School Leadership Consultancy who's Mission is to 'Level Up International School Leadership.' We are passionate about helping International School Leaders, Human Resource Professionals and People Leaders reach their full potential.
the Oxford to Cambridge Partnership Board
Oxford to Cambridge Partnership
March 01, 2024
A group of leaders from local government, business boards, the Arc Universities Group and England’s Economic Heartland, with government, come together as a pan-regional partnership for the Oxford to Cambridge region.
Our Mission is to secure a future in which our communities prosper from the very best in environmentally sustainable ways of living and working. We collaborate to accelerate economic opportunities created through the region's innovation strengths to achieve significant environmental enhancements and to unlock investment for inclusive, high quality sustainable development.
LinCam Ceres Agri-Tech Governing Board
University of Lincoln
January 01, 2024
Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech is a partnership between the Universities of Lincoln and Cambridge. It is funded by a grant from the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA).
Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech’s aim is to catalyse and scale a world leading agri-tech cluster in Greater Lincolnshire and north Cambridgeshire (Lincam); an area responsible for 15% of UK agricultural output, with large concentrations of arable and fresh produce farming
Tags: Business Strategy, Innovation, Sustainability
Chair - Joint SEND Executive Board
Peterborough City Council
August 07, 2023
Provide strategic direction to enable the delivery of the Board’s key priorities to continue to improve the lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities across Cambridgeshire
Cambrigeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Board Member
CPCA
August 01, 2023
The Combined Authority Board is chaired by the elected Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The purpose of the Board is to ensure that the decisions and actions of the Combined Authority deliver key outcomes for the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
British Education Suppliers Association
BESA
November 15, 2021
BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, is the trade association for the UK education suppliers sector. We operate on a not-for-profit basis and are accountable to an Executive Council elected by member companies.
The Awkward Questions in Education: The Elephants in the Room from AI to Teacher Retention
Routledge - Taylor & Francis Group
January 06, 2025
Schools and systems face unprecedented challenges such as falling attendance, recruitment and retention issues, the validity of external monitoring of schools and the advent of artificial intelligence. In The Awkward Questions in Education, Al Kingsley, tackles the tough, often avoided, issues plaguing the sector today.
My School & Multi Academy Trust Growth Guide
John Catt Educational
July 07, 2023
With nearly two decades of school governance experience across Infant, Primary, Secondary, All Through and Alternative Provision schools and academies, distilled into an easy-to-read format, Al Kingsley's My School & Multi Academy Trust Growth Guide aims to support the discussions and key considerations for any Trust or school looking at their next steps for growth.
This consolidated guide will take you step by step through the key considerations as part of your growth journey, the opportunities and pathways available, balancing risk vs. reward, capacity considerations, due diligence and more. It is aimed as a catalyst to support discussions with board members and senior leadership and provide key checklists to support your decision-making process.
With an ever-changing educational landscape and a clear trajectory for growth and scale within our MATs, this guide is an ideal companion and "litmus test" for Leaders, Trustees and Governors involved in their school or Trusts strategic planning.
My School Governance Handbook
John Catt Educational
October 12, 2022
With nearly two decades of school governance experience across Infant, Primary, Secondary, All Through and Alternative Provision schools and academies, distilled into an easy-to-read format, My School Governance Handbook aims to make the complex world of school governance simple and accessible to all. This handbook will take you step by step through the basics of school governance, what the role entails and what you need to know. It explains how schools and multi academy trusts are structured, the key areas of school life you need to understand, relevant questions to ask and finally, includes a handy dictionary to help you navigate your way through all those pesky education acronyms. Including ideas and guidance from other experienced governors across the UK, 'My School Governance Handbook' is the perfect companion for any school governor or trustee.
