Medieval IT is a home-grown problem in schools

Today's young people grow up in households with a much broader range of media options than in the past . Smartphones, computers or laptops, as well as televisions and internet access, are inherently present in all families. A tablet computer is available in 58 percent of families, which represents a significant increase compared to the previous year (2014: 48%). Young people themselves also have a diverse media portfolio. Virtually every 12- to 19-year-old owns a telephone with internet access (98%) . 92 percent have a smartphone, and three-quarters are able to use online services with an internet flat rate. A good three-quarters of teenagers have their own computer or laptop. Almost two-thirds have their own television (57%). A good half of young people have a radio (54%) in their own room, and half of young people own a games console. 47 percent own a digital camera, and now just under a third of young people between the ages of 12 and 19 (29 percent) have their own tablet PC.

According to a survey by the teachers' union VBE, IT equipment in German schools is medieval! This statement needs to be put into perspective: Overall, 77 percent of teachers have access to a work computer, although it's usually a single computer in the staff room. 22 percent have no access, yet 90 percent of teachers use digital materials for their lessons.

Lesson preparation and follow-up work is largely carried out using private devices. There is no work computer. Teachers acquire computer skills themselves, as there is often a lack of funding for IT staff. The VBE (Association of German Teachers and Students) has been calling for years for politicians to invest more money in digital school equipment. This includes basic technology such as Wi-Fi hotspots for mobile internet access and digital learning materials such as Moodle.

According to a survey conducted by the teachers' union, only one percent of all schools have a set of tablet computers or smartphones. 87 percent confirm that there are no digital devices for teaching at all, and certainly no Wi-Fi in the school. This is grossly negligent. The situation is similar with staff, as there is virtually no IT support or supervision by IT specialists.

Bitkom Vice President Achim Berg says: "Students are helping themselves. Their tablets and smartphones often have many times the computing power of our schools' aging computer labs. The gap between private IT equipment and the equipment available in schools is widening . We need a digital agenda for schools." Letting students use their own devices would be the solution to the problem.

The introduction of a digital infrastructure in the form of mobile internet through WLAN hotspots in schools brings many advantages.

• The analogue teaching material is often outdated and teachers can supplement the material with more current information
• Students are significantly more motivated through the use of smartphones, computers and the Internet
• Teachers can better demonstrate connections between content
• The digital classroom allows for more individual attention to individual students
• The cooperation between student and teacher beyond the classroom is encouraged
• Students increase their media literacy and can better assess offers