Intel to offer free ICT advice to UK schools

Intel launches new ICT initiative in the UK

Intel is partnering with Naace – the ICT association which represents the UK’s education technology community – to launch its new ICT advisory call centre for UK education, a new initiative that aims to further highlight Intel’s position as a leader in the area and create a link of trust for a wide range of educational practitioners to engage with each other and discuss technology and its implications in schools and the curriculum.

The widespread decentralisation of UK government policy towards ICT procuration for schools is offering more choice and freedom. However, schools wanting advice on what is available, what to buy and new trends in curriculum delivery through ICT find themselves with more work on their hands, especially as models of delivery for ICT in schools are changing fast.

With this in mind Intel is working closely with Naace to help deliver the promises that ICT can bring to schools as well as offer support to schools where possible.

Intel has created a website for ICT co-ordinators and IT managers specifically for the UK:www.intel.co.uk/itfored One of the tools available is an online ‘classroom PC builder’ that allows you to see how devices can be deployed into a classroom setting.

The existing education programme offered by Intel covers a wide number of engagements with over 90 governments worldwide, a strong STEM agenda – via www.skoool.com– and a teacher CPD programme called Intel Teach.

As part of this education programme, the newly setup ICT advisory call centre will allow a wide range of educational practitioners – from primary schools through to universities, teachers to professional ICT co-ordinators – to discuss technology and how it might be deployed to help give schools and their students the best possible experience as well as explore new teaching practices based around the idea of 1:1 (one to one) eLearning.

This latest effort is not an attempt at direct sales: Intel respects that schools may already have reseller and local partners who look after their ICT needs. Should your school not already have such relationships in place Intel can help with its extensive channel partnerships.

Intel wants to help schools navigate what is happening in the marketplace, at technical levels, from detailed questions on manageability and security to more basic questions of integration. With its ICT advisory call centre – and the broader education programme – Intel wants to help you make the right choices.

In the coming months Intel will be engaging with Naace on a number of topical issues relevant to ICT in education, opening up the debate for discussion. The first such issue will be on Bring Your Own Device (or BYOD), a topical area right now for schools looking at ways to deliver cost effective solutions for their teachers.