Training Toolkit

MP launches further-education tech forum

Kablenet.com

Published: 15 Oct 2007 15:20 BST

The Technology Exemplar Network programme, jointly led by the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), was launched on Thursday by education minister Bill Rammell.

The programme will encourage further-education providers that have a successful track record of using technology in their teaching to create a forum to share best practice. Further-education colleges, work-based learning providers and adult- and community-learning providers interested in joining will need to undergo a bidding process, which will be publicised in November.

The full network will then be launched in January 2008, with the first phase running during the 2007-08 academic year.

The idea behind the network is that colleges and training providers need evidence of what technology has already worked before pushing ahead with their own plans to implement new technologies.

Welcoming the announcement, minister for lifelong learning, further and higher education Bill Rammell said: "Many of our schools, colleges and universities already teach technology effectively and apply it innovatively in other subjects, but we want to see all leaders, teachers and trainers making full use of the potential for students and business."

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To support the network's first phase, £3.9m is being made available. Participating providers will also be eligible to receive funding to develop their use of technology for learning and to revise and implement strategies that come out of the network.

Stephen Crowne, Becta's chief executive, said: "We know that there has been significant investment in technology for learning and there are tremendous examples of where it has made a huge difference. This network will ensure that these examples are made available across the country."

Mark Haysom, LSC chief executive, added: "The Technology Exemplar Network programme will empower the sector to make the best of use of technology and accelerate the pace of positive change in delivering their provision. The ability to successfully exploit technology is key to maximising the skills and productivity of the nation."