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Page 28


Teachnology


 


Ann Logan explains how you can simplify the fraught process of buying technology services.






Take the headache out of purchasing 


Technology procurement is a complicated process that can be riddled with pitfalls. For instance, how can you know you are getting the best value for money? How can you be sure your tendering process is fair under the law?


To help schools navigate this, Becta has created the ICT Services Framework Agreement to help you with purchasing. The framework was one of Becta's final acts before it was abolished.


The framework offers:


• a list of approved suppliers who understand schools' needs


• products and services from these suppliers that meet quality standards set by Becta


• a simpler and quicker purchasing route, which complies with EU law on procurement.






Approved suppliers


Only companies that have met Becta's rigorous quality standards are on the framework's list of approved suppliers. These approved suppliers operate in two areas:


1) Providing infrastructure and connectivity services, such as network cabling and wireless networking.


2) Developing integrated technology services, such as learning platforms and school management information systems.






When you use the framework, you don't need to worry about:


• ensuring compliance with EU legislation. The framework is already EU compliant.


• defining contract terms and levels of service. These have been negotiated by Becta.


• establishing that suppliers offer quality and reliability. Suppliers will be monitored by the Department for Education until 2014 to ensure they to give good service.


• repeatedly specifying your requirements. You do this only once, since your request is sent to all suppliers covered by the framework agreement.






Get the guide


The website has a guide, ICT Services Framework: Advice and Guidance, which takes you step by step through the procurement process. It explains how to write invitations to tender and how to evaluate bids. For example, did you know suppliers should present case studies to show how their solution has introduced change management and made a positive impact on learners?


The site also has a guide on how to achieve best value for money. This takes you from the first step of identifying your needs to defining performance measures.


Visit http://localauthorities.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=pf&catcode=ls_pict_11 to find a list of suppliers and contact details. Be quick, as the Becta website will close on 31 January.


 


My ICT favourites


Sally Benwell is an advisory teacher for primary languages at Bristol Education Centre, and a classroom teacher in Years 3/4 and 5/6.


Favourite software


Snacks is a fantastic new French resource which can be used with whole classes on the interactive whiteboard to teach new vocabulary, or for independent learning - developing oracy and literacy through high-quality images and sound files recorded by native speakers.


A CD provides support material. There is a Spanish version coming out shortly which should be just as good.


Available from www.lessonsonaplate.co.uk






Favourite gadget


I use my digital camera all the time, in all subjects, to capture moments and show children evidence of their Eureka moments and as a record of non-written activities and examples of good group and pair working, etc.


For modern foreign languages recordable microphones encourage children to speak clearly and to focus on their pronunciation as well as offering a way of recording their learning digitally.






Favourite websites


www.primarylanguages.org.uk


My favourite website is run by CILT, the National Centre for Languages. It's a one-stop shop for teaching languages to young learners, with a huge amount of information including video clips of good practice, details of publishers and other resources, advice about CPD and links to useful documents.


www.ictgames.com/datechartfrancais.html


For an easy-to-use calendar and weather chart for your classroom, in French, try this site.


www.monjtquotidien.com


French equivalent of Newsround for kids.


 


Which websites, software and gadgets help you most in your professional life? Email your favourites to teacher@nut.org.uk by 24 January and you could see them published in the March/April edition of The Teacher.

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