Technology in teaching benefits touted by expert

Teaching can be aided heavily with the use of technology, an expert has stated.

According to Ray Barker, director of the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), the internet is a valuable platform for teachers to exploit during lessons.

And while it can appear that pupils are more media savvy, education professionals can take part in one of the many continuous development programmes on offer, he noted.

"The arrival of the internet into everyone's lives has introduced another teacher resource into the learning environment," stated Mr Barker, who is co-organising BETT 2009 for January, which is the world's largest technology in education event.

Teachers can take advantage of 'a wealth of information' that is provided by the internet, which can also generate a 'platform for discussion', he added.

BECTA, the government's lead agency for information and communications technology, recently published a survey of 612 children, half of whom said they used a computer on their own in school during lessons.