Hosts Information

To ensure the PD session or keynote runs smoothly and delivers the highest impact for your team, please arrange for the following technical setup:

Summary

HDMI cable to plug into James’s laptop
A small table for his laptop
A lapel or head mic (where needed)
Fresh drinking water (still)
Printed or digital copies of the notes sent by James

Laptop and Connectivity

The most critical request is that James presents from his own laptop. So, please provide an HDMI cable at the front of the room or on the stage to connect directly to the projector. For more information, see below.
James runs a Macbook with a native HDMI. He also brings connectors as a back-up to allow the HMDI to plug into a USB-C port. He also brings his own clicker.

Audio and Microphones

When a mic is needed then a lapel or headset microphone is highly preferred. A handheld microphone is a functional alternative, albeit a far less-favoured option. If your audience is less than 50, then a mic is probably not needed. James has a decent teacher voice.
If possible, please provide a connection (HDMI or 3.5mm jack) to play sound from James’s laptop. This is a nice-to-have rather than a must-have’ so please don’t be concerned if audio is unavailable.

Furniture and Refreshments

James’s style is that of a practitioner rather than a lecturer, so there is no need for a podium or lectern. All he requires at the front of the room is a small table for his laptop.
For sessions longer than a keynote, we recommend seating staff at tables (where the venue allows) to facilitate turn and talk discussions. Whether you group staff by faculty, year group or mixed teams is entirely at your discretion—whatever best supports your school’s current goals.
Please provide lots of still drinking water.
A good coffee is always appreciated too! Strong and black, please.

Resources

James will design a custom presentation based on your context and aims. A PDF of the session materials will be sent to you in advance for distribution. Please ensure every staff member has a copy with them on the day—either on their devices or as a printed copy. The most important thing is that the format allows colleagues to annotate the notes and capture their reflections in real-time.
For certain sessions—particularly those focusing on Feedback or The Learning Pit—staff will also need a sheet of plain paper (A4 or 8.5×11) and a pen or pencil, as well as a copy of the notes. James will advise you if this is indeed needed.

A Note for IT Departments

To maintain the quality and effectiveness of James’s presentation, we request that it is not run from a central house machine using a pre-sent file.

James is as an experienced teacher rather than a traditional lecturer. He therefore does not use a fixed, pre-set presentation.

His approach requires flexibility for the following reasons:

Customisation: He prepares many more slides than he intends to use, selecting the most relevant content in real-time based on comments from hosts or other speakers.
Audience Response: Throughout the session, he gauges the audience’s reaction, navigating his slide deck dynamically to the most appropriate section.
Depth Over Speed: Driven by the philosophy that ‘less is more,’ James will never rush to complete a slide deck. He curates the content as he goes to ensure maximum impact and a deepened learning experience.

Profile Images

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Sample Schedules

These are templates only – everything is adjustable. James will adapt the timings to match your standard hours, ensuring the training fits naturally into your team’s routine.