Educational Technology Special Interest Group

Terms of Reference

a. Members of the Group must be full or associate members of BESA and UK based organisations whose primary activities are the publishing of software for education, and the manufacture or distribution of hardware and peripherals to the UK education market.

b. The Group is known as the ‘Educational Technology Special Interest Group’ (EdTech SIG) of BESA.

c. Any member of BESA may make written application to the BESA secretariat to join the Group and such applications will be presented at the next Group meeting. Applicants which can satisfy the Group that they fit the description defined in paragraph a), and by or 75% of the vote at the meeting, shall be admitted to membership of the Group, subject to right of appeal of the Executive Council on refusal. The Council’s decision shall be final

d. The Chair of the Group (or a representative nominated by the Group from amongst its members) will be co-opted to membership of the Executive Council of BESA. The Chair of BESA is, ex officio, a member of the Group and is entitled to attend its meetings.

e. The Group is entitled to call meetings which will be serviced by the BESA secretariat. Any abnormal costs may have to be charged, as decided by the Executive Council.

f. Copies of the minutes of the proceedings of the Group will be submitted to the Executive Council.

g. In the event of the Group deciding to undertake a course of action leading to or becoming liable to any costs or expenditure over and above the provision expressed in paragraph e) above, or as determined by the Executive Council, such expenditure shall be borne by members of the Group.

h. In the event of the Group wishing BESA to undertake a course of action on its behalf such proposed action shall first be approved by the Executive Council.

i. A Chair and Vice-Chair shall be elected each year at the Group’s first meeting following the BESA Annual General Meeting. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be serve for one year, subject to re-election for a second year, two years being the maximum period of continuous service in one office. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be from separate member companies.

j. These provisions will come into effect immediately after approval by the Executive Council which must also approve any future proposals for change.

k. Based on one vote per member, decisions taken at a Group meeting will be simple majority with the Chair having a casting vote.

l. While the Group maintains its own bank account it will elect a Treasurer each year at the Group’s first meeting following the BESA AGM. The purpose of the account is to fund agreed Group activities including the reasonable expenses of officers of the Group as agreed from time to time by the Group. A financial statement will be presented by the Treasurer at each Group meeting. Financial liability may not by incurred which exceeds the assets of the account.

m. Members need to attend a minimum of one meeting per year. If the minimum requirement is not met the company will be asked to leave the group and will have to reapply for membership.

n. EdTech SIG member individual responsibilities include:
– constructively challenging and contributing to the development of the group’s common goals and structures.
– ensuring the group acts in the best interests of the association and other stakeholders and is fully accountable for the services provided.

o. The chair will hold the DG (as company secretary) to account in ensuring that EdTech SIG members are provided with accurate and clear information, as well as facilitating effective contributions from council members to the secretariat.

EdTech SIG members are involved in conceiving, researching, developing, marketing and supporting electronic, software and technology, and learning materials for the UK’s educational market, and increasingly overseas curricula too. They specialise in developing scientific tools, computer applications, software and support materials to deliver professional development packages that encourage the use of ICT across education and training.

Resources, tools, equipment and training provided by members cover all aspects of the learning and teaching journey: from teacher training, through to delivery of learning materials, then to practice experimental and revision, and to high-stakes assessment.

How do I join the EdTech SIG?

Joining the EdTech SIG is free and the process is an email or letter from the company, stating that you want to join the group, confirming that your primary activity is the publishing of software for education, and/or the manufacture or distribution of hardware and peripherals to the UK education market. Also that you are happy to share ideas with the rest of the EdTech Group and are committed to developing and taking the Group forward and finally that you are committed to a level playing field in the market. In addition you need to meet the Group’s Terms of Reference which are available on the website.

Meetings take place approximately three times a year and are usually held at the BESA offices.

Example application letter

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to formally apply to join the EdTech Special Interest Group.

Paragraph confirming that

i) Your primary activity is the publishing of software for education, and/or the manufacture or distribution of hardware and peripherals to the UK education market.

Paragraph confirming that

ii) You are happy to share ideas with the rest of the EdTech Special Interest Group
iii) Committed to developing and taking the Group forward
iv) Committed to a level playing field in the market
v) You can meet the Group’s Terms of Reference which are available on the website.

Yours sincerely,

Next steps

Once your application is completed please email to lois@besa.org.uk. The application will then be either presented at the next meeting or sent electronically to Group members depending on the timescale of when the next meeting is planned.