Brussels, 17/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Schoolnet, a network of 30 ministries of education from across European member states, has published the findings of a survey into the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in classrooms. The results of the study “Teaching with technology in 2011” are:
(1) younger teachers (under the age of 25) are the least frequent internet users in schools. This is because they work mostly with pre-school and primary school groups and do not feel the need to use new digital technologies in their work. Often less computer equipment is available in primary schools and less emphasis place on new technologies in school curricula in many countries. Nevertheless, 72% of respondents use the internet every day, regardless of their location or type of connection.
(2) 96% of responding teachers use digital technology in class: 24% of teachers use interactive white boards, 22% virtual learning platforms and 19% services such as Google Maps and Skype in their lessons.
(3) most teachers believe that children's online safety is a responsibility they have to assume: almost 95% consider that educating students about the safe and responsible use of technology is part of their professional duty. Identity theft is the highest rated concern (63% of teachers made this their major worry), followed by their fear of pupils taking photos in class and publishing them online (46%).
Incorporating digital technologies in the classroom has facilitated a new way of teaching and learning in many EU countries. However, in spite of the opportunities that these new technologies offer to teachers and students, recent findings suggest that eSafety threats are increasingly impinging on children's online experiences, making education in new technologies essential. Most teachers recognise that they have an important role to play in this area, school often being the second most common place for children to access the internet. Many consult http://www.teachtoday.eu , a site set up by European Schoolnet to provide teachers with information on responsible and safe ways to use new technologies. It is also a site for teachers to share experience. Unfortunately there are many schools in the surveyed countries that approach the issue of internet safety in a superficial manner, which in turn discourages teachers from advocating eSafety, according to European Schoolnet. (IL/transl.rt)