HP predicts UK schools will spend £200m on mobile tech

published 2 February 2015

HP estimates UK schools will spend 196 million on mobile learning during 2015.

Many schools are taking a wait and see' approach to new technology and are influenced by the early adopters, Gus Schmedlen, VP of Worldwide Education, Printing and Personal Systems at HP, told IT Pro.

The VP made the case as to why schools should make the push to go digital.

"IT is an essential part of learning as it allows pupils to understand concepts such as the sourcing of information, skills such as coding and also prepares them for the workplace," Schmedlen said.

"Additionally for the teacher, IT provides a value-add by attracting students' attention as well as motivating, enhancing and complementing learning."

The use of technology is also expected to change the way pupils are taught - with HP claiming that ongoing assessment will play a crucial role going forward.

"Formative assessment can provide real-time or near-real-time feedback which allows teachers (and schools) to tailor learning interventions and content to individual students. Furthermore, formative assessment allows for in-process modifications, instead of waiting until year-end test results are released," he added.

HP released its latest range of education-based devices at BETT in January. The firm debuted a Pro Tablet 10 EE and the HP Pro Slate 10 EE. Powered by Intel Atom Z3735 processors, the 10in touch screen devices offer schools the choice between deploying Android or Windows 8.1

Khidr Suleman is the Technical Editor at IT Pro, a role he has fulfilled since March 2012. He is responsible for the reviews section on the site - so get in touch if you have a product you think might be of interest to the business world. He also covers the hardware and operating systems beats. Prior to joining IT Pro, Khidr worked as a reporter at Incisive Media. He studied law at the University of Reading and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism and Online Writing at PMA Training.