Research finds many schools 'under-equipped' on ICT

A learning platform is defined as a collection of ICT tools - hardware, software and services - that are designed to support teaching, learning, management and administration.

Ray Barker, director of the British Educational Suppliers Association (Besa), said that, while provision has increased from previous years, "more than 40 per cent of primary and 32 per cent of secondary schools consider themselves under-equipped".

The 11th annual Besa ICT in English Schools report identifies how schools are currently using ICT.  Barker said the research was timely as many schools are beginning to implement revised ICT development plans at the start of the academic year.

The Besa research covers topics such as interactive whiteboard trends, infrastructure provision, internet access and ICT requirements, through to the need for ICT teacher training and views on learning platforms. A total of 764 primary and 562 secondary schools responded to the survey.

Barker said: "One of the key findings of the Besa research is that many schools still do not have a learning platform, or are not using them properly, despite the fact that the government 2010 deadline for learning platforms in all schools is nearing."   

The research also showed that while 40 per cent of primary ICT co-ordinators in 2008 feel that the majority of teachers are very confident using interactive whiteboards, only seven per cent of secondary schools reported the same level of confidence.

A summary of the study findings is available at www.besa.org.uk.