The back story
Light Switch Insight was set up by Michael Shaw, an education technologist who has spent more than a decade leading teams creating systems for teachers and learners.
His past roles have included director of TES Resources, then the world’s-largest lesson-sharing platform, and head of product for the European schools publishing group Infinitas Learning.
In his daily work, Michael has been focussed on ensuring product teams work in user-centric ways and with genuine agility (instead of just using the ceremonies of agile).
But he also brings to the work deep domain insight on education.
Before switching to digital he was deputy editor of The Times Educational Supplement, and he spent more than 10 years writing about schools and research into learning.
In addition, he is a trustee of the UK’s Teacher Development Trust and was one of the authors of the book “Open Education In Practice” published by the European Learning Industry Group and the United Nations University.
Giving a guest lecture on prototyping and ethical platform development at the University of the Arts, London.
What does he offer?
Education product consultancy
Need advice or support making your education technology product? Michael brings in-depth expertise on the shortcuts and pitfalls from years developing systems for K12, higher and professional learners. He can also help ensure that education research and the voices of teachers and learners are truly at the centre of your processes.
Product management expertise
Worried that your product management team isn’t agile or user-centric enough? Even if you’re creating something unrelated to education, Michael can offer help here too.
And much more
In addition to Michael’s background in digital product management and education, his work in strategy and journalism means he can also provide support on:
communications
strategy
go-to-market approaches.
But why “Light Switch Insight”?
It’s a homage to a line from an education academic at Bristol University, Helen Wodehouse (1880-1964).
Plutarch wrote that the “mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled” (a quote often misattributed to WB Yeats.)
Wodehouse’s version acknowledges the messy challenge of teaching in a world of changing technology.