New sponsor announced for Teaching Award for Next Generation Learning
For teachers who embrace 21st century learning tools
Students have an appetite for new learning tools
Imaginative and ingenious teachers will be recognised by a new Teaching Award sponsored by Becta, the government agency for technology in learning, called the Becta Award for Next Generation Learning.The Award, which will celebrate its first winners in 2009, will shine a spotlight on teachers who use all kinds of technology as a natural part of their professional toolkit to motivate children and young people in the classroom and beyond.
These teachers will be acutely aware of their pupils’ appetite for technology and the different ways of learning that are best for them. Such awareness could include the use of mobile phone technology, games consoles, handheld computers and social networking tools as well as interactive whiteboards and laptops.
Becta’s chief executive Stephen Crowne welcomed the Award as a key component of the Next Generation Learning campaign which encourages parents, schools and employers to get the most out of technology in education.
He said: ‘Technology has the potential to improve standards and to engage all learners, even those facing the biggest challenges. But it is not an end in itself because computers don’t teach pupils; teachers do, and when they use technology to support learning and to address particular needs they can enrich the learning experience like never before.
‘As well as making lessons more relevant to youngsters for whom these technologies are second nature, these outstanding teachers will also ensure their pupils are the best equipped to be the workforce of tomorrow.
‘Anyone can nominate a teacher for this award and we hope that pupils and parents, as well as education colleagues, will be conscious of adults in schools making a difference in this way. No-one should miss out on the potential for technology to change their life.’
Recent research by Becta into the use of Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, wikis and social networking by pupils aged 11-16, found that more than half of teachers surveyed believed these resources should be used more often in the classroom and that their use led to better engagement in learning and better quality of work from pupils.
Caroline Evans, chief executive of the Teaching Awards, said: ‘We are delighted to have a new sponsor in Becta whose award brings fresh perspectives on what makes a great teacher. We believe that inspirational teachers have a brilliance that rubs off on other teachers as well as inspiring their pupils.
‘The winners of the Becta Award for Next Generation Learning will be no different and it is exciting to be offering them a new platform from which to influence teaching and learning more widely; sharing good practice has always been part of our mission. I can’t wait to meet them.’
Nominations for the Teaching Awards 2009 are now open. If you know a teacher who deserves to be recognised and rewarded through the Becta Award for Next Generation learning go to www.teachingawards.com and make a nomination. It’s a great way to say ‘thank you’.
