The Naace Annual Strategic Conference and Exhibition opened in Torquay in early March 2008. This is the definitive ICT Conference in the UK for all those involved in advancing education through the use of modern technologies in learning and teaching.

Naace has introduced a 'hot-seat' where invited colleagues field questions over a four week period. Our guest in the 'hot-seat' will either answer online at specific times, or at pre-arranged regular intervals. We look forward to hearing from you!

Students who perform very well in some subjects can often, inexplicably it seems, do poorly in others. This is a common problem in almost every school in the UK. In fact, when compared to virtually every other developed nation, the UK performs very badly in terms of varying standards within schools. Tackling these differences has become a focus for many schools.

The use of ICT for performance data is fast becoming an issue as important for ICT professionals as its use in the curriculum. There is a wide gap at present between the 'Data-Confident' schools that use performance data systemically and know themselves well, and schools that use data in a more basic, functional way. The changes in the way that 'school standards' are being viewed require schools to demonstrate that 'Every Child Matters' rather than just those who gain five A*-C grades. New data analysis tools are simple enough to support action research by all teachers into their pupils' performance. Schools could demonstrate the consistency of provision by publishing measures of 'Within School Variation'.

Our first 'hot-seat' guest is Phia le Roux. She will be answering your questions from 9 January 2008. Phia has kindly agreed to share an hour per week 'live' at 4-5pm every Wednesday and will pick up and answer any other questions at 8.30am Mondays and Fridays. Please fire all your questions on what podacasting is about, why podcast, how to get started, what you need to get started, potential difficulties, problems encountered etc.