APPENDIX 23
Letter to the Chairman from Mr Michael
Wills MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for
Education and Employment
As your are aware, my colleague Malcolm Wicks
gave evidence before the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee
on 14 March. He undertook to send written comments on two matters
concerning the compatibility of IT equipment and exchange of best
practice in schools. I am responding as Minister responsible for
learning and technology across education.
The Committee commented on problems experienced
in some secondary schools with the sharing of information between
secondary schools due to the incompatibility of IT "servers"
(reference paragraph 139). I am aware of this difficulty but would
expect that it will be overcome as the National Grid for Learning
(NGfL) is completed.
We have been working to improve IT compatibility
and securing greater access for learners to educational and learning
content since we launched the NGfL in November 1998 and published
technical standards for content developers. These technical standards
are updated from time to time on the Grid itself to give details
of the latest browser and platform specifications that should
be supported.
It is also a requirement in the statutory directions
to the New Opportunities Fund that Information and Communication
Technology projects which they fund are functionally and technically
compatible with the specifications for the NGfL, the Public Library
Network and Ufi. It is, of course, possible for schools to set
up Intranets when they need to keep information within the schools,
and the licence conditions of certain software may require this.
However, we encourage schools to share educational content where
this does not infringe licence conditions, particularly content
which they have developed with public funding.
On the point about exchange of best practice
(reference paragraph 140), I am keenly aware that teachers create
exciting and imaginative teaching materials as a natural part
of their work. I agree that without a means of sharing and exchanging
these materials there is a real risk that teachers waste time
developing resources that already exist. A key development of
Virtual Teacher Centre (VTC), a resource area for teachers within
the NGfL, is opening up the site to teachers to offer them the
opportunity to exchange information, ideas, resources and views
about practice in their classrooms.
The VTC contributory database is a key strand
in the on-going development to reduce the re-invention of the
wheel and to provide a searchable resource which will save teachers
time as it develops. It will be accessible to all teachers through
the VTC and will have a recognisable URL for direct access.
I hope this addresses any outstanding issues.
If the Committee require any further information, Mr Wicks or
I would be happy to provide it.
April 2000
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