'Growing Divide' Between Technology in UK Classrooms and Teachers' Abilities

There is a "growing divide" between technology that is available in UK classrooms and teachers' ability to use it, Virgin Media Business has warned.

The firm, which commissioned YouGov to poll 1,009 teaches across Britain, found that more than three-quarters of respondents (76%) are using technology in all or most of their lessons.

But the survey found only 15% of teachers are "totally computer savvy".

VMB warned that the result is that pupils are missing out on the full potential of digital technology despite a quarter of teachers claiming that it improved exam grades by at least one grade.

"There seems to be a growing digital divide between the technology that is available in the classroom and teachers' ability to effectively use it", said Mario Di Mascio, executive sales director at VMB.

"The UK is a world leader in innovation and digital technology drives our economy. We can't take any risk of the next generation not having the skills they need to maintain that advantage."

Half of teachers believe that budget is the most significant barrier to the use of technology in schools but almost a quarter (22%) think that it is "the teachers' abilities to use the technology" that poses the biggest challenge.

The research showed that around 9,000 teachers (2% of respondents) described their level of ability with technology as "pretty clueless", while 40% say they are "good enough to do what I need to".

The study also suggested that 1% of teachers, which equates to around 4,500 teachers nationally, do not have a single computer for pupils in their school.

In a finding that might concern employers, 70% of teachers said they do not tailor learning to digital skills relevant to the workplace, while just 11% said the tech in their schools is "functioning perfectly".

However, it also found that the excuse of "the dog ate my homework" might be history, as over half of teachers (53 %) said their school lets pupils now submit homework by email.

The survey was part of Generation Tech, a campaign to encourage pupils and their teachers to share their experiences of how technology is supporting their learning and helping to shape futures.

The findings comes as coding is being introduced across UK classrooms for the first time this term.