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ICT Excellence Awards 2008 - Support for schools - joint winner IT Support Services, Durham County Council The link goes on to say ... I find this somehow hard to believe, unless they're being pedantic and clever with their definition of DLG. The same system used for the "Learning Gateway" is also the DCC extranet. It seems that to win this award you just have to appease Becta, follow their guidelines and make sure your paperwork and procedures match Becta's. Systems actually working (on a technical level) or fit-for-purpose-ness mustn't enter the equation. Should Becta canvas for the opinion of the people who actually use their services?

Just read this interesting blog posting about the issues an open source provider had when attempting to tender for a BECTA contract. It shows up a few valid issues with the tendering process that they used. Ian Lynch's take on the BECTA fiasco

Hi all, (not sure if this is the right section to post so feel free to move if needed) We are currently trying to get FITS compliant by summer next year. We've already implemented a helpdesk which is running well and are creating so much paperwork and forms, the guys at FITS are bound to love us I was wondering if there are any schools out there that would be kind enough to let me and my boss nose around your ICT dept and see how a FITS compliant school gets by. My manager has been trying to organise a visit to a FITS school but none were available in our area. We are based in south east England. I thought this would be the perfect forum to make a request! Send me a PM if you think this is something you can help with. If you have any advice for us about FITS feel free to comment. Thanks!

You may be interested in SALTIS’ announcement today of the start of a BECTA/ISB project to improve interoperability between digital learning content and learning platforms. The SALTIS press release is at SALTIS press release (14/08/09). You may also be interested to read two SALTIS papers available at SALTIS Papers: Benefits and barriers in the use of managed content is written to stimulate the consultation which will be occurring in the next few weeks to inform the project’s requirements document. Supporting Interoperable Learning Content, which was published last BETT, makes the case for better interoperability as a key driver in using ICT to raise standards of teaching and learning in schools and would be useful background reading if the significance of interoperability escapes you. If you want a hard copy of this report, drop me a line at [email protected]. Both this formative stage of the project, and the final sign-off of project outputs will involve consultations with three key stakeholder groups: learning platform providers, content publishers, and representatives of end-users. Although the formal end-user panel will be selected by the independent consultancy EdICTs, we are interested in informal inputs from all interested parties. The views of teachers and educational leaders are of great interest to the project. Please let me know what you think, either by private email ([email protected]) or through this list or on the SALTIS forum atGeneral -. If you are interested in joining the panel representing end-users, please write to [email protected]. Crispin Weston Chairman of SALTIS. SALTIS Home Apologies for cross posting.

Well the title says it all.... Becta have launched a new website at Becta Emerging Technologies which is kind of an extension of their TechNews publication that you may already have heard about. Retired-admin Grumbledook and I were talking to the TechNews editor (I'm sure Mr G will correct me if I'm wrong with that title) and he was very excited about this.

From The Register :http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/21/becta_bett_it_burden/

Can anyone tell me in plain English how the Home Access scheme works, particularly, how schools and parents sign up for it? I've been meaning to do something about this for months. The news of Becta's soon demise has spurred me to do something before they're gone. Typically of Becta, their website has pages of text telling us how wonderful the scheme is, without any useful information like how to get started. Thanks.

Hi, I know this is probably a ridiculous/novice question, but... How much of the Becta guidelines are requirements that we as NMs have to adhere to/follow? or are they all recommendations that if we have other methods for doing things are perfectly acceptable? Thanks

Anybody going to this OpenSource conference ? It's free for School and LEA staff and is aimed at Teachers and Technical staff: Unconference 09 | Open Source Schools

Hi everyone - thanks for the support since I joined. I have mainly been trying to secure Becta's seal of approval for safe social learning networks in schools - particularly using communication technologies to build up fun partnerships with schools in other countries. Well over the wintry break, Becta came through. I have a 'supported by Becta' logo on my brand spanking new BETT brochure (and DCSF) and they contributed text saying that it supported progress towards Next Generation Learning. www.globalgateway.org/bett2010 Thanks for the help with it! Also... any chance I could pop to your stand and give you a box to give out? It is one of the intiatives at BETT that is most likely to be genuinely fun for teachers and learners. AND it works great with anything open source (which you can extend to your partner school), with mobile technologies, and is very useful because teachers in all subjects are interested. Let me know what you think of it! Liz

Becta signs Consultancy Services Framework deal with 17 suppliers to education :: PublicTechnology.net :: e-Government & public sector IT news + job vacancies: Anyone used /h ad dealings with any of these companies? Hows about speaking to the staff instead of spending millions on consultants

Breaking news, Becta have published the School MIS and Value For Money report 2010. Absolutely fascinating reading, i'm still processing it myself. Becta Local authorities - Procurement - Infrastructure - School MIS and value for money report 2010 Roll up - Roll up, get your copy now, before Becta disappears. Interesting look at the marketplace; penetration of different companies and the changing landscape. The best bit is a recommendation for there to be a freeze on changing governmental guidelines for reporting etc. Will it happen...? citation page 4: Lots to take in.