Contact:
Linda Kobel/ Juliann Kaiser
Link Solutions Group
770.420.8280
lkobel@linksg.com
jkaiser@linksg.com

Nearly Half of Interactive Whiteboards in UK Schools and Colleges
Not Used To Full Potential, Suggests New Survey
Software and training issues raise questions on current specifications ¹

(7 April, 2005)- Results of a new survey suggest many schools and colleges aren’t using interactive whiteboards enough – even though teachers and students love them – because the equipment being installed is too hard to learn, set up and operate.

This finding emerges when UK government spending on interactive whiteboards in primary and secondary schools has reached £50 million already and may call into question the suitability of the most popular makes of boards currently being installed.

Forty three per cent of teachers randomly surveyed at BETT, Europe’s largest education technology show, in January 2005 said the interactive whiteboards in their schools or colleges were under-used or only moderately used. Government investment in interactive whiteboards for UK primary and secondary schools started with £25 million committed in September 2003 and then a further £25 million in January 2004. When asked why they thought the whiteboards in their schools or colleges were under-used, 38 per cent of teachers commented on lack of confidence, apprehension about the technology and ‘technophobia’. Twenty nine per cent of teachers talked about issues with training and use, particularly around software.

Yet the survey found teachers are extremely positive about the contribution that interactive whiteboards make in the classroom. Over 90 per cent of the teachers questioned said that working with interactive whiteboards was more effective than using ordinary whiteboards or blackboards. When asked to comment on how interactive whiteboards have enhanced their teaching style, teachers gave a great deal of very positive feedback 2. Only four per cent of respondents preferred static, non-electronic boards, and among the reasons they gave were usability issues which could be addressed by better interactive whiteboard technology.

The things teachers find most time consuming when setting up an interactive whiteboard are learning the software (58 per cent) followed by turning on the projector (23 per cent) and loading the software (9 per cent).

The survey asked teachers what they would include or leave out if they could design their own interactive whiteboard. Equal top for inclusion were a remote control (17 per cent) and handwriting recognition technology (17 per cent), followed by an integrated projector (15 per cent) and a classroom voting system (14 per cent). Thirteen per cent would like to include downloadable lesson plans and nine per cent an online user manual. Twelve per cent wanted to eliminate the need for software to run the board, which only one Becta-approved interactive whiteboard currently offers (PolyVision’s Walk-and-Talk Board).

Several of these vital ‘wish list’ features are not offered by the market-leading interactive whiteboards that UK schools have largely installed – even though other suppliers’ boards do include them. Other desirable features mentioned included built-in speakers/integrated sound, web access, touch screen instead of electronic pens, ability to use any software, technology “built for techno-phobes” and built-in video conferencing.

When asked who was responsible for buying whiteboards, 49 per cent said the head of ICT (formal or informal), followed by head teachers (29 per cent).

The survey was conducted amongst teachers at this year’s leading educational show, BETT. A total of 167 teachers participated, of whom 47 per cent taught in primary schools, 46 per cent in secondary and seven per cent in higher education.

Mike Dunn, chief executive officer of PolyVision, which carried out the survey, said: “The bottom line is that the specification for interactive whiteboards for UK schools may need re-evaluating in the light of these results. There are boards on the market, including ours, that don’t require any significant training, special software and complicated set up – and teachers should have these boards, not ones they are anxious about using or which gather dust. This survey suggests that a vital £21 million of investment is not being used to the full – what an appalling waste.”

______________________________________________________________

1 The body responsible for specifying interactive whiteboards for UK educational establishments is Becta (the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency).

Note to editors:

Teachers’ comments and fuller results from the survey can be obtained from Six Degrees, marcus.edgar@sixdegreespr.com, 01628 480280.

About PolyVision Corporation, a Steelcase Company
PolyVision Corporation enhances the way people learn, work, and communicate visually through a broad portfolio of products. Since 1954, PolyVision has focused on creating products and services that inspire users to be more productive, effective, and creative when collaborating and communicating visually. Whether it is developing the world’s number one selling P³ ceramicsteel™ surface, or creating the industry’s first walk-up-and-use interactive whiteboard, PolyVision has an unparalleled track record of new breakthroughs in the visual communication market. For more information, visit www.polyvision.com.

About Steelcase Inc.
Steelcase Inc., a Fortune 500 company, helps individuals and organisations around the world to work more effectively by providing knowledge, products and services that enable customers and their consultants to create work environments that integrate architecture, furniture and technology. Founded in 1912 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company has led the global office furniture industry in sales every year since 1974. Its product portfolio includes furniture systems, seating, lighting, storage, architectural and technology products, and related products and services. Fiscal 2003 revenue was approximately $2.6 billion. Steelcase Inc. and its subsidiaries have dealers in more than 900 locations, 50 manufacturing facilities in over 40 locations and approximately 16,000 employees around the world. The company's Class A Common Stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol SCS. For more information, visit www.steelcase.com.