Improving the use of technology across further education and skills
Understanding and sharing the benefits of using technology within the further education
and skills sector is the cornerstone of the day-long Embracing Technology for Success
conference which takes place today – 2 February 2011.
The event also sees the launch of the transfer of technology support for the sector from
Becta to LSIS combined with the signing of a Concordat between LSIS and JISC
Advance. The Concordat sets out how the two organisations will work together to
ensure coherent support to the sector to maximize the benefits of technology.
The functions transferring to LSIS offer real value and expertise to support learning and
skills professionals. Becta and LSIS have had a close and effective working partnership
and the fact that the work is continuing is a positive testament to that relationship.
Rob Wye, LSIS Chief Executive says: "The Learning and Skills Improvement Service
(LSIS) is pleased to continue the provision of this support. Becta has provided this
service to the sector over recent years, including providing strategic leadership of
technology support, and leading the development of Generator and the Technology
Exemplar Network (TEN) while JISC Advance’s Regional Support Centres, enriched by
the specialised resources of JISC and the JISC Advance services, have been given
direct advice and support to individual colleges and providers.
“We aim to embed effective use of technology across all of LSIS’s services to FE
colleges and training providers so that the benefits of technology in the 21st century can
be truly realised. Our new formal partnership with JISC Advance will enable us to
ensure the legacy of Becta’s work is embedded across JISC Advance’s services and
our two organisations deliver a more joined up package of support that meets the
sectors’ needs in the most cost-effective way”
Guy Lambert, the Managing Director of JISC Advance said “It is a particular priority of
mine to ensure that by working together with other sector bodies in an open and cooperative manner, we maximize the benefits we can bring to learning providers and
provide the best possible value for money. Supporting the sector to deliver excellent
results for learners and the community is what we are here for.”
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Notes to editors:
For media enquiries contact: Gillian Dyer, head of communications, on 0247662 7964
or 07920 710 672
About LSIS
The Learning and Skills Improvement Service is the sector-owned body that aims to
accelerate the drive for excellence in the learning and skills sector, building the sector’s
own capacity to design commission and deliver improvement and strategic change.
Details of its programmes and services can be found at www.lsis.org.uk
LSIS’s Embracing Technology conference provides delegates with the opportunity to
collaborate, develop skills to meet the new opportunities and demands of 21st century
teaching and learning.
This conference showcases the effective use of technology and e-learning and how
these improve the leaner experience as well as focuses on how a whole-organisational
approach can:
- extend - reach new markets
- excite - make learning interesting and enjoyable
- enable - allow differentiation and personalisation and
- Lead to efficiency - lower unit costs of delivery through effective blended
learning.
More details and post-conference resources can be found here
About Becta
Becta is the government agency leading the national drive to ensure the effective and
innovative use of technology throughout learning. Becta will close in spring 2011.
Three of Becta’s learning and skills functions will transfer to LSIS:
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Generator - e maturity tool;
the Technology Exemplar Network; and
the e-leadership online module.
These functions fit with LSIS's current work on e-CPD, e-leadership, the Excellence
Gateway and peer review. The transfer will also help reinforce LSIS’s role as the single
improvement body in the sector.
A fully upgraded, revised and expanded version of Generator will be available for FE
and skills providers early in 2011. Over 740 colleges, providers and others have already
registered, including many since the announcement of Becta’s closure last May.
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About JISC Advance
JISC Advance is the advisory service of JISC. It brings together the collective expertise
of eight established JISC Services: JISC Digital Media, JISC infoNet, JISC Legal,
JISCMail, JISC Netskills, JISC Procureweb, JISC Regional Support Centres (RSCs)
and JISC TechDis.
JISC Advance provides services which span the full extent of topics where ICT can help
learning, teaching and administration, and which respond rapidly to developments both
in technology and in the educational landscape.
Find out more at: www.jiscadvance.ac.uk
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