Press release

Teachers call for more internet access in the classroom

• Study by ntl:Telewest Business reveals teachers believe the internet helps pupils regardless of ability
• 37% of teachers believe the internet has made a dramatic impact on exam results

29 August 2006 - Almost half of UK teachers (49%) would like to use the internet more than they currently do in lessons, according to a national study published by ntl:Telewest Business today. The study indicates that although 78% of teachers use the internet in class at least once a week, and 42% at least once a day, the positive benefits that it brings to pupils means that teachers feel increased internet access would help pupils even further.

The impact the internet has had in the classroom is wide ranging. 37% of teachers felt the internet had made a dramatic impact on exam results, nearly nine out of 10 felt pupils were more interested in lessons and a majority felt it helped both slow learners (80%) and brighter pupils (73%).

ntl:Telewest Business, which provides broadband services to more than 10,000 schools across the UK, as well as many further and higher educational establishments, has seen an increase in broadband take-up for schools in 2006. With Department for Education and Skills (DfES) guidelines suggesting primary schools should have 2Mb bandwidth and secondary schools 8Mb by the end of the year, almost six out of 10 teachers believe their school has reached those targets. Just 10% felt their school wouldn’t reach these targets, with the remainder unsure.

The main use of the internet in the classroom is for access to online learning (46%) and research (42%), with just 1% using the available bandwidth to collaborate with other schools and businesses.

The main barriers to internet take up were an insufficient number of PCs (59%), a lack of suitable online resources (30%) and a lack of time and specialist equipment such as interactive whiteboards (26%). More than a third of teachers surveyed also felt there was a lack of access to the right ICT skills and training to support e-learning effectively.

“The internet has transformed the way pupils are learning in the class room and the benefits are there for all to see in terms of exam results and interest in lessons.” said Christopher Small, Director of Public Sector at ntl:Telewest Business. “However, with just 1% of teachers using the available bandwidth to collaborate with other schools and local businesses, a trick is being missed.”

Teachers are also increasingly setting homework that relies on the internet, with more than half encouraging online learning, revision or research at home, and nearly eight out of 10 feeling those pupils without internet access at home are at a disadvantage compared to those who do. With 4,789 libraries in the UK offering internet access, however, there should be no barriers to pupils using online resources even if they do not have access to the internet at home.

Small continued: “There is nothing to prevent libraries partnering with local schools to create a learning network to cater for children that do not have the internet at home. The internet is playing such an important role in a child’s education, the creation of a connected community involving schools, libraries and homes can only help to ensure teachers and pupils get the most from the technology that is now available.”

The ntl:Telewest Business Homework Study 2006, polled more than 500 teachers across Great Britain. It was conducted on behalf of ntl:Telewest Business by public research specialist YouGov and was commissioned to look at how educational establishments were using internet technology in the class room.

Key findings of the research included:

• 83% of teachers surveyed recommended specific web sites to pupils to support studies, most notably BBC Revise wise
• 42% of respondents use the internet at least once a day
• 15% of teachers still do not have access to the internet in the class room.

About ntl:Telewest Business

ntl:Telewest Business, part of the UK’s second largest fixed-line telecommunications company, is a leading communications provider to businesses, public sector organisations and service providers in the UK. It delivers a complete portfolio of voice, data and internet solutions nation-wide.

ntl:Telewest Business sales and support teams are located across the UK, in close proximity to our customers, as part of a commitment to deliver superior customer service.

ntl:Telewest Business delivers services over the Group’s £13bn investment  in its state-of-the-art infrastructure giving business customers access to the largest alternative network in the UK.

ntl:Telewest Business is trusted to provide critical communications to high profile customers including: Heathrow's Terminal 5, Birmingham City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.

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