By Natasha Lomas, 28 August 2008 17:21
NEWS
Having web access at home can make the difference between a pupil getting grade A at GCSE and grade D.
The latest UK internet access report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed a clear link between education and online households.
Broadband from A to Z
Click on the links below to find out more...
A is for ADSL
B is for BT
C is for Cable & Wireless
D is for Dial-up
E is for Education
F is for Fibre
G is for Goonhilly
H is for HSDPA
I is for In-flight
J is for Janet
K is for Kingston
L is for Landlines
M is for Murdoch
N is for Next generation
O is for Ofcom
P is for Power lines
Q is for Quad-play
R is for Remote working
S is for Satellite phones
T is for Trains
U is for Unbundling
V is for VoIP
W is for WiMax
X is for Xbox
Y is for YouTube
Z is for Zombies
According to the ONS stats, degree-level educated adults are most likely to have internet access at home, while individuals without any formal qualifications are least likely to be online.
Home web access also appears to support higher grade GCSEs. Eighty-two per cent of individuals with GCE/GCSE A to C grade have the web at home, while just 74 per cent of those with grades D to G live in a wired household. Those with no formal qualifications are least likely to have access to the web (56 per cent).
Becta, the organisation that advises the government on educational IT, says six years of its research have established a strong link between educational attainment and access to technology - especially when it comes to broadband.
Schools that make 'good use' of broadband connectivity show statistically significant improvements in the percentage of pupils gaining more than five A* to C grade GCSEs in the year after broadband is installed.
Becta also claims schools that 'embrace technology' in general see a significant improvement in GCSE results, compared with those that do not.
Educational use of ICT at home by young people also has a positive impact on national tests for maths and English GCSEs results, according to Becta.
For GCSE science, Becta said the average gain from ICT use is 0.56 of a grade. Meanwhile, schools where technology is integrated across the curriculum and wider school life are statistically linked to higher points and percentage A* to C grades at GCSE and also schools have lower absence rates.
It's not just broadband and PCs that can have a positive impact on kids' education. The research also shows the humble interactive whiteboards can help improve pupils' performances in national tests in English, maths and science.
Stephen Crowne, chief executive of Becta, said in a statement: "The evidence is clear; when schools use technology effectively, it can have a direct impact on pupil attainment and results."
Crowne claimed only a fifth of schools are currently "using technology effectively right across the curriculum", adding that there is therefore scope to improve more pupils' grades.
He added: "Schools should make the most of the internet, mobile phones, interactive whiteboards, school radio stations, blogs, podcasts and video conferencing, helping to create a stimulating and engaging environment for their students."
Comments
There are 5 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
it's fiber not fibre
2. drew stephenson
sounds to me like they've established a clear correlation but i don't actually see clear evidence of a link. Maybe those schools that are investing in more IT are those schools with a bigger budget and are paying for better teachers, maybe they have smaller class sizes etc etc.
classic case of looking at convenient data and jumping to a an unverified conclusion.
After all, maybe it's just that those kids with more access to technology are able to plagiarise better...
3. anonymous
No - it's fibre NOT fiber you ignorant cuss
4. anonymous
Not really surprising is it, access to a wealth of information and knowledge at the fingertips and the opportunity to develop new skills at ones own pace and kerching, you have more able and knowledgable pupils.
We've known this since the early days of BECTA when the BBC Micro was being pumped into schools.
Just gobsmacking that the government still 'don't get it' and think big Politburo dictated rebuild the nations schools at an appaling future PFI debt ridden future is the answer.
Pupils perform well when:
1. They have a good teacher - overwhelming contributing reason
2. They are in the right peer group to stretch them intellectulally
3. They have access to resources and opportunity - books, broadband, laboratories, libraries etc
4. They have an education environment that promotes learning.
Back of house at many of the nations more prestegious private schools many are a bit shoddy and in need of repair, but it is the mindset of staff/pupils and parents that make them succeed.
In light of the above, maybe the government should reconsider helping fund Fibre to the Premesis (FTTP) instead of leaving it to the private telecoms companies to find the money.
5. RevisionWorld
The Internet is a great tool that all pupils, teachers and parents need to embrace. Higher speed Internet certainly help this.