Search / 43 posts tagged Becta

I’ve been invited to be part of a Becta project into Open Source Software (OSS). “What is OSS?” I hear you ask. A Google define: open source software search does a reasonable job, but for the layperson something a bit closer to home is needed.In a strange way, using OSS is a bit like buying Fairtrade products.

(I go away for a day or two, and Mark jumps in and helpfully adds to the blog. But Mark, gave you a US telephone number to call on this. I know we’re in the world of Skype and virtual telephony, but schools have traditionally been nervous about dialling an 0870 number – let alone a US one!

British schools set to go Open Source http://www.computing.co.uk – Officially sanctioned open source and free-to-use software could be in use across the UK education system within months after government education agency Becta issued a tender for a four-year framework agreement.

The steam roller of Information Security continues to run down the hill towards education. Becta’s in the driving seat, and they haven’t really started the engine. By the time the new term begins, there will be new guidance on what you should be doing (read my previous posts on this blog).

This is somewhat off-topic and also a personal bug-bear of mine but I hope you will forgive me as it does relate to open source and, in particular, the puzzling problem of source’s inability to make headway in UK schools.

One of my favourite commentators on the Open Source phenomenon is Glyn Moody. And today he has clarified something I had been struggling with for a couple of days now. The story in question, from The Inquirer, is basically this: Becta refused to satisfy a Freedom of Information request made by the

It wasn't a slow news week last week - which must have delighted those people who weren't looking forward to the reaction from publication of the reports on Wednesday into data losses at HMRC, MOD etc. It being a fast news week (is that what a non-slow news week is?) the reports didn't make it onto the front pages of the newspapers.

This is the third e-Learning Stuff Podcast, Mainly Phone Stuff. e-Learning Stuff Podcast, Mainly Phone Stuff Shownotes “Facebook a valid educational tool” - Have a look at the full report. Nokia buys out Symbian. LSN announce MoLeNET Conference. 3G usage rises as prices fall.

The Course Profiles application for Facebook has been praised in a report by Childnet International and funded by Becta, the UK Government body for learning technology. The report's author, Josie Fraser left a message on the forum for Course Profiles to let us know: "I'm delighted to let you know

Yesterday I pointed out that the updated Becta advice appeared to ban schools from removing student data from the school, but that the advice wasn't very clear. Since yesterday, they have updated their advice to schools, and now give much clearer, and much stronger, guidance.