Harnessing Technology 2008 [1] was launched to senior leaders in education and skills at the ICT for Education conference [2] in Birmingham following an extensive consultation with education and skills professionals.

Becta, the government body for technology in learning, was tasked with updating the strategy on behalf of the Department for Children Schools and Families, and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

The revised strategy sets out a commitment to ensuring every school, college, university or training provider is 'technology confident', placing particular emphasis on achieving this through engagement with learners and parents and the professional development of teachers and trainers. Becta is now tasked with leading and working with education and skills providers, Government and national partners to ensure this ambitious strategy is delivered by 2014.

Jim Knight, Schools Minister, said:
"We are already one of the leading countries in the world for the use of technology in learning. But the pace of development in technology has been staggering over the last three years – in how it is used by young people, schools, communities and businesses.

"Becta [3]'s Harnessing Technology: Next Generation Learning Strategy published today reflects our huge ambitions for the country. We want every educational institution to harness technology’s potential, every teacher and student to use it confidently. Children and young people must have access to high-quality technology to enhance their studies – be it at home or in school."

Since the strategy for using technology in learning was first published by DfES in 2005, there have been significant developments in both the technology and education sectors. Over 85% of households with families now have access to broadband, compared with only 8% of households five years ago. Three quarters of 11-16 year olds use social networking sites and 90% use MSN or email.

Bill Rammell, Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, said:
"Technology has the potential to transform the lives of students, opening up new worlds and enabling them to study when, where and how they choose to. This is true for any student - the child just starting out at school, the postgraduate doing cutting edge research and the adult upgrading skills in the workplace.

"That is why we want to see every type of educational institution commit to technology and to adapt it for the needs of their students. Indeed, many are already using technology innovatively and imaginatively. But it is not easy - it requires effective leadership, investment and a willingness to experiment. Becta's 'Harnessing Technology' strategy will give teachers, trainers and managers the ideas, advice and support they need."

Stephen Crowne, Becta Chief Executive, said:
"Any contemplation of the future now has to consider the application of technology. The pace of changes in technology is truly staggering and these changes offer new opportunities that must be grasped so that all learners are prepared for this.

"The updated Harnessing Technology Strategy is about technology enabling improvement, not technology for technology's sake. This responds to the changing technology context and the challenge from Government to better meet the needs of children, young people, adult learners and businesses."

Becta has already delivered key activities from the first strategy, including Becta’s self-review framework which has been used by more than half of all schools to gauge where they are now and decide what they need to do to make better use of technology. Becta has just announced [4] the 1,000th award of the ICT Mark [5], the national accreditation for schools achieving high standards in their use of technology.

Stephen Crowne concluded:
"Over the next six years, we all need to work together to change culture and behaviour so that technology can add real value to learning in meeting the needs of all children, young people and adult learners."

More information and download the strategy [6].

About Harnessing Technology: Next Generation Learning
This new cross-sector strategy aims to ensure technology supports improvements to services across the education and skills sector, but the strategy also identifies five particular areas for development:

• Promote a clear learner entitlement working in particular to enable disadvantaged learners to use technology effectively, safely and purposefully
• Put in place universal access to powerful learning tools, content and support for family and informal learning
• Help to secure better teaching by exploiting the benefits of technology to provide professional tools and support for teaching
• Develop a system-wide national digital infrastructure that supports personal ownership and environmental sustainability
• Mobilising leadership at all levels of the system through nationally recognised, innovative technology leadership networks.

Related links to this article:
Becta [7]

Department for Children, Schools and Families [8]