My Secret #Edtech Diary
John Catt Education
July 05, 2021
With 30+ years’ experience developing and using EdTech products, distilled down into an easy-to-read format, My Secret #EdTech Diary aims to get you thinking about the past, present and future role of educational technology and how it influences and shapes our education system. My Secret #EdTech Diary reflects on the history of EdTech, lessons learned pre and post-Covid, best practice suggestions, how to select the right solutions and the questions you need to consider before pursuing your digital ambitions. With unique insights from an Educators’ and Vendors’ perspective, advice for budding EduPreneurs, guidance for schools considering how to co-produce technology solutions with vendors and how to make the right choices, Al aims to shine a light on Educational Technology through the widest possible lens. With links to research, insights from trusted peers, quick ready-reckoner checklists, questions you need to be asking, alongside voices aligned from the sector, this book aims to get you up to speed and thinking big picture EdTech. In an effort to make EdTech accessible for all the book is written to give even those considering themselves a technology novice, an easy and accessible overview of EdTech, unpicking what some of the trending terms mean, what questions to ask and to help them join the debate both confident and engaging from a position of knowledge.
School Digital Strategy Guide
NetSupport
October 12, 2022
With more technology in schools than ever before, it makes sense to have a digital strategy in place that embraces how your edtech can be used effectively – not only for teaching and learning, but to improve efficiency, save time and money, and more.
Part of this process is understanding:
What EdTech the school has
How it’s used
How to use it more effectively.
In this latest version, we look at solutions for flexible teaching and learning, as well as using video communication tools – and provide guidelines for children, parents, teachers and schools on how to get the best out of them.
In addition, the guide now includes voices from schools across the world who have implemented and embedded their own digital strategies, alongside others demonstrating best practice for online safety and data management.
With an updated resources page, feedback from readers and a revised list of top educators and experts to follow on Twitter, version 3 of the guide is set to be a must-read!
ISC Research "Edruptor" 2024 - International Education Influencer
ISC Research
January 14, 2025
This white paper by ISC Research showcases the top 20 influencers of the past year—those who have used their social media platforms to drive progress, build communities, and advocate for change. Known as the ‘Edruptors of 2024’, these individuals exemplify the dynamic and multifaceted nature of contemporary educational leadership
Top 25 Education Technology Influencers
FeedSpot
June 28, 2024
Looking for Education Technology influencers for your outreach campaign or for collaboration to promote your brand or product? Our Education Technology Influencers list is what you need. When ranking these Education Technology influencers, we’ve considered not just their following, but also engagement, as well as overall influence in the Education Technology space.
Top 100 Education Influencers
District Administration Magazine
June 03, 2024
ntroducing District Administration’s first annual comprehensive list—in no particular order—of some of the country’s most influential, impactful leaders and innovators in K12 education. Collectively but in varying capacities they’re helping shape the future of students across the country— and around the world—by turning their passions into actions:
Al Kingsley is an edtech guru, speaker and the group CEO of NetSupport Limited, a global provider of evidence-informed solutions for education and business. He is an active edtech advisor, mentor, author and was named the 2023 Edufuturist of the Year.
Top 100 Influencers in EdTech
EdTech Digest
March 04, 2022
By their example, by their actions, by what they write, communicate and the products they create—they are more than a social media follower count, they are interacting with those around them, making the world a better place through their work in education technology, and this year, they are all edtech’s top influencers.
Top International "Edrupters" 2022
ISC Research
March 01, 2022
Edruptors 2021: the top international education influencers of the past year.
Who are the opinion shapers within international education today? ISC Research has explored this question for the first time, identifying the key education influencers followed on social media platforms by people around the world.
ISC Global Edruptors 2021
ISC Research
January 31, 2022
ISC Research has identified the top social media influencers within international education in a new white paper.
The organisation has named the individuals ‘edruptors’ due to the impact they can have to affect change for educators. The top 75 edruptors of 2021, along with the top ‘edrupting’ organisations, are all ranked in the report.
EdTech 50 Award winner
Education Technology Magazine
March 03, 2020
In a world that’s increasingly defined by all things digital, it’s no surprise that the education sector is rife with emerging tech solutions and innovations.
Launched at the end of February, the annual Edtech 50 list highlights the people, products and projects that are invigorating teaching and learning in schools across the UK.
