The dust has settled on yet another brilliant BETT show for the year, and your team from Academia have all the gossip on what you may have missed.

Bigger and Better

he world’s most prominent education technology show lived up to its top billing by showcasing the best in innovation and transformation in the classroom with a selection of extravagant stands from key partners of Academia like Microsoft, Adobe, Google and HP.  There was also the popular BETT futures area with lots of new up and coming start-up technology support companies, as well as the new peer-to-peer connect zone for bringing together educators.

The usual mix of keynote and influential speakers took their place on the theatre, school, further education and solutions den stages throughout the week, while the new escape room offered an immersive experience for delegates to interact and explore new hands-on products and solutions.

Academia at BETT
The Schools and FE/HE teams from Academia were in full force at BETT this year, on hand to offer expert one to one advice as well as host a series of educational events.  If you missed us, here is a quick review of what we did:

Meet the Experts (here)
Academia brought their team of education technology experts to BETT to help understand the journey a school or college is on in 2019.  Thanks to the team stationed in the North Gallery Room 6, they were able to conduct a series of one to one technology health checks that covered areas such as Mobile Device Management, Vision and Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Financing, Affordable Technology Refresh, Software Support, Creative Media Ideas and SEND Technology support.

Apple Workshops
Nine Apple Workshops took place in the Gallery room over two days that covered coding, accessibility, technology deployment, sustainability and creation with Apple products.  The hands-on workshops gave delegates the authentic experience of Apple for Education from our distinguished experts.  Tom Able-Green was able to explain the vision and strategic planning behind the deployment of Apple technology, while Paul Hutton displayed the importance of SEND technology support.  Our final workshop was from Simon Pile, Apple Distinguished Educator who led the way with an introduction to the Everyone Can Create resources along with skills session using drawing, video, music and photography.

Solutions Den
The hugely popular Solutions Den sessions provided an opportunity for our Academia experts to talk to a broader audience about technology solutions that worked. The short and practical talks gave tangible takeaways for educators and ICT professionals at every level.  Standing room only for our resident speakers Tom Able-Green and Paul Hutton as both delivered thought-provoking presentations that gave insight and a green light to technology success.

Cheese and Wine Party
BETT would not be BETT without a party or two….  The team from Academia were on hand to host a cheese and wine party for our distinguished guests in the Gallery Room that featured the finest cheeses from these shores with wine and excellent conversation while also offering a bird’s eye view across the BETT arena.

The Educator
The 9th edition of the Educator magazine, the Academia publication created to showcase and educate the latest technology insights, made its debut at the BETT show this year.  The newest edition will be made available as an interactive digital copy that you can download as well.

Social Media
Possibly the most active we have ever been on social media channels as more and more of the teachers and technicians that joined us at BETT were using Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to #FollowTheA and keep in touch with all events via the #Bett2019 hashtag.

The Merchandise
Unquestionably, Academia with some of our distinguished partners, fully delivered on producing the best goodie bag of BETT 2019.  Our branded carrier bags included an umbrella, reusable coffee cup, sweets, notepad, multicoloured pen, post-it notes, a Jamf wireless charger, an HP laptop bag, a Nutkase laptop case, a G-Hold tablet holder, a Microsoft portable charger and your very own copy of the Educator magazine.  Did we win?

Our 10th year at BETT was a huge success, and we thank all those who met with us over the four days.  If you missed us, we are always on call to discuss your next technology deployment project idea. Contact us today on 01992 703 900 or via info@academia.co.uk.