BETT
Encyclopedia
BETT or The BETT show is an annual trade show in the United Kingdom
that showcases the use of information technology
in education
. Founded in 1985, it has expanded to fill both the National and Grand Halls at the Olympia exhibition centre
in London
, England
. BETT celebrated its 25th anniversary at the 2009 show.
The show was first held in January 1985 as the “Hi Technology and Computers in Education Exhibition” at the Barbican Centre
, central London, in association with the British Educational Equipment Association. As the use of technology in education increased, so did the show, and had outgrown the Barbican by 1993, when the move to Olympia was made.
The show has also expanded from being a purely technology show, and whilst there are stands for companies ranging from multinationals Microsoft
and Apple Inc. to small single-product firms, others attending include the Department for Children, Schools and Families
, and teaching unions such as the NASUWT and National Union of Teachers
.
BETT attracts 29,249 unique visitors from over 100 different countries including 6,368 leaders, 6,463 Practitioners and 7,906 ICT Frontline staff with an average ICT annual budget of £46,238. 700 technology companies who market to schools, colleges and education establishments exhibit at the show.
A large number of seminars from well-known providers are held at BETT, which offer training (Continuing Professional Development) opportunities for education professionals.
Criticised in the past for perhaps marginalising teachers due to the increasing business nature of the show, the producers (EMAP
) have introduced a number of teacher friendly events such as TeachMeet
to tackle this.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
that showcases the use of information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
in education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. Founded in 1985, it has expanded to fill both the National and Grand Halls at the Olympia exhibition centre
Olympia, London
Olympia is an exhibition centre and conference centre in West Kensington, on the boundary between The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham, London, W14 8UX, England. It opened in the 19th century and was originally known as the National Agricultural Hall.Opened in 1886,...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. BETT celebrated its 25th anniversary at the 2009 show.
The show was first held in January 1985 as the “Hi Technology and Computers in Education Exhibition” at the Barbican Centre
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Located in the City of London, England, the Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory...
, central London, in association with the British Educational Equipment Association. As the use of technology in education increased, so did the show, and had outgrown the Barbican by 1993, when the move to Olympia was made.
The show has also expanded from being a purely technology show, and whilst there are stands for companies ranging from multinationals Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
and Apple Inc. to small single-product firms, others attending include the Department for Children, Schools and Families
Department for Children, Schools and Families
The Department for Children, Schools and Families was a department of the UK government, between 2007 and 2010, responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including child protection and education...
, and teaching unions such as the NASUWT and National Union of Teachers
National Union of Teachers
The National Union of Teachers is a trade union for school teachers in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. It is a member of the Trades Union Congress...
.
BETT attracts 29,249 unique visitors from over 100 different countries including 6,368 leaders, 6,463 Practitioners and 7,906 ICT Frontline staff with an average ICT annual budget of £46,238. 700 technology companies who market to schools, colleges and education establishments exhibit at the show.
A large number of seminars from well-known providers are held at BETT, which offer training (Continuing Professional Development) opportunities for education professionals.
Criticised in the past for perhaps marginalising teachers due to the increasing business nature of the show, the producers (EMAP
EMAP
Emap Limited is a British media company, specialising in the production of business-to-business magazines, and the organisation of business events and conferences...
) have introduced a number of teacher friendly events such as TeachMeet
TeachMeet
A TeachMeet is an organised but informal meeting for teachers to share good practice, practical innovations and personal insights in teaching with technology...
to tackle this.
Exhibitors
- Synergy School RadioSynergy School RadioSynergy School Radio is a digital integrated radio studio built and designed by Clyde Broadcast. Synergy is the UK's leading digital radio studio currently used in education in the UK....
- MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
- DellDellDell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
- RMRM plcRM plc is a British company specialising in providing products and services to schools, colleges, universities and government education departments & agencies...
- Adobe SystemsAdobe SystemsAdobe Systems Incorporated is an American computer software company founded in 1982 and headquartered in San Jose, California, United States...
- Channel 4Channel 4Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
- BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
- o2O2O2, o2, O2, or O2 may refer to:- Companies :* O2 Global Network, an international network for sustainable design* O2TV, a Russian independent socially-political TV channel...
- emapEMAPEmap Limited is a British media company, specialising in the production of business-to-business magazines, and the organisation of business events and conferences...
- Smart TechnologiesSMART TechnologiesSmart Technologies is a publicly traded company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1987, Smart Technologies is best known as the developer of the Smart Board interactive whiteboard...
- LJ CreateLJ CreateLJ Create Ltd is a UK based company that produces interactive educational technology for the global market. Currentlythe company operates in over 60 countries.-About LJ Create:...
- Promethean LtdPromethean LtdPromethean World plc is based in Blackburn in Lancashire. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE SmallCap Index...
- Norman ASANorman ASANorman ASA founded in on October 1, 1984, is active within the field of data security, with products for antivirus , personal firewall, antispam, encryption, antispyware, and parental control...
- it's learningIt's learningitslearning is an internet-based VLE that is made for all levels of education all around the world. The website incorporates features such as a help center, web tutorials, mobile login and many other features designed to make working collaboratively and presenting work easy.According to its own...
- Spire Education