Harnessing Technology Grants

Released 16/09/2009

Schools urged to make the most of funding

The BCS (British Computer Society) is urging schools to claim Government money designed to help pupils benefit from the latest digital technologies.

The beginning of the new academic year means a new raft of schools are now eligible for Harnessing Technology Grants, however, many schools who contact the BCS about enhancing education through digital technology are unsure how to go about claiming the money, says Peter Leavy, a strategic consultant at BCS responsible for its Digital Creator learning resource.

He says: "When we speak to schools about using digital media in education, we find that they do not realise that products like ours are eligible for the grants, and what else these grants can be spent on, and who they need to apply to. However, because the money only gets allocated once a year if schools don't apply now then they can miss out, or the budgets can go unspent."

The grants are available for improving ICT infrastructure, such as upgrading a school's broadband connectivity, to systems that help improve classroom learning - such as whiteboards. It is also available for resources such as Digital Creator, which builds pupils' digital media skills (such as creating and sharing podcasts and digital video) and encourages them to use these across the curriculum. The online BCS digital media tool is suitable for pupils of primary and secondary school age, and leads to a qualification the equivalent of a GCSE Grade B.

Peter suggests that schools that want to take advantage of the grants should contact their local authorities. Schools that already know they want to teach digital media skills to teachers and students and are interested in how the Digital Creator qualification can provide them with all they require can contact him directly and he will advise on how to apply to the relevant authority. Email: peter.leavy@hq.bcs.org.uk.

Source: Public Technology Net

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