Attempting to experience all of Bett is a hopeless task. But you can make the best use of your time by picking priorities beforehand. Our editors share their cheat sheet on the latest news from the Bett 2013 show floor and beyond:
Bett Awards
When is it: The winners will be announced at the Bett Awards dinner on Wednesday 30 January, 2013 at the brand-new Grange Tower Bridge Hotel, Tower Bridge, London. www.bettawards.com.
What is it: The Bett Awards are considered to be the most prestigious in the education sector, and are committed to celebrating a distinctive and diverse digital education resources market that meets the needs of the education system. Every year the judges, comprised of leading education sector stakeholders, look for organisations and products that show a clear understanding of the sector and its needs. Caroline Wright, director of BESA and chair of judging, adds; “Despite schools now realising that they do have strong available budgets, teachers are becoming more shrewd in assessing the aptness of products for their specific needs. Products therefore need to be of the highest standard to ensure that, aside from the initial purchase price, the total cost of ownership is low. This is what the judges have identified; products that offer the highest quality and are fit for purpose. These Bett Award finalists are certainly companies that schools can safely consider to be amongst the best available.”
The Bett Arena
Sugata Mitra When is it: Show floor hours
What is it: A 700-seat amphitheatre in the centre of the show floor designed to connect visitors with internationally renowned experts in the field of learning and technology across the spectrum, who will share their knowledge and insights with Bett visitors. Highlights include Anthony Salcito, VP of Education at Microsoft, Tech&Learning Big 10 honoree Sugata Mitra, and flipped classroom pioneers Aaron Sam and Jonathan Bergmann.
The full impressive speaker list is here: http://bettshow.com/Default.aspx?nid=12&refer=6&id=mainLnk2&id1=ssubLnk5#
Learn Live
When is it: Show floor hours
What is it: Programme of workshop and seminar sessions designed to help attendees gain inspiration and practical guidance around the use of learning technology and new e-learning techniques. Across six purposebuilt theatres at the heart of the show floor, around 20,000 visitors will gain from opportunities to learn more about the transformational power of technology for learning, teaching and training. Session attendance is now free and no longer requires booking. Three strands encompass Learn Live: Learning&Teaching, Leaders, and Buying&Integrating. Click here <http://bettshow.com/Default.aspx?nid=18&refer=20&id=mainLnk2&id1=ssubLnk10>
School Leaders Summit
Michael Levine When is it: 30thJan-31st Jan. Event registration is required. Click here: <https://form.n200com/?s=0narc8edtj4u5&check=1>
What is it: The School Leaders Summit at Bett 2013 offers the senior leadership teams of K-12 educational establishments the opportunity to hear from other education professionals who can help make sense of all these changes. Over 40 speakers including Glenys Stacey, Chief Regulator and Chair, Ofqual, Ken Muir, HM Chief Inspector of Education, Education Scotland, and Michael Levine, Founding Executive Director, The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop.
Technology Training Live
When is it: Show floor hours
What is it: New to Bett 2013, the Technology Training Live suites will give visitors the opportunity to try out the latest classroom software and online lesson tools. Free demonstrations and training sessions will run throughout the show, offering a calm space away from the floor in which visitors can fully evaluate and understand new classroom technology and teaching techniques. Topics include: Learning with iPads, Creating Mobile Apps, STEM strategies.
Read the full list here: http://www.bettshow.com/conference.aspx?Theatre=Theatr10
2013 nasen Leadership conference
When is it: 31st January 2013 @ExCel London, One Western Gateway
What is it: The nasen Leadership Conference 2013 Effective School Leadership = Outstanding Schools will outline how the reforms are moving forward and look at changes in strategic thinking required by school leaders to balance the requirements of proposed new policy with the needs of all pupils. Registration is required through this link <http://www.nasen.org.uk/events-booking/?page=events>
