The Educator Magazine UK May- August 2023 - Magazine - Page 14
Ahead by Bett 2023:
Highlights from the Advisory Board
We had an absolute blast at Ahead by
Bett 2023! A truly global meeting place
for Higher Education, our show in
March attracted over 4,200 educators,
policymakers, and industry
changemakers, with over 75 EdTechs, 70+
speakers and 50 content sessions. Following the show, the Ahead by Bett Advisory
Board members share their highlights
and perspectives on the 2023 show. From
the impact of AI and machine learning
to the power of immersive technology in
the classroom, we’ll uncover the insights
and perspectives of the leading minds in
education technology at the Ahead by
Bett 2023 show.
Alex Denley, Director of Innovation
and Transformation, London South
Bank University. “I had the pleasure of
attending Ahead by Bett 2023, and I was
impressed by the quality of the speakers
and the content presented. The event
was well organised and informative, and
I came away with a wealth of new ideas
and insights. I was able to connect with
other leaders from across the sector,
learn about the latest EdTech trends, and
explore how technology can be used to
improve student outcomes. I was
particularly impressed by the
thought-provoking keynotes and the
engaging workshops. I would highly
recommend Ahead by Bett to any Higher
Education leader who is looking to stay
ahead of the curve in the rapidly
changing world of education.
Here are some specific things that I liked
about Ahead by Bett 2023:
• The focus on innovation.
Ahead by Bett was a great place to learn
about the latest EdTech trends and
innovations. I was particularly
impressed by the number of startups
and small businesses that were
exhibiting at the show.
• The high-quality content. The
conference program was packed with
high-quality presentations and
workshops. I learned a lot about how
to use technology to improve student
outcomes.
• The networking opportunities.
I was able to connect with other Higher
Education leaders from across the
sector at Ahead by Bett. This was a great
opportunity to share ideas and learn
from each other.
• The overall atmosphere. Ahead by Bett
was a positive and inspiring
event. I left feeling energised and
excited about the future of education.
Some of the standout sessions for me
included Dr Carmen Miles talk on ‘
Driving digital learning strategy through
change management’ and
Professor Fridolin Wild’ take on
‘Learning with Augmented Reality’.
If you are a Higher Education leader who
is looking to stay ahead of the curve in
the rapidly changing world of education,
I highly recommend attending Ahead by
Bett 2024. It is an event that you will not
want to miss.
Dr Gill Ferrell, Program Director
1EdTech Europe; Relationship Manager
EUNIS, 1EdTech/EUNIS
“This was my first visit to Bett but it won’t
be my last. I was worried the scale of it
might be a bit overwhelming but the advance information really helped me plan
what I wanted to do and who I wanted
to meet so that I made the most of my
time. In terms of sessions, I focused on the
Ahead by Bett strand. I really liked Rens
van der Vorst’s take on technophilosopy
and I found Paul Leblanc’s talk inspiring
and thought-provoking. Paul’s examples
really brought home to me how changing
our approach to assessment and recognising skills via microcredentials can support equity and widening participation.
I enjoyed exploring the global showcase
area with the different national
delegations. Not only was it a great
opportunity for small suppliers to
showcase but it also gave a strong sense
of how suppliers can collaborate to
create an edtech ecosystem. I had some
great conversations about how open
standards support the growth of a
vibrant and healthy ecosystem for the
benefit of learners and I’m looking forward to continuing these discussions
next year.”
Julie Stone, Consultant, Former Associate Pro Vice Chancellor – External
Affairs, University of Derby
“It has been great to be a member of the
Advisory Board for the Ahead by Bett
aspect of the Bett Show over the last
couple of years, and to watch first-hand
the growing success of both. I feel there
was a real ‘step change’ this year with the
layout and organisation of the Ahead by
Bett event.
The quality of the speakers was excellent,
experts in their field, and it was fantastic
to see the range of speakers involved,
many from outside of the UK, providing a
truly global exchange of ideas. This
international flavour also extended to
attendees and exhibitors at the event
creating a real international buzz and
fusion of shared ideas and perspectives.
The Auditorium on the Wednesday, was
extremely well attended with many
sessions filling the space we had and
with standing room only for some.
The show provides a unique space for
dialogue between key stakeholders to
learn more about Ed Tech and I am sure
the world of education both in the UK and
beyond will have impact as a result. Keep
up the great work.”