Portsmouth science teacher takes to global stage to share positive impacts of laptops in class

On any other day Hajar Bellazrak would be teaching science to her students at The Portsmouth Academy in Fratton.

But this March she was selected by Microsoft to attend the world’s leading EdTech conference, Bett, where she talked to a global audience about how laptops have made a positive impact on children’s learning within her classroom.

Held this year at ExCeL London with a capacity of more than 4,000 people, Bett UK brings together educators like Hajar with students and businesses for interactive sessions on embracing the digital world to empower learning.

Hajar said: “It was an amazing experience to deliver two talks for Microsoft as a representative of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust.

“I feel ecstatic about the positive response I received and am really proud of what we’re achieving at The Portsmouth Academy, using digital One:One devices to close the digital divide within the city and help to make learning last.”

As part of the academy’s One:One scheme, each of Hajar’s students has access to an HP360 touchscreen laptop. This small, portable device fits into most school bags.

Students at The Portsmouth Academy using One:One devices. Credit: Thinking Schools Academy Trust

All laptops come pre-installed with the Microsoft Office suite and internet security features, and are regularly updated to keep students safe online.

During her speech at the conference, Hajar discussed the various Microsoft programmes which help in her day-to-day teaching, from the Reading Progress app to the Speaker Coach and Reading Coach.

She added: “It’s important to shout about the positive impact the software is having on how the pupils learn.

“These talks were delivered to other educators and people who are interested in implementing a robust digital strategy in their schools.

“Some attendees may be considering the use of laptop devices every day for their teaching, while others may already be on that journey. My talks focused on the benefits the devices have for the students.

“In Portsmouth, we have a very disadvantaged community with a very low reading age. There’s such a big focus on reading in the UK, as well as other topics, and having these devices and using the apps have really enhanced people’s ability to improve.”

As an ambassador for the Thinking Schools Academy Trust (TSAT), Hajar is part of a community of educators across the South of England taking a cognitive approach to teaching.

Natalie Sheppard, Director of TSAT, said: “It’s fantastic to see Hajar placing The Portsmouth Academy and our Trust on a worldwide stage to celebrate the fantastic work happening around digital education and closing the digital divide.

“When we created the digital city vision for Portsmouth, we had high hopes for what digital could do to help us provide a high quality and inclusive education for every child.

“It is amazing to see our family of schools contributing to this aspiration and sharing our practice locally, nationally and internationally.”

Credit: Thinking Schools Academy Trust