Thomas Blakemore

My feed has been awash with opinions from teachers about the proposed social media ban for under-16s.

Personally, I can see the benefits.

As a teacher, and now as a parent, stronger guardrails online could help protect children's wellbeing, mental health, self-esteem and attention spans. The benefits won't appear overnight, but fewer hours scrolling could mean more time for reading, creativity, sport and real-world friendships.

However, I don't think enough responsibility is being placed on the social media companies themselves.

Many platforms employ some of the world's brightest behavioural scientists and psychologists to maximise engagement. Their business model depends on attention, and I suspect future generations may look back at parts of social media culture in a similar way to how we now view smoking. Not because they're the same thing, but because we've normalised something without fully understanding the long-term consequences.

And I say that as someone who creates content online every week.

The other side of this debate is educational content.

Many teachers use social media to support young people. I've created SATs and revision content in the past, and thousands of educators share free explanations, tips and guidance that students access when they need it most.

That's why YouTube feels like a unique case. For many students, it's not just social media. It's where they learn, revise and explore new ideas.

Which raises a bigger question:

Are we tackling the root cause of harmful platform design?

Or are we simply restricting access while leaving the incentives unchanged?

What are your thoughts?

1 week ago | [YT] | 4

Thomas Blakemore

My Favourite Reading Websites For Teachers

If you are looking for reading websites that actually save time and keep pupils engaged, these are the ones worth bookmarking.

Here are my favourites:

🧠 Chalkie.AI, brilliant for new audio activities and audio comprehension, plus you can use Thomas20 for 20% off Pro

📚 Phonics Play, a classic for phonics practice and easy classroom use

🎬 Storyline Online, perfect for bringing stories to life with great read alouds

🎧 Storynory, lovely for audio stories that children can enjoy independently

🔤 Phonics and Stuff, a handy extra for phonics support and quick ideas

A good reading website should do more than just fill time. It should make reading fun, support learning, and make your life easier too.

Save this for later and share it with a teacher who is always hunting for better reading resources.

#readingresources #teachersofinstagram #phonics #primaryteaching #teachertips

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2 weeks ago | [YT] | 12

Thomas Blakemore

it's been year since I accidentally changed the edtech landscape.

A year ago today, I released something that had been 5 years in the making.

From there, I’ve been privileged to showcase 100s of amazing companies doing amazing things but in a way that cuts out the noise.

Teachers need to know how to boost digital literacy, yes; but they also want to save time and knowing what’s out there is half the battle.

Last year, I launched Edtech Empowered. While teaching in Dubai, the biggest perk for me was how much I was left to explore tech and how it could be used, particularly during times where we could only recap learning (a different story)

This allowed me to use lots of different tools and see what worked, what needed to be tweaked and scrap what doesn’t.

Over the years, I kept this big list of free teacher websites on my phone.

When anyone else looked at it, they’d say ‘Oh I use that one and that one’ then I’d ask if they’d seen another tool to which they were interested but wouldn’t know where to start.

Edtech Empowered became just that.

More than 80 free teacher websites, the pros, the cons and how they can be used in lessons.

To date, hundreds of teachers have read the book and said they’ve been able to implement new ideas.

To celebrate it being 1 year, I’ve created a discount code: ONEYEAR for and EXTRA 20% off too.

I can’t wait for you to see what others have.

This is the cheapest it has been since launch
Https://www.teachtraveltriumph.com/product-page/ed…

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 3

Thomas Blakemore

5 Teacher AI Websites That Save Time 🕰️ (ad)

Still doing everything the hard way? Couldn’t be me 😅

Here are 5 AI tools teachers should know:

📚 Chalkie.ai
Great for lesson slides and medium term planning.
Use code thomas20 for 50% off your first 2 months.

🍌 Nano Banana
Quick, creative, and great for idea generation.

🎨 AutoDraw
Perfect for fast classroom visuals and simple designs.

🤖 Gemini
Useful for planning, brainstorming, and saving time.

🖍️ Craiyon
Handy for creating AI images for lessons and resources.

Comment “Chalkie” to learn more 👇
Follow for more teacher tech tips.

#teacherai #teachingtools #edtech #teacherlife #aitools

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2 months ago | [YT] | 38

Thomas Blakemore

1 Year with Picture News
I blinked and suddenly a year has passed.
This year has been a pivot into something I’ve wanted to do try I first hit publish on YouTube 8 years ago.
Taking everything I learned through trial and error and applying it in a business setting has been exciting… and humbling.

As I’ve become more involved with Picture News, so has my appreciation for what they stand for. Helping children engage with the world through current affairs in a positive, accessible way. Honestly, that media literacy feels more important than ever right now.
Some highlights I’ve supported this year(very much a team effort)
• Introducing Shorts, TikToks and Reels consistently• 250,000 YouTube views in a year (up 150%)• 1K+ YouTube subscribers• Doubling LinkedIn following and engagement• 100% increase in Instagram engagement
This is great and all that but the real development is in challenges beyond the numbers ,
The bits people don’t post about
Imposter syndrome
Going from “my page, my rules” to representing a brand hits differently. You second guess more than you’d like to admitWhat works for you doesn’t always work for a business
Just because something ‘bangs’ on your personal account doesn’t mean it fits the brand, audience or tone. That shift took time.Balancing creativity with consistencyIt’s not just about going viral. It’s about showing up, on-brand, over and over again.
Measuring success differentlySocial media success is not just views and likes; It’s impact, retention, trust and long-term growth.
This role has pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, not just as a creator, but as someone learning how to think beyond themselves as I have for the past 8 years.
And that’s probably been the biggest win.
Year 2… let’s see what you’ve got. Certainly many exciting plans in the works!

3 months ago | [YT] | 8

Thomas Blakemore

Canva changing the game for teachers with their newest feature enabling Google NotebookLM edits even faster.

Edit NotebookLM Infographics With 1 Click
https://youtu.be/ypHr8XG88-4

3 months ago | [YT] | 19

Thomas Blakemore

Infographics I’ve Made For Teachers Using Google NotebookLM

You can now use NotebookLM to create phenomenal infographics for your classroom to support learning and breakdown complex topics

Get the guide: www.teachtraveltriumph.com/product-page/the-ultima…

#ai #teacher #teacherlife

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3 months ago | [YT] | 7

Thomas Blakemore

A frustrating delay with this week's video. Slide deck quite literally taking an entire PPA to generate. Pros and cons of AI.
Last week's video is most popular in a while
https://youtu.be/G9eh8S5W45c

4 months ago | [YT] | 1

Thomas Blakemore

Half Marathon PB 🙌
Official Chip Time 1:59:42
5K PB too: 25:12

FINALLY in the sub 2 hour club!

Super proud of this one after multiple bouts of cramp in mile 19 and 20 where I normally would have gave up but battled through 🙌

4 months ago | [YT] | 15

Thomas Blakemore

Every single year, I’m asked the same questions.

Where is the best place to find Dubai teaching jobs?
What type of experience do I look for?
What are the best schools?
What should I expect in terms of contract?
How do I apply?
What questions are asked during an interview?

It’s why I decided to write this guide to getting your dream teaching job in the UAE 🇦🇪

It covers all these questions and many more and has been used by 2000+ educators to support their applications process.

Because I love you guys on YouTube, if you use TeachUAE, you’ll get a discount too.

Repost this to someone who will find it useful.

Comment UAETEACH and I’ll send the link to you 🙌

4 months ago | [YT] | 5