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areas, staff rooms and library/resource centres. However, expectations are increasing and such access may now be considered limiting. To use mobile devices in and around the classroom, teachers and pupils need wi-fi access in all areas. Even with additional investments in provision, the number of schools indicating inadequate provision may continue to grow. In primary schools, while 46 per cent feel they are well-resourced, it is the change year on year that is most notable. In 2012, more schools were happy with their wireless provision: 49 per cent felt adequately resourced. There’s a similar trend in secondary schools with 42 per cent stating they are well-resourced in 2013, a decline from 2012 when 46 per cent felt they had adequate wi-fi access. The same increase in expectations is seen in the demand for broadband connectivity. While 64 per cent of schools stated that they felt well- resourced with broadband access, this is a decline from the 67 per cent of schools who were happy with the level of connectivity in 2012.
LEARNING PLATFORMS The definition of a learning platform can differ significantly between providers in terms of how they see the technology working in the classroom and its functionality: a challenge for schools looking to invest. Bearing in mind that all schools should, in theory, be using a learning platform, BESA’s research findings show that 35 per cent of secondary schools don’t feel well-resourced while 45 per cent of primary schools share the same view. In terms of what visitors will be looking for at Bet 2014, it appears that learning platforms could be high on their list. 60 per cent of primary schools and 72 per cent of secondary schools stated that by 2015 they will be well-resourced with the technology and therefore must be looking to re-invest in a range of refined and effective platforms. In summary, it is a very positive time for ICT in schools, with primary spending forecast to increase by 6.3 per cent, and although secondary ICT spending is forecast to grow more slowly, at 2.6 per cent it is still very positive. iE
Caroline Wright is director of BESA W:
www.besa.org.uk BESA will be managing the Bet information point by the main entrance on stand C380. Bet 2014 takes place from 22-25 January 2014 at ExCeL London
A selection of the tablet providers at Bet 2014
✥ Intel’s (stand B35) new 10” Education Tablet is designed specifically for educa- tion and built to meet students' needs. The multi-touch display and e-Reader software enable students to access rich online content. Ultra-portability allows them to take the device to the field to capture data with the built-in camera and analyse it with Intel Education software.
✥ Avantis (stand B86) LearnPad tablets have an inbuilt content management sys- tem, designed exclusively for education. ClassView™ is the software tool within
the LearnPadConnect™ management solution, designed so teachers can see, engage with and manage activity on each LearnPad tablet used in the classroom. The new LearnPad InClass™ also pro- vides a simplified way to manage the day-to-day process of assigning and retrieving classwork on tablet devices.
✥ Casio Electronic Products (stand D70) offer schools mobile hardware with its rugged Android tablets, aimed at users in environments where drop protection and moisture and dust resistance are of benefit.
“When we look at what schools are investing in, it is possibly unsurprising to see a significant shift towards more mobile hardware devices”
A selection of the learning platform providers at Bet 2014
✥ Firefly (stand C221) will be launching its new teacher planner app. The app will enable teachers to access their school’s VLE on an IOS or Android device. Rather than just being a web tool repackaged, the mobile app is designed to support offline use and keep students and parents updated while on the move. Using the app, teachers will be able to set homework, update students on assignments and tests and provide revision material.
✥ InfoMentor (stand B270) calls itself the most comprehensive planning and assessment tool for schools and groups of schools. New for Bett 2014, InfoMentor Home has as a simple, clean and
engaging interface which enables pupils to simplify and organise their life as well as achieve and celebrate goals.
✥ itslearning (stand F198) is used by teachers to create engaging digital teaching materials for their students. A shift towards mobile technology in education is seeing more teachers and students accessing the platform through their mobile devices and tablets. itslearning is undergoing some big changes using responsive website design. This will ensure the platform is adapted to all devices through the device browser, allowing staff and students to access itslearning on non-standardized equipment.
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