From Wednesday to Saturday this week the ExCel Centre will be home to the Bett Show, the UK’s largest education technology show. Because the best and most innovate new products are exhibiting and featured at the Bett show it is a great opportunity for teachers, ICT coordinators, senior leadership and governors to take stock of their school’s current ICT and see the possibilities available for the school’s future.

Each year Turn IT On runs a free bus to the show, this allows our schools to attend the show without the hassle of travelling into London, we might have some seats left so email ellie.wilding@turniton.co.uk if you would like to join us!

Whether you are coming to the show on the bus with us on Thursday or making your own way there, it is a good idea to have a plan of action ready before you arrive. We have put together a Bett Show survival guide of our top tips to help you make the most of your visit, there is more information on the Bett Show website.

1. Register your attendance

It is free to attend the Bett Show, all you need to do is complete this quick form and register! By registering in advance you will be emailed your free pass so that you can skip the queues and walk straight into the show!

2. Be clear of your school’s strategic plan

Be clear of what you would like to achieve from your visit to the Bett Show before you arrive.  Your Turn IT On school development manager will be able to help your senior leadership team formulate a strategic plan for the future of your school’s ICT. Whether you are looking towards the budget in a couple of months’ or perhaps a new installation in the summer, make sure these plans are at the forefront of your mind to ensure you come away with the information you need.

3. Map out who/what you want to see

Before you head to the show have a look on the Bett website to see a list of exhibitors and products that will be featured at the show – making a note of the stand numbers you wish to visit will help you make the most of the day. Downloading the Bett App is a great way to look through everyone exhibiting and to favourite the stands you want to visit so you don’t leave the day having forgotten to speak to that really important supplier!

Here are some of the stands Turn IT On will be making a beeline for…

• Exa Education: stand B160
• Alpha Digital: stand D380
• Rukus Wireless: Stand G80
• 2Simple Software: stand D260
• Redstore: stand A40
• Apple Education: Stand C180

4. Go Prepared

Make sure you are aware of transport and parking before you head to the show. Wear comfy shoes, bring a bag for giveaways and brochures, and bring cash for food and drinks (many places accept cards but some do not). Also don’t forget something to write notes on – whether this is a tablet, smartphone or pen and paper is up to you!

5. Take the chance to learn something new

Throughout the exhibition there will be a variety of presentations and discussions covering a wide range of topics and hosted by some of the best speakers in the industry. Take a look here to see the seminars on offer and plan your day around a couple of relevant sessions.

Some of Turn IT On’s top picks include…

Wednesday 20^th January

BBC micro:bit: Inspiring a new generation of tech pioneers

Beyond the Textbook: Adaptive engines for learning

Lego Education – Primary

Thursday 21^st January

Giving girls a voice in the digital conversation

Delivering S.T.E.M with tablets

Getting to know you: Showcase sessions from emerging edtech start-ups

Friday 22^nd January

A white knuckle ride in the changing face of primary assessment & the new national curriculum

BBC micro:bit teaching resources with IET

Saturday 23^rd January

A better understanding of the learning brain through “attention adaptivity”

5 things Aardman has learnt about inspiring creativity in kids

Bespoke technology in primary education

10 Ideas to innovate your practice that actually work

Also make sure you check out the program of events at the stands you plan to visit. Most exhibitors will have their own jam packed schedule of speakers and activities! These can be found on the company websites and twitter accounts. Check out Exa Education’s programme here!

6. Chat and Barter

Make the most of the expertise and offers in front of you at the Bett Show, its not often you really get the chance for a face to face conversation with the exhibitor so be prepared with some choice questions. Many of the offers are only available for the duration of the show so make sure you are aware of your school’s budget and have the authority ahead of time so that you can commit and make the most of the good deals!

7. Next year, join us on the Bett bus

If you are a Turn IT On school in Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire, Windsor or Maidenhead you are entitled to travel to the Bett Show on our free Bett Bus. There might still be spaces on the 2016 bus so email ellie.wilding@turniton.co.uk for more information. If you have already sorted your transport for this year you can always join us next year: we send our schools information a couple of months before hand so keep look out for it!

Enjoy the Show!!