IT education reseller RM has announced the results of its School Gate Survey, revealing that 70 per cent of UK students believe the key to landing a good job is the ability to use technology, instead of having access to more books and money.
Surveying 11-16 year olds across the country, the aim was to discover how new technology is changing the way that Britain’s young people learn today.
Some 97 per cent of students across the country said they used a computer during the course of their school week, with 62 per cent agreeing that it helps them to learn better.
78 per cent of Britain’s pupils prefer to do their homework on a laptop or computer instead of with a pen and paper.
More pupils in the south have regular access to a laptop or computer at school compared to other regions. Computer access across the whole of Britain was found to be at 68 per cent.
Tim Pearson, chief executive of RM, said: “Learning really has embraced the digital world, and with new technology a crucial part of young people’s lives it is not perhaps so surprising that they respond so positively to learning using ICT.”
The survey also revealed that 99 per cent of UK students have access to a laptop or computer in the home, with 49 per cent owning their own personal laptop.
The largest proportion -100 per cent - of 11-16 year olds having access to a laptop or computer in the home was found in the north-west of England.
“While the number of households owning laptops or PCs is increasing every year, there is still a need for those without access to be given flexible options for joining the digital revolution,” added Pearson.
In response to the survey’s findings, RM has launched its RM Asus minibook, which aims to provide schools with a new style of computing by combining the internet, interactive programmes and working software in a laptop available for students on loan from their school.
Pearson added: “The RM Asus MiniBook provides a flexible and lightweight solution to this. We know that where schools are already using this technology, there is an increase in laptop loan schemes being rolled out where pupils are able to easily take the laptop home with them.”
Further reading:
Becta launches VAR ICT consultancy guide
Pen and paper on the way out, says YouGov survey 25 Feb 2008
Government body kicks off campaign to ensure schools are using technology properly 16 Jan 2008
Channel players welcome government plans for universal home web access for pupils 14 Jan 2008
Anger grows over Building Schools for the Future plan as managers fear they are losing control of IT to suppliers 17 Apr 2008
Three months after reporting Microsoft to the OFT for alleged anti-competitive practices, Becta warns schools against adopting Vista 11 Jan 2008
Intelligent Energy ramps up funding for R&D and partnerships 04 Jul 2008
Focus on energy savings through fuel efficiency for homes and public and commercial buildings 04 Jul 2008
ActionAid accuses G8 of driving more people into poverty by pursing biofuels and cutting agri-aid 04 Jul 2008
More news
Businesses' new found focus on the environment may be welcome, but according to Conrad MacKerron, it is taking attention away from workers' rights issues – and the credibility of the entire green business movement could be at risk 03 Jul 2008
It may be a year old, but as Dell's Jonathan Perry explains, firms looking to get rid of their old IT kit still need to pay attention to the WEEE directive 02 Jul 2008
Telling customers about your environmental targets is all well and good but, as Paul Thomas argues, they are meaningless if you do not know how they are to be achieved 01 Jul 2008 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
