Next Generation Learning

A survey commissioned by Becta shows that the majority of parents (95%) think the use of interactive whiteboards and other high tech tools help their children to learn at school.

The survey, carried out by the polling company Populus, also found that 78% of parents think that technology can bring subjects to life and 77% of parents think that technology helps to engage children in difficult subjects.

However Becta found that although almost three quarters of the parents asked thought that their child’s school was keeping up to date with technology (72%), only 20% of schools are using technology to the full. Good technology in schools is vital with research from Becta showing that £694 million worth of productive teacher time would be gained if all schools used technology effectively – the equivalent of employing more than 24,000 new teachers, or a 10% increase in secondary school teaching staff. Becta’s research has also found that some 11 year olds using electronic whiteboards are up to seven months ahead of those who don’t.

Becta is leading the national drive to improve the use of technology in education via its Next Generation Learning Campaign, which is supported by technology guru Johnny Ball. They are doing this by working with industry to ensure that we have the right technology for education in place and by supporting the education sector to make the best use of technology so that every pupil in the UK can benefit from its advantages.

Talking about the campaign, Johnny Ball said: “Technology has improved many aspects of our lives, from booking holidays to checking our bank balances, and it has transformed the way that we keep in touch with family and friends so it makes sense that learners fully benefit from it as well – education needs to catch up.”

To learn more about the campaign see: http://www.nextgenerationlearning.org

Next Generation Learning

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