AImpactED: Generative AI Revolutionising Education
AImpactEd
August 01, 2024
Al Kingsley, CEO of NetSupport, will deliver a keynote address around 10:15 am. A champion for educational technology, Al will explore how educators can leverage current software solutions to optimise learning today, while also offering insights into how AI might further revolutionise education in the future.
Keynote presentation in association with Hodder Education: Opportunities for growth for schools and MATs
In today’s educational landscape, schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) are increasingly focused on enhancing their operations and strategically planning for future growth. They are keen to identify opportunities for scaling their resources to improve efficiency, drive better outcomes, and ensure staff retention. The dynamic nature of the digital environment underscores the importance of establishing a robust digital strategy and a flexible digital infrastructure that can seamlessly accommodate your growth aspirations.
Given this context, Al Kingsley, Chair of Trustees at Hampton Academies Trust and Author; ‘My School and Multi-Academy Trust Growth Guide’. will discuss growth strategies, the role of emerging technologies like AI and the Metaverse, while providing useful checklists for evaluating and substantiating the effectiveness of #EdTech solutions within your educational institutions.
Looking forwards: opportunities for Multi-Academy Trust growth
MATPN
November 06, 2023
Building on economies of scale, supporting school improvement, adding capacity, and supporting staff recruitment and retention, Al Kingsley, Chair of Hampton Academies Trust and author of “My School & Multi-Academy Trust Growth Guide” will unpick the current landscape, areas and routes for growth within our MATs, the opportunities and threats presented, alongside key financial considerations and future benchmarks for being strong and sustainable trusts.
Al has 20 years governance experience, has been chair of a number of Multi-Academy Trusts, as well AP settings. He currently sits on the Regional Schools Directors Advisory board for the East of England, chairs his regional SEND board as well as publishing a range of accessible guides for schools on growth, governance and educational technology.
ADAPTING YOUR DIGITAL STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE OF EDTECH
GESS Conference Dubai
October 30, 2023
EdTech has evolved rapidly over the past few years, and with added pressure on budgets, staff wellbeing/retention, and with future eyes towards a larger innovative digital-led system, schools face new challenges in planning for the future. Many schools will already have a digital strategy in place, but few will support education in 2030 and beyond. Having written the book on Digital Strategy and EdTech, as well as writing internationally on best practice, Al will help participants to adapt their digital strategy for the future, ensuring their edtech is impactful, supports staff (and students) and doesn’t break the bank.
5 minutes with… BESA LearnED keynote speaker Al Kingsley
BESA
August 25, 2022
As the BESA LearnED Roadshows are fast approaching, we caught up with Al Kingsley, author of ‘My Secret #EdTech Diary‘ and the upcoming ‘My School Governance Handbook‘, presenter of the ‘Check it Out Show‘ podcast and MAT Chair. Al is a keynote speaker at LearnED and was kind enough to share his thoughts on the challenges and issues schools face in maximising EdTech for teaching and learning.
Education Beyond Physical Space
Foundation for Educational Development
March 02, 2021
FED’s National Education Summit, keynote speakers Al Kingsley and Charlie Radman come together to discuss how education has changed in recent times due to the pandemic, but also recognising the staggering number of students who do not have access to an education before this began.
Our six pillars of Digital Strategy: our journey so far - Al Kingsley
Learn Live UAE
October 22, 2020
In this closing keynote presentation from the #LearnLiveUAE conference, author, chair of two MATs, MD NetSupport, Top Tech Influencer, and all-round champion for education Al Kingsley discusses the six pillars for a successful digital strategy in schools.
