Schools should take steps to address the digital divide by providing "portable technologies" to be used by children beyond the classroom, Baroness Estelle Morris said on 29 September 2005.
The former education secretary was launching a campaign to bridge the digital divide on behalf of the e-Learning Foundation. The campaign aims to raise awareness across education, in government and the private sector of the impact of the digital divide on young people. Morris said: "Schools already invest in computers for pupils and have more IT equipment than ever before. But children need access to computers both at school and at home. That's whey we need to see an increase in portable technologies that can be used beyond the classroom and at school."
The Equity campaign will aim to ensure that every school is made aware of the "steps it can take to address the digital divide", said Morris. Participating schools will get "digital divide wristbands" to hand out to children and IT suppliers such as Microsoft and Toshiba are promoting the campaign.
Leading educational organisations including the National College for Schools Leadership and the British Education Suppliers Association are also involved in leading the campaign. It was launched at the e-Learning Foundation's annual conference in London.
Quelle: KableNET, 30.09.2005
