BBC goes broadband for online National curriculum support

By Alun Williams

Posted on 10 Jan 2003 at 12:52

The BBC welcomes government approval for putting school curriculum online. To be more precise, interactive learning materials will be available through a BBC 'Digital Curriculum' public service.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Tessa Jowell, has given the go ahead for the new £150m BBC initiative.

'This is an important step forward in the BBC's education strategy,' said BBC Director-General Greg Dyke. 'The combination of our unique educational tradition, our expertise and creativity in digital technology and our ability to reach large numbers of people puts the BBC at the centre of online learning.'

The new Net-based service will feature a 'Virtual Learning Environment' and will include video, interactive games, printable worksheets, text pages and illustrations. Generally speaking, the intention is to provide an online space where students can flexibly navigate the required material.

Under the terms of the plan, teachers will be able to personalise and manage the service for their classroom needs.

Those not mightily pleased with the new initiative will include those already in the business of providing online curriculum support material.

The BBC, however, has guaranteed to commission 50 per cent of content from commercial suppliers. Said Dyke: 'In approving our plan for the Digital Curriculum, the Secretary of State has set tough conditions but ones which we think are workable. They will enable the BBC to build partnerships across the industry to launch a service which will make school curriculum content compelling and exciting for children across the nation.'

Another frustrated group will be those still denied - on a geographical basis - fast broadband Internet access. Only 70 per cent of the proposed material will be available to 'narrowband' dial-up users. You will need broadband to use the entire service in real time online. This will undoubtedly further enrage those Net users unable to access fast Internet access.

Coincidentally, BT has just launched its own BT Learning Centre for helping with homework. It is an 'online learning subscription service for home users'. As well as using other content providers, the system is based around an online research tool already used in UK schools - RM's Living Library. Available from February 2003, the service will cost from £3.99 a month, although some free content will be available.