My Conversation with Al Kingsley
The Tatooed Teacher Podcast
July 11, 2024
In this conversation, I interview Al Kingsley, an EdTech expert and CEO of Net Support Limited. We discuss the challenges and inequities in the education system, the need for long-term thinking and collaboration, and the importance of focusing on the learner. We also touch on the role of technology in education and the need for teachers to have support and resources. The conversation highlights the need for a learner-centered approach and the importance of building confidence and capacity within the education system. We also cover the importance of support networks, the potential of generative AI to save teachers time, the need for incremental changes in education, and the challenges of evaluating and adopting edtech tools
Respect for Teachers and Trends in EdTech with Al Kingsley
Palmer Media
December 11, 2023
Al Kingsley has been the CEO of NetSupport (https://www.netsupport-inc.com/) for over 26 years and an Edtech Industry veteran for 30+ years. He is a school governor in his native U.K. and was just named co-chair of Workstream 4 at the Foundation for Educational Development. He’s a frequent speaker on the global edtech circuit and has his own podcast NetSupport Radio. He authored a book last summer titled, My Secret #EdTech Diary. And he was recently named Edtech Digest’s 2022 Best Edtech Author/Speaker or Podcaster.
What's the MATA? My chat with AI Kingsley
The MATA
March 28, 2022
Welcome to the March edition of the "What's the MATA?" podcast, hosted by Matt McDermott. In this months episode I am joined by Al Kingsley, an all round EdTech expert within the space (Group CEO of NetSupport) and also Chair of Hampton Academies Trust.
Enjoy!
Tags: Digital Transformation, Education, Leadership
GESS Dubai 2021: Al Kingsley
GESS 2021
November 15, 2021
We were lucky enough to grab 5 minutes with EdTech legend that is NetSupport CEO Al Kingsley on their stand at GESS Dubai. We learnt all his book, "My Secret EdTech Diary" as well as the new Classroom.Cloud from NetSupport that you can explore for yourself on Stand A7 at GESS Dubai.
The RSA has been at the forefront of significant social impact since 1754. Our proven change process, rigorous research, innovative ideas platforms and unique global network of changemakers, work collectively to enable people, places and the planet to flourish in harmony.
Why multi school groups need a robust digital strategy to grow
bett
January 25, 2024
On Day 2 of FED’s National Education Summit, keynote speakers Al Kingsley and Charlie Radman come together to discuss how education has changed in recent times due to the pandemic, but also recognising the staggering number of students who do not have access to an education before this began.
Living in a world wheree 86% of teachers in the US are partially or fully teaching online, Charlie looks deeply into the ways that countries across the world have adapted to learning, acknowledging the challenges and opportunities that have been raised in education due to Covid-19, and the impact that technology has had on learning overall.
Unlocking growth in multi school groups requires schools to achieve economies of scale, improve teaching and learning standards, and make progress in areas such as wellbeing, recruitment and retention. It's a big ask. One often-overlooked area is having a flexible digital infrastructure in place to support both the development of teaching and learning and the school's operational efficiency. A carefully planned EdTech strategy enables new schools to join a MAT infrastructure with minimum disruption and allows quicker integration while improving communication and efficiency. This international panel will discuss their own experiences of unlocking improvements in the classroom, in addition to the broader strategic priorities and growth within their schools, trusts or districts.
Leading a digital strategy beyond crisis response.
The role and remit of institution leaders have seismically evolved during a time that demanded technology throughout all aspects of school management, teaching and learning. This panel session will bring together leaders from institutions and Multi-Academy Trusts to draw on their experiences, current practices and visions for the leading a long-term digital strategy and driving whole-school transformation, discussing topics including: What are institutions prioritising and embedding as part of their long-term digital strategy? How can institutions mitigate disruption to learning and ensure quality education for all learners with a range of needs in future crises? How are institutions creating a culture of change and resilience throughout their community?
”Joining the Dots” focuses on the many challenges facing education and how different approaches and innovations are required to meet these challenges, which, due to their interconnectedness, are also challenges facing all sorts of educational establishments, educators, parents and families, businesses and the economy as a whole. Co-hosts Matt Jessop and Al Kingsley, have discussions with innovative educators, business leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders and guests.
Be Bold, Be Brave and go with your Heart.
IT Career Energizer
August 06, 2024
Al Kingsley has almost 30 years’ experience in educational technology and digital safeguarding, with a passion for education. He’s the CEO of EdTech company, NetSupport, and an EdTech author.
