Watch our highly engaging training video, 'Ask the Expert', where we will be joined by Guest Expert, Dr Andrew Manches, a teacher turned academic. For his 'day job' he works at the School of Education at the University of Edinburgh, where he researches the role of interaction in the way children think and learn and the implications for new forms of technology.

For his 'night job' he has created 'The Magic Cloud' a new computing education tool for young children. The Magic Cloud enables children (and teachers) to program what image or video clip to show on screen when a ‘tagged’ object is placed on a soft cloud-shaped cushion. The Magic Cloud is a refreshingly creative (magical) alternative to typical programming tools.

In this training video, you will learn how digital technologies can:

• Help young children make sense of numbers quickly, easily and meaningfully
• Enhance their critical and creative thinking skills
• Enable individual inquiry and investigation amongst the whole class
• PLUS top tips on what to avoid in terms of technology toy traps!

Hosted by Earlyarts Director, Ruth Churchill Dower, this training event is suitable for:

• early years and KS1 teachers
• early years practitioners and professionals
• nursery managers
• local authority officers
• home educators
• parents and carers