Today is our Becta Technology Exemplar Network Mini-Network Event (that’s a bit of a mouthful).
So what does that mean in English?
Well…
Gloucestershire College is one of sixteen education and skills providers from across England to have been granted Technology Exemplar Network status
The Technology Exemplar Network is designed to help colleges and other learning providers use technology more effectively.
The Technology Exemplar Network was launched in 2008 with ten members and is jointly led by government technology agency Becta and the Learning and Skills Council. It works to share best practice for using technology between different learning providers across the country.
Gloucestershire College was chosen because of our work in mobile learning (the MoLeNET projects for example) and Stars and Stripes, a record system we use with our learners to improve retention and achievement.
There are nine other FE Colleges in our mini-network who are termed participating providers.
The concept of the network is to cascading that experience and expertise to their colleagues in the network.
During this event the Exemplar should ensure that mini-network members discuss their requirements for participation. This will enable the Exemplar to develop a suitable programme of network engagement activities going forwards. These may include on-line collaboration opportunities, on-line conferences/events, provider site visits and further face to face meetings and events. This programme of activity will take place from January 2010 to July 2010.
I personally think it is a little more than just Gloucestershire College saying “this is how good we are and this is how it’s done”. For me the mini-network is an opportunity for FE providers to work together to share and collaborate to ensure that they use technology more effectively.
We will be using an unconference open format for the event, this is to maximise discussion and networking and minimise didactic transmission of information.
Should be interesting.
Twitter tag is #bectaten
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