Netbook project given thumbs up by parents

PARENTS have welcomed the idea of giving mini-laptop computers to children to help boost their education.

Seven secondary schools will benefit from the £13-million investment in ICT, which is part of the £91-million Building Schools For The Future (BSF) scheme.

Mellisa Skinner, 33, of Cemetery Road, Scunthorpe, claims giving children netbooks will lead to a fairer education system.

She said: "I think it is a good idea giving all children laptops for school work.

"Not all parents can afford to give their children laptops to help with their school work at home. It will give all children equal opportunities."

Mrs Skinner has three children – Rhyss, 15, Keiran, 13, and Shania- Leigh, nine.

Her eldest two go to Brumby Engineering College, Scunthorpe, and although they will not benefit from the scheme, it should be up and running by the time her daughter attends the school.

She said: "There are so many benefits to having laptops.

"They can pick up their homework, go on to the school website, ask for advice and much more."

Abid Khan, of Smith Street, Crosby, has three children who are not at secondary school yet believes the computers are the way forward.

He said: "I think the laptop idea is great. Technology is the way forward. Our children are the IT generation and we need to make sure our children are given the right tools and equipment to help unlock their potential.

"I am delighted we have been successful with the BSF scheme and I can't wait to see what the new buildings and technology will bring to the area."

This week, a new partnership was formed called Engage North Lincolnshire, made up of North Lincolnshire Council, May Gurney Ltd, MASS Consultants, NPS Consultants and BSF investments, who will work together to transform the schools.

The first £38-million of the £91-million BSF cash will now be invested into building work and ICT facilities at Brumby Engineering College and Melior Community College.

David Sterry, chairman of May Gurney Ltd, said: "The development and education of young people is hugely important for the business community and the wider economy."

Mr Sterry said MASS Consultants would bring a different aspect to the project.

He said: "Their background is in defence, not education, and we felt the best way to equip the schools was to be innovative and different."

Experts have also given the netbook scheme the thumbs up.

Julian Beckton, a learning and teaching co-ordinator at the centre for education, research and development at the University Of Lincoln, said: "Netbooks are very cheap, quite robust and reliable. It will be interesting to see how they got on with the netbooks.

"Schools in Cambridge gave up on having laptops because they were too heavy to carry around, but perhaps these netbooks will be much easier.

"Virtual learning environments are used at the university to help students contact lecturers, have discussion forums and send their essays and receive grades instantly."