The BETT Awards partners, Emap Connect, Becta and BESA (The British Educational Suppliers Association) are pleased to announce that online entries for the 12th annual BETT Awards are being accepted from Wednesday 2 June 2009.
The BETT Awards highlights exemplar digital products intended for the education marketplace, and is considered the most esteemed accolade in the industry. The awards run alongside BETT, the world’s largest technology in education event, and winners are seen to have excelled in supporting ICT and ICT provision for nurseries, schools, colleges and special schools alike.
With the continued success of the use of technology in education, this year the organisers are celebrating more award categories than ever, incorporating both products and companies themselves. Secondary, FE and Skills have been combined to form one award; Secondary, FE and Skills Digital Content. As well as old favourites, brand new categories for 2010 include: Digital Collections; Promoting Safer Learning; Learning and Teaching Tools; Digital Devices; and the ICT Service and Support Award.
The BETT Awards 2010 categories are:
*new for 2010
Richard Joslin, exhibitions director at Emap says: “The BETT Awards seeks to reward exceptional resources that help improve learning standards across the UK, as well as on an international level. Last year attracted such a great host of outstanding entries and we certainly hope for more of the same this year to celebrate some of the very best on a fantastic evening when the world of ICT in education is together in London for BETT.”
Ray Barker, Director of BESA comments: “For educational suppliers, winning a BETT Award is a true mark of excellence in ICT. Judged by a comprehensive panel of independent ICT expert practitioners and consultants, the industry holds the awards in high esteem as a means of creating informed consumers and purchasers. Suppliers are offered the opportunity to showcase their most innovative resources which must realistically face the challenges of educators in today’s schools.”
Dr Stephen Lucey, executive director of strategic technologies at Becta adds: “We’re very hopeful that this year’s entries will impress us with an even greater level of innovation which offers real and practical support for teachers and learners alike. Becta will also be interested in how the products are being developed to encourage greater use of technology ‘outside the classroom’ so that products offer flexibility of learning on the go – whether that is in the classroom or at home.”
Stephen Heppell, winner of the BETT 2009 award for Outstanding Achievement Award summarises: “BETT is the premier meeting place for those building 21st Century learning with new technology. This community assembles annually from all around the world to swap ideas. Just being there is electrifying; being honoured with an award was humbling. At an event where there is so much to say, the award left me speechless and proud.”
Judges review the entries based on specific criteria, including design, cost-effectiveness, enabling effective learning, e-safety considerations and supporting learning beyond the classroom.
Award entries can be completed online at www.bettawards.com until the closing date, Monday 22 July, and the shortlist will be published in November. The winners will be announced at a prestigious gala evening event at the London Hilton, Park Lane on the 13 January 2010, the opening day of BETT (13-16 January 2010, Olympia, London, www.bettshow.com). To reserve your table please visit www.bettawards.com.
Notes for Editors
About BETT 2010:
Celebrating its 26th anniversary in 2010, BETT has evolved into the world’s largest technology in education event. With over 30,000 visitors and around 700 educational exhibitors in 2009, BETT continues to support learning together through technology and provide solutions. BETT 2010 will run over four days from Wednesday 13 to Saturday 16 January at Olympia, London. For more information on BETT 2010, please visit: www.bettshow.com.
About Emap
Emap Ltd is a leading business to business media group and the largest UK exhibition organiser with brands in education that include BETT, the BETT Awards, The Education Show and the Scottish Learning Festival.
About Becta
Becta is the government agency leading the national drive to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning. It aims to utilise the benefits of technology to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities, enabling them to achieve their potential.
About BESA
BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, is the trade association representing over 300 educational suppliers in the UK. BESA is at the forefront of discussion on the changing face of education, and will be celebrating this milestone by leading the way on solutions and ideas to overcome challenges in the future of education in the UK.
For press enquiries, please contact Mango Marketing:
Jo Lee: jo.lee@mangomarketing.com
Sue Murray: sue.murray@mangomarketing.com
Carly Wonnacott: carly.wonnacott@mangomarketing.com
BETT PR Hotline: +44 (0) 1932 829 077
Fax: +44 (0) 1932 827 576
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