More computers for colleges

Most colleges now provide internet access to students

Money has been earmarked for a continued expansion of information technology in England's further education colleges, including subsidies for lecturers to buy their own computers.

In the past, IT provision has been too variable for too many learners

Education Secretary, Estelle Morris

By this summer all colleges are due to be connected to a learning network - separate from the schools' National Grid for Learning.

Now the Education Secretary, Estelle Morris, has agreed that £84m of the budget for the new Learning and Skills Council, announced in March, will be used to build on improvements in information technology in the sector.

Part of this will go on a scheme to provide subsidies of up to £500 for college staff to buy their own computers. Each centre will get at least £2,500 for this - enough for about five staff.

Consultations are going on about the best way to use the money. A similar scheme for school teachers was heavily oversubscribed, leading to a lot of complaints.

And sixth form teachers were angry that they were excluded from the scheme because they were part of the further education sector.

Access to computers

"In the past, IT provision has been too variable for too many learners, and what has been there, has not always had the best use made of it," Ms Morris said.

A target is to reduce the ratio of PCs to students to 1:5 by 2002.

About 36% of colleges already have one internet-connected PC to every five students. Almost all now automatically grant internet access to students, compared with 71% last year.

"Significant progress has already been achieved in just two years," Ms Morris said.

"The National Learning Network has transformed the FE sector's IT infrastructure and learning environment for over three million students. Staff will also benefit."

Another goal is to develop computer-based learning materials that can be used across networks.

The training of staff is being organised through a "champions" scheme under which two members of staff from every college are trained in the best use of information technology for teaching and learning, then pass this on to their colleagues.