Al's Top 3 Career Tips
1. You are born with two eyes, two ears and one mouth. You should use them in appropriate proportions. You don’t need to be the first person to speak to prove your worth. Listen to others, assimilate their views and then share an insight.
2. Stand your ground. If you’ve listened and absorbed and you genuinely believe that something is right don’t be scared to stand your ground.
3. Be bold. Be Brave. Go with your heart. Don’t go with the obvious. Look for opportunities where you will be motivated and energized.
Bridging the Gap Between Technology, Education and Workplace Culture
HR Gazette
May 13, 2024
In this HRchat episode we look at the evolving dynamics of workplace culture, the importance of empowering employees, and why more autonomy and trust from leaders can lead to higher levels of employee performance.
Our guest this time is Al Kingsley, a well-known EdTech expert and business leader. Al has a big social following, has written 3 books around Ed Tech and Governance, leads the NetSupport Group, and is a MAT Chair.
Assistive Technology - How the pandemic shifted the education sector.
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July 06, 2022
Another really informative episode on EdTech Shared. In this episode Richard Purcell talks about his experience of dyslexia in school and university and how it impacted his learning. He speaks first hand about the power of assistive technology in education and how it can support students.
Creating Impact with Digital Signage in Education.
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June 05, 2022
In this episode, Neil Emery talks about how to use digital signage in schools to help share success, ethos and having impact. Where to locate them, who your audience is and how to select content to maximise that impact.
Neil Emery has been working in education for over 15 years supporting well ov
Universal Design for Learning
EdTech Shared
May 09, 2022
In this episode of EdTech Shared, Patrick McGrath, Head of Education Strategy at TextHelp talks about Universal Design for Learning and unpicks the what, why and how we learn and how this can be made inclusive and equitable through use of technology. Educator, international speaker, blogger, podcaster, Honorary Fellow at UU and Head of Education Strategy at the Texthelp Group, Patrick is passionate about ensuring that technology has a positive, meaningful and sustainable impact on teaching & learning through a focus on inclusion, accessibility and universal design. Find Patrick online @TH_Patrickm or www.pmcgrath.me
Universal Design for Learning
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May 08, 2022
In this episode of EdTech Shared, Patrick McGrath, Head of Education Strategy at TextHelp talks about Universal Design for Learning and unpicks the what, why and how we learn and how this can be made inclusive and equitable through use of technology.
Discussing the news and events with children
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April 20, 2022
In this episode, Gemma Kenny talks about how we tackle what is in the news with children, depending on their age and development stage. Gemma shares content and advice for teachers to help them start these often difficult conversations.
Gemma is a Primary School and Special Education Needs Teacher
Developing a teacher platform to support inclusive education
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April 18, 2022
Ryan Evans catches up with EdTech Shared at BETT to give us his backstory on what inspired him to digitally transform a special needs school. This encompassed helping teachers shift their pedagogical and technological practices to help students access well known digital tools to support future forwa
Vision for growing an inspirational learning community
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April 13, 2022
Linda catches up with Tim Clarke on the expansion of Cornerstone primary school in the UK.
The digital development of his school is one of the examples of how his staff have pulled together as a team to drive the development of a learning community, focused around their core values.
Esports within the curriculum
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April 12, 2022
James Fraser-Murison catches up with EdTech Shared at BETT to give us a 10min taster on the incredible growth of the Esports in education community and how he has developed a successful Pearson BTEC curriculum to teach students the skills needed to access this fast growing global vocation.
Triggering learning experiences using immersive content
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April 11, 2022
A fab episode where Philip Birchinall talks all things immersive education.
Phil has been an educator and award winning EdTech innovation leader for almost 30 years, developing and bringing high impact content into the classroom, most recently at the forefront of immersive technologies such as
Linda’s BETT 2022 plans and recommendations
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March 21, 2022
In this special episode of "EdTech Shared" you might notice that Linda is rather excited about the upcoming BETT conference, she shares why, the opportunities to learn, build her #PLN, check out innovative solutions and mentions quite a few she is looking to develop within her schools. Well worth ad
Al’s BETT 2022 plans and recommendations
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March 21, 2022
In this special episode of "EdTech Shared" Al shares his plans for #BETT2022, what he hopes to discover, products and solutions he plans to check out as well as highting the amazing group of vendors who have come together with NetSupport on stand SK51 for the show. You can find out more here.
