GCSE courses to go on digital TV

It is said that one in five homes now get digital TV

Students will be able to use digital TV to help prepare for their GCSEs in six subjects from next year.

The digital resources will not replace but will enhance traditional and tried teaching methods

David Blunkett

The Education Secretary, David Blunkett, said "digital curriculums" in six core subjects would be introduced from September 2002.

The courses, being developed by the BBC and Granada Media at a cost of £42m, will use interactive and 3D materials as well as sound and video.

They are intended to supplement classroom teaching in English, maths, French, science, history and geography, but can also be used by children at home.

The government also plans a "Curriculum OnLine" project that will build on the digital GCSE course materials to create a national online library with video files, newspaper cuttings, historical documents, major artworks and other interactive material.

Students will be able to quiz a £22.5m "Cybrarian", using voice recognition software, to find suitable educational material.

'Enhance not replace teaching'

The digital curriculums will be available from September 2002 and running fully by April 2004.

The BBC's involvement, first announced last September, will be subject to the approval of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

David Blunkett said: "The digital resources will not replace but will enhance traditional and tried teaching methods.

"They will encourage pupils to stretch themselves with new ways of learning, giving pupils access to the latest information, great works of art and video clips of key thinkers and writers.

"The technology also allows teachers to monitor progress more precisely and push pupils on to more challenging topics as soon as they are ready.

Public-private development

"The courses will help children at home as well as at school. Over one in five households now have digital television, 8.6 million households are connected to the web and we are helping those from deprived areas gain access through UK online."

Mr Blunkett added that consultation would also begin on developing a Curriculum OnLine.

A spokesman for the Department for Education said this would allow for "any time, any place learning".

"This scheme would be building on projects we already have in place and we would also see here a public-private partnership. It has great scope."

The proposal flows from a study by NM Rothschild which makes recommendations to promote the use of online content and to achieve fast, broadband internet connectivity for schools.

UK variations

The contracts to be awarded to the BBC and Granada follow separate tests in schools of the material developed by the two organisations last year.

Although commissioned by the Department for Education for England, the BBC said it would ensure that material was available to support the different curricular requirements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"This is an exciting step in bringing the full benefits of digital technology to the classroom and the home," said the joint director of BBC Factual and Learning, Michael Stevenson.

"I believe that the new materials will be a great addition to the resources currently available to teachers and learners.

"The challenge now for the BBC is to work with teachers and the industry to realise the enormous potential of an interactive curriculum."

The BBC has separate plans for a comprehensive freestanding "digital curriculum", delivered by broadband online technology, and covering the curriculum requirements of each of the nations of the UK.