BECTA 14 to 19 Year Old Research

British Educational Communications and Technology Agency

The British Education Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA) was a government funded body that worked to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning. In 2008 Cambridge Education was commissioned by BECTA to make recommendations on how technology systems could be used to support the 14-19 Diploma.

The 14 – 19 Diploma is a vocational qualification that significantly builds upon the concept of multi-organisational teaching, assessment and examination. Efficient information sharing between schools, further education colleges, private sector workplaces and examing bodies plays an integral role in administering the diplomas’ many lines of learning. This exchange helps support the learner, aggregate achievements and safeguard young people. The purpose of this project was to gain an understanding of the full extend of technology systems involved in supporting the management of information for 14-19 diploma delivery, and to identify and assess the impact of any interoperability issues.

Cambridge Education used a combination of case studies, stakeholder interviews and questionnaire surveys to establish the business processes, systems and applications both currently in use and planned. Greatest focus was placed upon the interfaces and their data sharing efficiency as one of their objectives was to identify issues and opportunities for efficiency gains.

The results of this fact-finding phase were used to highlight areas of weakness and inefficiency. The team identified a lack of interfaces, e.g. system-to-system, to monitor attendance and safeguard children. This is of particular concern as student volumes increase.

Other identified weaknesses included: limited guidance on how to use on-line registration and EDIs for automatic batch transfer, and how to develop local systems and middleware applications; and an absence of codes of practice for the management of education information.

The consultancy team noted the lack of common standards across educational sectors and stressed the importance of the work of the Information Standards Board.

The project team also came across instances of good practice in the development of middleware solutions, such as functional checklists and planning templates, which allow data contained in one database to be accessed through another.

From these findings, Cambridge Education developed recommendations that would reduce risk e.g. inconsistency of codes, and improve efficiency and interoperability. All findings and recommendations were tested and developed through client workshops and presentations. One recommendation was to introduce a code of practice for the management of education information.

All recommendations were taken on board by Becta and the report was well received.

Cambridge Education added value

• Identified organisations who could accelerate adoption of emerging common data standards
• maximised use of teleconferencing during reduce cost and reduce carbon footprints of both BECTA and Cambridge Education
• Identification of critical issues for the delivery of Wave 1.