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Ben Whitaker

Consultant

The Ideas Guy

"Ben Whitaker is a freelance consultant working with a range of schools and organisations on both digital and cultural transformation. Prior to this, Ben worked for 15 years in UK education, latterly as an Assistant Principal, focusing on Digital Transformation. He is co-host of the popular Edufuturists podcast where he explores the future of education by interviewing thinkers from around the world, most notably around the implications of A.I. in Education. A Google Certified Innovator, Trainer & Coach, Ben is recognised as a global speaker on effective tech integration that has an impact on learning and culture. He is active on social media as @itsbenwhitaker and is the author of the new book, The Ideas Guy (www.theideasguy.io). Ben writes a weekly FRiDEAS newsletter around his 5 core themes of Innovation, Digital, Education, Authenticity & Strategy (IDEAS). He co-founded a digital marketing storytelling agency in 2024 and is now working with a range of clients across the UK and beyond, supporting them with strategic direction and marketing services. Ben has been married to Amanda for almost 18 years and is dad to Niamh (14) and Martha (10)."

SPEAKER SESSIONS

26 May, 2025 | 10:30 to 10:50
How to form and frame ideas

Ideas are the lifeblood of a thriving organisation. Cultivate and develop your ideas through a tried and tested framework for educational innovation. Perfect for passionate educators looking to innovate or leaders trying to roll out a technology plan, this session will explore various ideation techniques, teach you how to structure your thoughts, and provide insights on turning ideas into reality.

26 May, 2025 | 15:10 to 15:30
Purposeful Disruption with AI

It's the end of the world as we know it! Explore how technologies, including AI, are changing the way everyone will live, work and learn. But it’s not all doom and gloom - there is hope for what makes humans thrive! We will dive into how disruption isn’t necessarily a problem to be overcome but an opportunity for real impact at every level. Designed for any educator, digital leader or school administrator that wants to embrace AI for their learners but wants to do it in a considered and measured way.

27 May, 2025 | 10:30 to 10:50
Building a Culture of Innovation

Cultivating an environment that nurtures innovation at every level is essential for every educational organisation that wants to thrive. Discover how to foster a mindset that embraces risk, encourages collaboration, and rewards creative thinking. Explore 8 pillars for effective innovation in any organisation to build a resilient culture that not only adapts to change but drives it, inspiring teams to push the boundaries of what's possible. Ideal for educators, leaders and change-makers looking to spearhead innovation and inspire continuous growth.

27 May, 2025 | 11:10 to 11:30
Why critical thinking is the missing link in most schools’ tech adoption

We don't have information overload; we have filter failure. Learn to harness AI as a tool for enhancing critical thinking rather than viewing it as a challenge. This talk will demonstrate practical ways to integrate AI into problem-solving and decision-making processes, as well as showcasing how to teach critical thinking to learners of any age. Suitable for any educator or educational leader who wants to help learners learn HOW to think rather than WHAT to think.