Cutting-edge technology needed in schools, says Education Secretary
DAMIAN HINDS is calling for an “education revolution” to bring cutting-edge technology into classrooms.
New tech, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, is allowing pupils to explore rainforests, steer ships and programme robots during lessons, the Education Secretary has said. But he said support is needed to bring these new ideas into education.
Mr Hinds is urging tech firms at home and abroad – including industry giants such as Apple and Microsoft – to help schools, colleges and universities tackle the issues they face in bringing 21st century technology to pupils and students.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to see technology being used in revolutionary ways,” he said.
“Students are able to explore the rainforest, steer virtual ships or programme robots from their classroom, while teachers are able to access training, share best practice with colleagues and update parents on a pupil’s progress without being taken away from their main focus – teaching.
“Schools, colleges and universities have the power to choose the tech tools which are best for them and their budgets. But they cannot do this alone.”
The Department for Education said there is anecdotal evidence that some schools and colleges are now using state-of-the-art technology, but that the numbers doing so are small.