The national e-strategy - 'The Big Picture'
Several colleagues have seen references to the national e-strategy, and wondered how this relates to the work of Becta, so I will try and paint the big picture.
The e-strategy is one part of a huge reform of education, initiated by the DfES five year strategy, and was initiated with the publication of Harnessing Technology: Transforming Learning & Childrens Services.
To implement the strategy across the education and children services sectors, Michael Stevenson (DfES) established the ‘Technology Group’ in October 2005 to deliver four programmes of work.
Strategic Technologies
E- Maturity
Personalised Content
With all of the above supported by a fourth programme, the ‘Knowledge Architecture’
So, what does all this actually mean?
Strategic Technologies – creation of a national digital infrastructure, the national education network. This includes such technologies as Broadband and Shibboleth, as well as components of learning platforms. Included in this brief is the move to ensure all schools buy educational technology through national framework agreements, and onscreen testing.
Personalised Content – encouraging a vibrant and effective market providing content and design tools which support peronalised learning, and ensuring educators and learners can exploit digital assets. This includes BBC Jam and Curriculum Online.
e-Maturity – All about the journey and how schools can develop their use of technology from concept to maturity. The effective tool for schools is the self review framework.
The ‘Knowledge Architecture’ is the framework if technical standards and interoperability that will enable systems to share information and work together. Integration! This programme also includes an identity management system for education, skills and children’s services. This work is part of a wider stream at DfES involving the Information Standards Board, and the Data Services Group.
Click Here for presentation explaining.
Becta receives funding from the ‘Technology Group’ to deliver the DfES priorities.
Becta is delivering the DfES aims through three main strategies:
Content - encouraging the provision of high-quality content and to support effective access, selection and exploitation of commercial and non-commercial learning materials.
Technical – a national digital infrastructure. This delivers the DfES strategic technologies programme.
Supply – national framework contract which all schools will be expected to use to buy education technology.
Click Here for Becta response to e-Strategy.