Skip to main content
AIBooksEdTechFree resource

Cut Through the Hype: Your Essential 2025 AI Almanac for Educators ready for BETT 2025

By January 17, 2025No Comments

Every year at BETT, we’re bombarded with EdTech vendors showcasing the latest AI-driven tools, each promising to transform teaching and learning. But how often do these pitches come loaded with technical jargon and buzzwords that leave you wondering what’s really under the hood? If you’ve ever nodded along while hearing terms like ‘machine learning’ or ‘large language models’ but weren’t entirely sure what they meant in a classroom context, you’re not alone.

That’s why I’ve put together the AI Almanac for Educators, a practical reference designed to help you cut through the jargon, understand what these terms mean, and ask the right questions to determine whether a tool is genuinely useful or just riding the AI hype wave.

Why Understanding AI Terminology Matters

AI is increasingly embedded in education, but vendors often use vague or misleading terminology to market their products. For example, a company might say their platform is ‘AI-powered,’ but does that mean it uses genuine machine learning, or is it simply a glorified automated workflow? Without a solid understanding of AI concepts, it’s easy to fall for flashy marketing rather than making evidence-based decisions about what’s going to support learning.

Understanding AI terminology is about being able to engage critically with vendors, ensuring that any EdTech you adopt is grounded in real pedagogical value.

Asking the Right Questions to Dig Deeper

Most vendors at BETT have good intentions, but that doesn’t mean their tools always deliver on their promises. That’s why it’s important to challenge claims and dig deeper than the sales pitch. Here are two key strategies to help you do that:

1. Ask for Proof: “Which schools are successfully using this, and can I contact them?”

A credible vendor should be able to provide real-world case studies and put you in touch with schools already using their technology. Instead of accepting broad claims like “thousands of educators love our platform,” ask:

  • “Can you share a school that has successfully implemented this? I’d love to hear directly from them about its impact.”
  • “Do you have any independent research or data that shows measurable improvements in learning outcomes?”

If a company struggles to provide specifics, it may suggest its claims are more about marketing than measurable impact.

2. Unpack the Buzzwords: “How does this actually work in a classroom?”

Many vendors will describe their products as ‘AI-powered’ or ‘adaptive,’ but what does that really mean? Push them to clarify:

  • “When you say ‘AI-powered,’ what specific AI technologies does your tool use?”
  • “How does your system personalise learning? Is it just recommending content, or does it adapt based on student responses?”
  • “How much teacher oversight is required for this tool to be effective?”

By asking these questions, you’ll quickly separate tools that genuinely enhance learning from those that just sound impressive in a pitch.

Introducing the 2025 AI Almanac for Educators

To help you navigate these conversations, I’ve created the AI Almanac for Educators, a resource designed to make AI terminology accessible and actionable for teachers and school leaders. Whether it’s understanding large language models (LLMs), predictive analytics, or fake work, the Almanac provides clear definitions, making it easier to assess EdTech products with confidence.

Having this resource in hand means you won’t be caught off guard by unfamiliar terminology, you’ll be equipped to engage in meaningful discussions, challenge claims, and make informed decisions about what’s genuinely useful for your school.

Final Thoughts: Be Informed, Be Empowered

EdTech has enormous potential, but only when it’s used effectively. As an educator, your expertise in teaching and learning is what matters most. By equipping yourself with the right knowledge and strategies, you can ensure that the AI tools you explore at BETT 2025 serve a real purpose rather than just being the latest shiny thing.

📥 Download the AI Almanac for Educators here: bit.ly/aialmanac2025 so that you’re ready to cut through the AI jargon at BETT 2025.

And if you’d like some help with AI in your school, you can of course work with me to help with strategy, policy and training. If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, join my happy list of many clients who’ve benefitted from my work by getting in touch here.

Mark Anderson

Mark Anderson, @ICTEvangelist. Click here to learn more.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.