Delivering a Digital Strategy & Vision
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March 21, 2022
In this episode of "EdTech Shared" Paul Gardner shares his experiences working internationally on delivering a digital vision, addressing the core "why", building stakeholder support, building an ecosystem that respects and complements the school community and much much more.
Creating an Education Magazine
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March 21, 2022
In this brilliant episode of EdTech Shared, Kat Cauchi talks about her journey as Editor of RISE magazine, creating a platform and voice for educators, what she learnt, how she fostered the community voice and opportunities for you to get involved too.
Marginal Gains
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March 11, 2022
In this episode of EdTech Shared, Mark Anderson talks all things marginal gains, how those little tweaks to your practice, with a cumulative effect can really have a big impact. He shares some great tips and tricks to help you save time with feedback and ways to streamline lessons with the use of cl
Creating a culture of innovation
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March 11, 2022
In this episode of EdTech Shared, Evo Hannan discusses the need to create a culture of innovation in any organisation.
Evo is passionate about design and innovation in education. Innately driven by his desire to create positive change, Evo has utilised his 20 years of teaching experience to channel
What is Innovation ?
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March 11, 2022
In this episode of EdTech Shared, show co-host and all things "Digital Innovation" leader Linda Parsons asks the question, what is innovation? She shares her journey, best practice advice and three top tips to help you innovate too. Some great mentions for Ross McGill's Teacher Toolkit, Tom Sherring
All things School Radio
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March 04, 2022
In this great episode Russell Prue talks about all the opportunities and benefits for children from having a School Radio station.
Russell is a well-known character in the Edtech World, he’s an educator and published author. Russell regularly hosts live shows for colleagues and young people o
Selecting the right EdTech
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March 04, 2022
In this episode of EdTech Shared Al Kingsley talks through the questions to ask and things to consider when selecting any #EdTech solution for your school.
Al describes himself as a man of two hats, with one he the is CEO of the EdTech powerhouse NetSupport, with almost 30 years' experience in
Digital Citizenship
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March 04, 2022
In this episode of "EdTech Shared" Caroline Allams gives us the low down on all things digital citizenship - #DigCit and why it's never been so important.
Caroline is Natterhub’s Co-founder, Chief Product Officer (CPO) and an experienced educator. Natterhub, a gated immersive online safety and
Welcome to EdTech Shared - preview episode
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February 10, 2022
In their preview episode, Linda and Al just say Hi, introduce their ideas for the EdTech Shared channel and most importantly, explain how you can get involved.
The show is intended to showcase in bitesize episodes, educators and innovators from around the world who want to share their ideas, adv
Author / Speaker of the Year
EdTech Digest
April 04, 2022
EdTech Digest Leadership awards 2022 - The largest education technology recognition program in the world, The EdTech Awards from EdTech Digest recognizes people for outstanding contributions in transforming education through technology to enrich the lives of learners everywhere.
https://www.edtechdigest.com/2022-finalists-winners/
Come join us on Saturday 23rd April at The King’s Leadership Academy in Warrington for an exciting day packed full of research-informed practice from both a primary and secondary context.
Tags: Digital Transformation, EdTech, Emerging Technology
9 Webinars
Innovations in EdTech and How to Implement AI in Education
GESS
September 05, 2024
Catch up with our latest webinar where we explore the latest advancements in educational technology and practical strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into learning environments. Listen to our expert speakers to discover how AI can transform teaching methodologies and enhance student engagement and outcomes.
