I couldn’t let this last day pass without highlighting something I emphasise year after year: the importance that educators play in every decision made about the use of technology in schools. So as has become the tradition, there is no app, platform or tool on the final day of the #24DaysOfAI Appvent Calendar, there is only and simply, you.

I can hardly believe it’s been ten years since I left the classroom to focus on supporting educators and schools full-time. In that time, technology has advanced exponentially. We’ve seen the rise of Ai, the integration of 1:1 devices in classrooms, more digital platforms than we can count and survived a global pandemic. Yet, one thing has remained steadfast: teachers are still, and always will be, the most important element in any classroom.

Over the past decade of working with educators and school leaders across the globe, one truth stands out above all else: success with technology is less about the tools themselves and far more about the people using them. It’s easy to get lost in the allure of shiny new systems or platforms that promise to “revolutionise” education, but the reality is far more nuanced.

The often-repeated phrase, “the problem lies somewhere between the laptop and the chair,” might provoke a chuckle, and I’ve used it myself in the past. However, the more I work with schools, the more I realise how reductive it is. It oversimplifies the enormous skill, care, and thought required to make technology work effectively in a classroom. It ignores the fact that teaching with technology isn’t a matter of plugging in and pressing play. It’s a deeply human endeavour that involves the constant juggling of pedagogy, context, content, and care.

Take my 5Cs: confidence, competence, cognisance, consistency, and context. These principles matter because they centre the teacher and their professional expertise in discussions about technology. No platform, however clever, can replace the nuanced decision-making and relational work that educators do every day. It’s educators who know their pupils, their needs, and what will make the most impact in their specific classroom settings.

The same applies when it comes to the role of Ai in education. There’s no doubt that Ai has made significant waves, particularly in areas like workload reduction. Tools built on large language models have helped streamline tasks, saving precious time for teachers and support staff alike. That said, let’s be honest about what these tools really are. Many of them are simply polished packages built around systems we’re already familiar with. The difference lies in how they’re used. Ai isn’t some magical force transforming education; it’s a tool, one that can be incredibly helpful when wielded thoughtfully, and frustratingly unhelpful when it’s not.

One of the biggest appeals of Ai for educators has been its ability to support practical tasks, like reducing admin or generating ideas. That’s a good thing. But let’s not lose sight of the reality: Ai can be wrong, misleading, and downright unproductive when used without care. It’s not human, it doesn’t “know” anything, and it certainly isn’t capable of making the nuanced professional judgements that educators make every day. This is why I always come back to my guiding Bananarma principle: it’s not what you do, it’s the way that you do it, and that’s what gets results.

As we reach the close of another year, I want to leave you with a thought. The tools and platforms we use are not the heart of education, you are. The educators, the support staff, the leaders, all of you who work in education are what make the difference to the lives of young people. Technology is only ever a support act.

So as we wind down, I’m going to ask you to do something radical: step away. Close the laptop, put down your phone, and give yourself the space to truly switch off. The notifications, the emails, and the endless stream of social media posts will still be there in a few days. But this moment, this chance to rest, is fleeting.

Turn on your ‘Out of Office’ reply. Use your ‘Do Not Disturb’ settings to create a protective bubble for yourself. Limit your notifications to only the most important contacts, your family and loved ones who truly matter. Stay off LinkedIn, X, BlueSky, Instagram, and the rest. Focus instead on the people who make your world brighter and the moments that recharge your spirit.

Because here’s the truth: it’s you that matters. Far more than the tools you use, far more than the tech trends of the moment. You are the reason young people thrive. You are the one who brings lessons to life, guides, supports and inspires. And you deserve this time to rest, reflect, and reconnect with what makes you, you.

Take a break. You’ve earned it. I’ll see you next year.

Still here?

It would be remiss of me not to give some thanks for Appvent 2024, so thanks to Ronan McNicholl for sharing the load of writing the posts this year. Thanks also go to Liz Bury who crafted the calendar design this year and made the all-important daily images. Thanks also goes to Steve Bambury for his share on the calendar this year.  The impact of the Appvent calendar has spread far and wide this year, with many others springing up pivoting on the idea; from daily Edtech tips, to Ai tips, to Advent calendars of EdTech heroes in schools, to exact copies of the Appvent calendar itself. It’s an idea that won’t just go away, although maybe next year it might be time for something different. Who knows?

My final thanks go to you for checking the posts out each day and if you’ve enjoyed the series, please do let us know – it might be the inspiration that makes me do another one next year and it’s always great to hear the impact of our work and sharing and how you’ve taken these tools and worked with them in your setting.

We hope you heed the words shared above and have a truly restful and rejuvenating holiday break.

See you next year!

Stay Ahead with AI in Education:

Follow us on Bluesky (@globaledtech) Twitter/X (@global_edtech), and connect with us on LinkedIn for more innovative ideas and discussions. Interested in reaching a wider audience? Learn about our competitively priced sponsored post opportunities. Don’t forget to follow the insights of Mark Anderson at @ICTEvangelist on Twitter/X, and Ronan McNicholl at @ronanmcnicholl for more expert perspectives on EdTech.

Are you an EdTech company?

Interested in reaching a wider audience? Get in touch to learn about promotional opportunities on ictevangelist.com and global-edtech.com.