BESA (British Educational Suppliers Association) announces the release of its annual comprehensive ‘ICT in UK State Schools’ research, which explores a range of ICT issues and trends.

Ray Barker, director at BESA comments: “The eleventh annual BESA ‘ICT in English Schools’ research identifies how schools are currently using ICT, which is of particular relevance at the start of the new academic year when many schools begin to implement revised ICT development plans, and also consider their requirements in the lead up to BETT.”

Ray Barker continues: “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.  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 BESA research covers topics including interactive whiteboard trends, infrastructure provision, internet access and ICT requirements, through to the need for ICT teacher training and views on learning platforms. 764 primary and 562 secondary school responses from across the UK were obtained for the research.

Ray Barker said: “Another issue that the BESA research highlights is the variation in teacher confidence when using certain ICT tools. For example, 40 per cent of primary ICT co-ordinators in 2008 feel that the majority of teachers are very confident using interactive whiteboards, compared with only seven per cent of secondary schools reporting the same level of confidence.”

Ray Barker concludes: “This concern is not surprising considering the range of sophisticated technologies with which teachers now have work. Educators are recognising the need for professional development at all levels to ensure success in their classrooms. The big issue is ensuring that schools can afford to release staff to make the most of their investment.”

The ‘BESA ICT in UK State Schools’ publication is free to BESA members, or can be purchased directly from BESA by non-members (Ph: 020 7537 4997).  A summary of the study findings is available free on the BESA website, please visit www.besa.org.uk. BESA publish several annual research papers, including ‘Resources in English Schools’.