Edtech Thought Leader Q&A: Al Kingsley, Author, Speaker, DfE Advisor
Finnermore Consulting
September 03, 2024
Our first #FinnemoreFireside of the academic year is with Al Kingsley, Group CEO of NetSupport and also very well known in the edtech sector as a Mentor, Multi Academy Trust Chair, DfE Advisory Board, ISC Top 10 Global Edrupter, Author, Speaker, DBT Export Champion, 23 Edufuturist and BESA EdTech Chair. Phew, what a list!
In this insightful interview, Al brings his extensive experience and passion for edtech to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing schools today. From the need for more flexible, personalised learning models to the crucial role of technology in education, Al offers thought-provoking ideas on how we can better support our students and educators.
In it, we discuss, amongst other things:
- Schools' Purpose and Challenges: Al highlights the evolving role of schools, which now extends beyond education to include child care and social care, creating increased pressure on educators.
- Future of Education: education needs a more flexible and personalised approach, incorporating digital tools while still valuing human interaction and nurturing skills like critical thinking and creativity.
- Systemic Issues: we discuss government policy, noting that short-term measures and underfunding prevent meaningful educational reform. A long-term vision is essential, but often sidelined due to political cycles.
- Edtech’s Role: we talk about a balanced use of technology in schools, emphasising that while tech can enhance learning, it should not replace the human elements of education that develop well-rounded individuals.
- Personalised Learning: the idea of more tailored learning experiences, possibly through blended or hybrid models, to better engage students and cater to different learning styles.
- Government and Education: Al argues that the government should trust and support educators more, giving them the resources and autonomy to innovate, rather than imposing rigid policies and targets.
- Innovative Practices: schools that take bold, innovative approaches to education should be praised for focusing on holistic student development rather than just academic metrics.
- Edtech Industry’s Approach: edtech companies should focus on creating simple, scalable, and flexible solutions that are easy for schools to implement, and should work closely with educators to understand their needs.
- Collaboration Over Competition: edtech vendors should build long-term relationships with schools, offering ongoing support and training rather than just selling products.
- The Need for Trust and Respect: rebuilding trust between the government, schools, and the wider education community is crucial for driving positive change in the sector.
It's a great interview which we really enjoyed recording. Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments.
Interview with Al Kingsley - Hear his thoughts on all things EdTech in this discussion with Ed Fairfield and Sarah Morgan from the Naace Board of Management.
Unlocking the secrets of Education Technology through Ai with Al Kingsley
Slow-Smoked Business
December 06, 2023
Today we are diving into the AI revolution, the evolution of technology in education, and the unique approach that has kept him at the top of the game after 34 years.
Join us as Al shares insights on their strategy for success, the challenges of the tech industry, the essential role of understanding educators' needs, and the role AI plays in the current tech landscape.
And be sure to give the full episode with Al from a few weeks back a watch for more insight into tech and all things AI… You’ll be glad that you did!
EduGeek Webinars - Shaping & Implementing Digital Strategy
EduGeek
January 24, 2023
The use of EdTech has exponentially increased in schools over the past few years, but many are continuing to purchase new solutions without undertaking a thorough audit of their existing ones to understand/evidence their impact. From exploring what they currently have and how it’s being used, to looking at how well the technology is embedded and if there are any gaps in their provision, they will leave the session with the tools to help them evaluate and evidence their solutions and enable them to select the right EdTech for impact whilst moving their digital vision forward.
Respect for Teachers and Trends in EdTech
Palmer Media - Trending in Education
August 01, 2022
Al Kingsley has been the CEO of NetSupport (https://www.netsupport-inc.com/) for over 26 years and an Edtech Industry veteran for 30+ years. He is a school governor in his native U.K. and was just named co-chair of Workstream 4 at the Foundation for Educational Development. He’s a frequent speaker on the global edtech circuit and has his own podcast NetSupport Radio. He authored a book last summer titled, My Secret #EdTech Diary. And he was recently named Edtech Digest’s 2022 Best Edtech Author/Speaker or Podcaster.
Al rejoins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the need for respect for educators in these challenging times. We explore pathways into careers in EdTech and School Leadership as Al imparts his broad experience in international education trends and online learning
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