The English are good students of Europe in terms of ICT (information and communication technologies for teaching). It is not surprising, since they are considered a priority of educational policies. And to this voluntarism is added the ambition to become one of the leaders in the export of services linked to Tice. Tony Blair launched the slogan “Open to learning, open to business”.

Lessons from English example

The Digital Content Competitiveness Cluster of the Paris Digital Cap region commissioned two reports (read below) during BETT 2008 in January. They will be presented on May 19, 2008 by their authors. The first is an official report of the study trip to BETT 2008 coordinated by Philippe Portelli, director of resources and technologies at Scéren. Analyzes the British policy of Tice and its consequences on its use in education. The second is titled “Rule Britannia?” », written by Alain Chaptal, researcher at LabSic Paris 13. The author critically analyzes the environment for the integration of Tice, taking more particularly the example of IWB (Interactive Write Boards for whiteboards, IWB) and the equivalent of ENT. (digital work environment).

Interactive whiteboards… at IUFM

Ironically, the Ministry of National Education communicated through its Educnet site, during the Internet Festival, about equipping the IUFM with interactive whiteboards and digital whiteboards. The associated company is called Interwrite Learning and is American. By comparison, in England 98% of establishments are equipped with IWB. For his part, Xavier Darcos showed interest, during the closing of the Digital Renaissance conference, in the computers resold at reduced prices (around 100 euros) by companies and administrations that are renewing their computer equipment. Once reconditioned, they could equip primary schools according to the Minister of National Education.

France behind Estonia

According Seventh report of the world economic forum In the ranking of countries in terms of information technology, France is in 21st place, just behind Estonia. England is in 16th place. Northern European countries and the United States are in the lead. This ranking evaluates countries according to 68 criteria: from the availability of risk capital for innovative projects to Internet access in schools, to the long-term importance that the government gives to ICT. According to this report, “the more a country develops and uses new technologies, the more efficient and innovative it is.” Of what act.