The ICT in Practice awards from the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), which reward excellent practice in the use of ICT in teaching, learning and leadership, cover all age ranges from early years to post-16 or community settings. All categories in the awards are open to teachers of any age, and we welcome nominations from Nursery World readers. This is our fourth year, and two new categories have been introduced for learning assistants and teachers new to the profession.
Sure Start minister Catherine Ashton has said, 'Becta's ICT in Practice awards highlight some superb, highly innovative and creative examples of good practice. These teachers are a credit to our profession, and we and they should be justly proud of their achievements.'
The awards are an important way of rewarding and celebrating excellence and providing models of effective practice.
Winners of the 2004 ICT in Practice awards will each receive 2,500, with an additional 2,500 going to their school or organisation.
Runners-up and their institution will receive 500. Many previous award winners have gone on to speak at national conferences and events about how they incorporate ICT into their teaching and how it benefits learners.
Early years winners
In the 2003 awards, the winner of the Innovation and Change category was Gamesley Early Excellence Centre in Derbyshire and the runner-up in the Primary Teaching category was also a practitioner from a pre-school setting, Wingate Community Nursery School in Durham.
Carole Bennett of Gamesley explains their prize-winning work. 'We thread ICT through the curriculum using a variety of equipment and applications to make children's learning interesting and fun. We use metal detectors to promote mathematics and scientific knowledge, video conferencing for language, overhead projectors for creativity and digital cameras to record social events. We made buzzing stepping stones using batteries and buzzers for physical skills.'
She adds, 'Technology is all around us, and on a stroll to the local park we may pass traffic lights, automated telling machines and street lights.
As practitioners we need to give the children as many opportunities as possible to integrate ICT into their education and play.'
New for 2004
Abigail Clements, Becta's education officer overseeing the ICT in Practice awards, says, 'ICT is increasingly making a positive impact in a range of learning environments, and judges from the 2003 awards have reported that learning assistants are often central to the quality of teaching and learning being offered.'
This is why Becta has introduced a new category to reward the contributions of learning assistants. Another new category will recognise and celebrate new teachers - people who demonstrate a willingness to push forward the boundaries and ensure that the full potential of ICT is realised.
National recognition
The prize-giving ceremony for the 2004 awards will take place at BETT, the educational technology show held at London Olympia in January 2004. Winners will also be invited to give a presentation on their work, alongside previous award winners, at a high-profile BETT seminar.
So, if you think of yourself as someone who has really hooked on to the benefits of ICT in the early years, or you know someone who has, why not put in a nomination?
Awards information
* Nominations should be submitted on official Becta entry forms.
* Closing date for nominations is 25 July 2003.
* See the website www.becta.org.uk/practiceawardsfor awards categories and nomination process.
* For more details and an awards pack email practiceawards@ becta.org.uk or phone Becta on 024 7641 6994.
* Shortlisted candidates are visited by judges in September/ October 2003.
* The awards ceremony will be held on 8 January 2004 at the BETT show at London Olympia.
* The publication Showcasing excellence in the 2003 ICT in Practice Awards is available on request or can be downloaded from the Becta website.
* Becta is the Government's leading agency for ICT in education. Becta supports the Government and national organisations in the use and development of ICT to raise standards, widen access, improve skills, and encourage effective management. Becta's ICT advice for teachers website is www.ictadvice.org.uk.
