Watch our highly engaging training video, 'Ask the Expert', where we will be joined by our Guest Expert Julie Anne Verbeelen, Founder of Turtlewings and Co-Founder and CEO of Think with Things. Winner of the OEC challenge 2014, Think with Things is combining two powerful tools - Things & Technology - to foster creative thinking, make children’s learning visible and give every learner the chance to engage and succeed.

In this training video, you will learn:

• How everyday things can transform dis-engaged learners into innovative problem solvers.
• How objects can be shared across every classroom and home throughout the world - like a digital cookbook for hands on education.
• How working with objects, patterns and designs can stimulate hands-on learning when supported by open ended questions.
• Top tips and resources to help you build your very own bank of things that make you think

This training event is hosted by Earlyarts Director, Ruth Churchill Dower, and is suitable for:

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

"I was really nervous how to participate in a webinar, but the instructions were very clear and I got connected first time! I even managed to join in the chat room and ask my question. It was so convenient to hear an excellent speaker, live, from my own desk. Thanks for introducing me to technology that delivers" - Webinar participant, 'Approaches to Education in Museums'

Which lovely Presenters will I meet?

Julie Anne Verbeelen - Co-Founder and CEO of Think with Things. Winner of the OEC challenge 2014, Think with Things is combining two powerful tools Things & Technology to foster creative thinking and improve learning outcomes. Julie has been working for and with children since 2000.  Their core focus is in “making children’s voices visible” and they do this through “Designing with Children” and “Promoting Creativity in Education“. Their design techniques are a unique combination of children’s workshops and professional design services. As well as design, they also work with educators and organisations serving children and youth showing the amazing results of bringing creativity into the learning environment.

Julie has designed and developed educational programs products and environments. She is an expert at executing innovative programming centred on child and or adult learning, design of learning environments, and inspiring individuals to reach their full potential. She is skilled at managing teams including, like minded professionals, freelancers, students and volunteers and she has lectured and trained teams of teachers, museum practitioners, business people, artists, parents and children.

Ruth Churchill Dower - As Director of Earlyarts, the award winning training network in the cultural and education sectors, Ruth established Earlyarts in 2002 and scaled it up to have a national footprint in 2009. Ruth is in charge of keeping the vision for Earlyarts high on everyone’s agenda, advocating for what’s important with our youngest children, running the consultancy and export side of the company, supporting the team and generally making sure the business as a social enterprise is sustainable.

Ruth can often be found roaming the hills and valleys to indulge in her passion for paragliding, and spends her weekends puddle-splashing, den-building or tree-climbing with her two children.