ICT for Education reports on some research by the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA.) The study found that schools see technology such as games consoles and smartphones as playing an important role in primary-aged children’s education. BESA’s research analysed responses from 406 primary schools about ICT use by pupils at school and at home. The results illustrate which technologies schools consider most beneficial to pupils, and which technology pupils enjoy using the most.

While the majority of schools indicated internet access at home and at school are the most beneficial technology for pupils, three quarters also identify home access to educational games consoles like Nintendo DS as being helpful to children’s educational development. Teachers are more likely to prefer pupils having access to a mobile games console over a mobile phone.

Ray Barker, director of BESA comments, “Our research has found that teachers have very different opinions when it comes to the use of mobile phones by primary school aged children. On the one hand, 39% stated that children should not have access out of school to mobile phones, while another 29% of teachers said the ideal situation would be if all pupils had access to a mobile.”

Schools also believe that children’s preference for technology both at home and at school is evolving quickly, mirroring rapid changes in technology. Barker continues: “According to schools, laptops are the most popular computer type amongst children, followed by desktop PCs. However, by 2015, educators feel that this will be replaced by a move towards netbooks and smartphones.”

Educators who participated said that just under half of all pupils prefer shared desktop PCs at present, while a third enjoy sharing full sized laptops. By 2015, educators expect pupils’ preference for desktop PCs and laptops to drop dramatically, with 69% of pupils desiring their own netbooks, and another 13% favouring smartphones. Only 4% of schools use netbooks in ICT suites now.

Most of the schools surveyed said home computers are used for personal revision involving free online and resources paid for by parents. Some 64% of schools issue teacher-directed homework that requires computer access at home. Another third said PCs are used at home for teacher-directed homework linked to a learning platform. Interestingly, only a quarter of schools believe that most pupils use computers for entertainment and social networking exclusively, and not for educational activities too.

Access the original article online at: http://www.ictforeducation.co.uk/English__Primary_research.html