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RE: Becta takes Microsoft to the OFT
Talkback I read the story as one where Becta wants Microsoft, but at a price, then silence will rain down on the matter. I also read the Steven Timms article, lots of non-specifics, probably meaning more Windows skills.
[October 22, 2007, 23:54]
Becta has a lot to learn
Leader The news this week that Becta, the government's adviser on the use of IT in schools, has decided to drag Microsoft in front of the Office of Fair Trading, seems like good news for those who claim the software giant has an unfair grip on the...
[October 22, 2007, 18:29]
BETT '99: BECTA chief slams laggard teachers
News Owen Lynch, chief executive of the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA) today slammed the lack of "revolution or evolution" in the way UK teachers are using information and communication technology (ICT).
[January 14, 1999, 16:17]
BECTA - the track record
Blog While open source experts rage at BECTA's new promotional project, let's remember earlier BECTA actions. BECTA is currently being criticised for a program to promote open source in schools which is led by a consultancy with little experience in the...
[June 16, 2008, 11:10]
Becta fails the open source test
Talkback Having been a delegate at the last BECTA conference I can only agree that the view of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) within BECTA is very mixed. I spoke to some who agreed wholeheartedly that there was a very firm place for FOSS within schools.
[March 9, 2006, 8:12]
Becta takes Microsoft to the OFT
News Becta, the UK government's adviser on IT in schools, has taken Microsoft to the Office of Fair Trading over anti-competitive practices — but open-source campaigners say Becta is still effectively promoting Microsoft.
[October 19, 2007, 16:44]
Becta fails the open source test
News Becta, the British Educational Communications and Technology Association, published a report last May which concluded that primary schools could cut computer costs by nearly half if they stopped buying, operating and supporting products from...
[March 7, 2006, 15:35]
Becta forget one thing
Talkback Becta have totally ignored the lessons of the past, namely the fiasco in the 80s when schools taught pupils how to use BBC Micros in a world of IBM PCs! Whether Becta consider Vista or Office 2007 'better' in anyway is immaterial and outside of...
[February 16, 2007, 16:57]
Becta: Why schools should avoid Vista
News Becta, the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency, this week urged schools to avoid deploying Microsoft Vista. There are no must-have features in the product," Becta argued. Becta has explained the reasons behind the unexpected...
[January 12, 2007, 11:20]
Becta takes Microsoft complaint to EC
News Becta, the organisation that advises the UK government on educational IT, has escalated its complaint over the interoperability of Microsoft's products to the European Commission. Monday's announcement has already drawn praise from some of the same...
[May 13, 2008, 14:42]
Becta: Educating Microsoft
News As the government's advisory body for IT in schools, Becta has a challenging role balancing the needs of Westminster, local authorities, schools, teachers and pupils, while negotiating huge contracts with some of the world's biggest suppliers.
[February 1, 2007, 12:26]
Becta touts benefits of ICT for schools
News Managed by the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), the project investigated the role of technology in improving learning in schools and colleges, in terms of academic performance, classroom practice and institutional...
[June 26, 2007, 11:36]
Microsoft dismisses Becta criticism
News Most poorer households are not yet running Office 2007, the agency said, and so deploying it in schools would risk opening up what Becta referred to as a "digital divide", excluding some pupils from reading documents.
[January 10, 2008, 11:28]
The OSC's open letter to Becta
Blog Here's the full text of a very angry letter, sent today to the educational advisory body Becta by Mark Taylor, president of the Open Source Consortium and chief executive of the enterprise support firm Sirius.
[June 13, 2008, 15:10]
Are we talking about the same Becta?
Talkback Every Becta endorsed IT supplier to schools is a Microsoft shop. "We don't recommend specific technologies — we promote the use of technology per se. What sort of nonsense is this? Every single one. I don't see Stephen Lacey actively engaging with...
[October 22, 2007, 9:09]
Becta report highlights schools' IT limitations
News Stephen Crowne, chief executive of Becta, said: "It is clear from this survey that ICT is now firmly on the agenda and schools fully recognise its importance. The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency has said schools are not yet...
[October 15, 2008, 15:41]
Microsoft licensing switch pleases Becta
News Becta, the government body in charge of IT in education, has welcomed a pilot Microsoft licensing programme for schools and has said it is "pleased" about the company's progress on making its products more interoperable.
[September 16, 2008, 18:08]
Number of MPs criticising Becta now 111
Talkback The article mentions the group of 19 MPs who criticised Becta for their frameworks, which go a long way to excluding Open Source and so ensure taxpayers pay more for educational ICT. The number of MPs signing the Early Day Motion has since grown to...
[January 11, 2007, 7:37]
The OSC's open letter to Becta
Blog Comment Becta had already concluded in their own investigation that Open Source was to be encouraged in schools and was looking for a company to begin implementing this, why then would they hand pick a small time company with no previous record in OSS.
[June 16, 2008, 9:22]
Becta gives guidance to schools on biometrics
News British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) chief executive Stephen Crowne underlined that schools must make their own decisions over the systems they employ but need to take account of the sensitivities surrounding the...
[July 24, 2007, 12:30]
