Bett2020: The scalability problem (part 1)

Bett2020 100

In this series I will be writing about my experiences of Bett2020 – products, impressions – in vignettes of exactly 100 words. Why 100 words? Because I wanted to see whether or not it was possible. I will try where appropriate to provide links to further information.

Bett 2020 Day 3 pic2, by Terry Freedman.JPG

Walking around the Bett Show and looking at products and services, I was reminded (as ever) of the need to keep scalability in mind. I always make a point of asking, having been sold its benefits, what a product costs. The answer is almost inevitably along the lines of  a fixed amount “per pupil”, “per teacher” or “depends on the size of the school”, per year. The fixed amount, often expressed in US dollars by the way, is often a couple of pounds. Not much, but a school of 500 pupils will be paying £1000 per year. That’s not insignificant.

See also: The aggregation problem and The scalability problem (part 2)