Welcome to SALTIS

SALTIS is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of learning technology in schools.

Although significant resources have been devoted to ICT over the last ten years, research has consistently shown that the impact on teaching and learning has been disappointing.

We believe that one of the principal barriers to progress has been the failure to create a robust framework for interoperability, which would allow innovative and niche products to take their place in what must necessarily be an integrated software environment in schools.

As a consequence of this lack of interoperability, the market for learning technology has become inflexible and subject to the distorting effect of large, centralised, prescriptive procurements.

SALTIS aims to represent, not the interest of its members, but their expertise. We welcome the participation of anyone who has a contribution to make to an open, evidence-based dialogue, leading to practical proposals to improve interoperability and to support a dynamic, innovative market.

It is not the role of SALTIS, or, we believe, of central government, to take positions on pedagogy. SALTIS will help develop interoperability standards to support any type of pedagogy which commands support in the profession.

SALTIS is not a rich man's club. Membership is free and we will work with appropriate government agencies to ensure that access to interoperability specifications and associated certification services and tools should also, as far as possible, be free. We welcome applications from small organisations as well as large and will work to support a productive synergy between the two. What matters is not who you are, but what you have to contribute.

At the same time, SALTIS will seek to work with other national and international standards bodies to ensure that our work offers maximum possible compatibility in global markets.

The founding of SALTIS offers an exciting opportunity to create the technical infrastructure to support a dynamic market, which will deliver the applications which will transform our education system in the twenty-first century.

If you have something to contribute to this work, please get in touch.

You can join SALTIS either as a member or a partner.

We welcome applications for membership from any company engaged in selling learning technology into UK schools or other institutions delivering compulsory education.

We welcome applications for partnership from organisation otherwise concerned with learning technology in schools (e.g. government, standards agencies, professional, academic and other trade bodies).

Applications for membership should be sent to Mark Rosser at BESA, including the name and brief description of your organisation, and details of a contact person. Your application will be considered at the next members' meeting.

Both membership and partnership are free.

If you are an interested individual or do not want to join SALTIS formally, we still want to hear your views and encourage a wider debate on SALTIS' general aims and on its particular projects.

Please contribute to our open forum.