3.9 million funding to accelerate learner-focused technology in education

The Technology Exemplar Network programme, jointly led by government technology partner Becta and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), is a key element of the two organisations' complementary strategies for encouraging further integration of technology for learning into the FE and skills sector.

The programme will lead to the development of a national support network by encouraging providers with a track record of successfully embedding technology into their learning and teaching to create a forum to share best practice with other providers.

To help establish the network, support and funding will be 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 resulting from engaging with the network.

Welcoming the announcement, Bill Rammell, said, "Technology has the power to change lives. We rely on our education system to help us master it. Just as it is changing how we live, so it is changing how we learn. 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. The work of Becta and LSC setting up the Technology Exemplar Network will enable colleges and providers to learn from each other how best to use technology to the benefit of all."

The driving force behind the establishment of the Technology Exemplar Network has been the recognition that, for colleges and training providers to plan the implementation of sustainable technologies, they need evidence of what has worked to date.

By reviewing real examples of good practice taking place elsewhere, and sharing experience, learning providers can further develop their plans for future investment and implementation of technology for learning.

Stephen Crowne, Becta's Chief Executive, said, "This new network will help the sector raise its game still further by getting the best out of technology. Becta believes that improvement comes from the front line and this development will enable us to build a systematic approach to fostering good practice and spreading it throughout the system.

"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, said: "Raising the sector's performance to world class standards is a headline priority for the LSC. 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."

Background:
> Further Education colleges, work-based learning providers and adult and community learning providers will be eligible to participate in the programme.
> Outputs and results, including case-studies of participating providers, will be made available via the QIA Excellence Gateway.
> Providers will be invited to participate via a bidding process, which will be advertised widely from November 2007. A full launch of the network will take place in January 2008.
> The first phase of the programme will run during the current academic year. A robust, independent, evaluation of its success in this first phase will inform the programme's future development.
> £3.9 million is being made available to support the first phase in 2007-08.

Related links to this article:
Becta
Learning and Skills Council
Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills

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