At Christmas, parents across the UK may spend £20m on near one million new iPads and tablet computers for their primary and secondary school-aged children. Since 26 percent of this techno-savvy age group already own an iPad or tablet, they may then own more than three million iPads and tablets between them. When they go back to school in January, many will be taking these devices with them.
However, just one in five (22 per cent) schools permit pupils to connect their iPads and tablets to the school’s own wireless network. This discrepancy suggests that the majority of schools are either not prepared for, or risk missing out on, a tremendous digital learning opportunity, according to an IT firm.
These were the findings of a survey of 900 parents through Mumsnet’s Research Panel, by Wi-Fi network product company Extreme Networks
According to Valerie Thompson of the e-learning foundation6
Spotting the trend for pupils bringing their own devices onto school premises, The Grammar School at Leeds
Mark Pearce, strategic alliance director, Extreme Networks
For a full copy of the research report, visit http://www.enterasys.com/company/literature/extreme-christmas-wishlist-wp.pdf
