"Our vision is to provide all Essex pupils with the opportunity, regardless of social circumstance, access to ICT to enable them to experience the wonder of learning in the digital age."
Welcome to Essex e-Learning Foundation
The Essex e-Learning Foundation, a registered charity, was launched in 2002 by a committed group of education experts, who had seen first hand the benefits one to one access to laptops and mobile devices could bring to pupils, their schools, families and the community as a whole. Its aim to bridge the digital divide by increasing access to ICT for all children irrespective of their background.
Over the past 8 years the Foundation has allocated grant funding to schools that have proven that they are committed to anytime, anywhere learning. Grants to individuals have also been made where it has been demonstrated that personal access to a mobile learning device would make significant difference to a pupils learning, especially at home.
What's the point?
National research carried out for the Department for Education and Science indicates that full time access to ICT by pupils increases their levels of attainment in national tests; raises boys achievement - particularly in English and raises the standard of work and involvement of disaffected pupils. These findings were also reflected in Essex pilot schemes which took place at Great Bardfield Primary, Noak Bridge Primary, Colne Community College and The Gilberd School during 2003 and 2004. The results of these pilots were extremely positive and indicated increased levels of motivation and educational achievement amongst pupils; greater involvement of parents and carers in the learning process and improved relationships with the school; greater engagement with homework tasks and out of hours learning, and improved levels of IT competence in the community.
What does this mean for Essex schools?
Funding this ambitious project is a major undertaking. Individual schools need help to make their fund-raising efforts work to best effect. As a registered charity the Essex e-Learning Foundation can use tax incentives to help make the most of money raised-it can apply for EU grants or lottery funding and can claim tax back on funds given through parental covenants, payroll giving, and gift aid schemes. Extra funding can be allocated where it is most needed.
What's the point?
All pupils at Essex schools could benefit from a grant from the Essex e-Learning Foundation when funds are available. The Foundation is here to offer advice and guidance on grant applications from the Essex e-Learning Foundation and the national e-Learning Foundation www.e-learningfoundation.com.
For information about grant applications please contact:-
Anna Suggett anna.suggett@ICTinspires.co.uk
All Essex schools are affiliated to the national e-Learning Foundation till April 2011.