Helping schools help students

Schools need guidance from resellers about how to source and finance appropriate technology, writes Philip White

The British Education Training Technology show, which took place earlier this month, is now the largest event of its kind in the world. Running for more than 20 years, the show’s consistent growth reflects the increasing significance of IT within the educational environment - a theme that is now central to the strategic aims of both the government and schools.
With personalised learning now a technological possibility, schools are being encouraged to adopt wide-ranging e-learning strategies.
Despite financial and strategic assistance from the government, it can still be daunting for schools to implement extensive and potentially disruptive IT solutions. IT partners that can ease the path to e-learning and demonstrate an understanding of the issues and practicalities involved should benefit from this fast-growing sector.
Syscap recently organised a seminar about delivering and sustaining a personalised learning environment. Held at a school that has adopted an e-learning programme and attended by representatives from about 50 schools and local education authorities, as well as education experts and opinion formers, the event was a good opportunity to find out just what it takes to make personalised learning a reality.
Schools often have good, clear goals about their expectations for
e-learning, but the administrative and financial side of things can be confusing and time-consuming.
With various grants available from the government and a range of possible finance opportunities, schools appreciate advice from their IT supplier on how to source the most appropriate equipment for their long-term needs and the most sustainable way to finance it.
For resellers, this probably means partnering with a finance provider with specific expertise in education, creating a team of experts that schools can trust.
Access to technology has been shown to improve educational outcomes and the government is committed to increasing IT provision for schools.
As one head teacher said at our recent seminar: “We need to bridge the gap between the way our
students live their lives and the
way they learn. It is about giving children the skills they need for the workplace and their future lives.”
Philip White is chief executive of Syscap.