Thank you and well done. I hope his books disappear - they shouldn't be anywhere near a child (or anyone). They are mean and spiteful and also just very shit.

That’ll be 2 Alastair. 2 each. Sorted 👍

Yeah.. I was that teacher 20 years ago so can totally empathise. Then I gained responsibility for tech across schools, then ended up in Ed tech. GDPR etc has made it easier to ‘policy out’ this stuff than it was back then. But that teacher is still miffed every time they get knocked back.

Same across all of tech. Some of us fighting to ensure the end result in edtech isn’t always enshitification.

Oh, there’s many many issues. Not denying that at all. But not everyone, that’s all! There’s a lot of great small businesses out there trying to do what’s right and trying to scrape a living. Important to shout them out whilst we also highlight what’s wrong.

Larger companies I’ve worked/talked with who always appear to be in it for the right reasons and hence who I’d assume are trustworthy: ALPS, IMP, Pupil Progress, SOCS to name a handful more.

I’d also include Teacher Tapp & No More Marking, I know you’ll not be a fan of their use of data / use of AI. However from what I’ve seen they’re clear about uses, security and privacy conscious & most definitely small businesses in the industry for the greater good with great people at the helm

In terms of businesses like these.. I’d obviously start with our own @schoolsbi.co.uk and then off the top of my head: SmartGrade from @joshuaperry.bsky.social & co, Insights from @richardselfridge.bsky.social & co.

I’d recommend looking at the approved vendors on 9ine’s website. 9ine do a great job with schools and with vendors to ensure security and data governance of student data on both sides of the fence. Our own certification is there and many others: www.9ine.com/certified-ve...

There’s defo big big issues in the first sectors of the industry - but it’s not all of us!

Finally a host of small businesses, often led & managed by educators still in it for the good of the profession & ultimately wanting the best for students & teachers. An over simplification still, but I could list many of the latter who are security conscious, international & honest in their work

Shell, there are issues in the industry but tarring everyone with the same brush helps nobody imho. Industry is split into 3 in my eyes.. ‘free’ global providers like MSFT GGL where you rightly raise issues. VC Backed mega companies that own multiple products - some are good, some have issues…

The trees have grown a bit, but the view is basically unchanged 80 years later 😀

It was a little bit slippy. But it was also a looong way round 🤣

That’s more extreme than this one I came across in the spring. As there was no sign on this one I did actually make it across!

Oh that’s a bit grim. I’ve not seen it, but that’s probably down to judicious use of the block function to make sure I don’t!