Microsoft, Intel and RM Education Join Forces to Bring 1:1 Computing to UK School Children
Poster: SySAdmin
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 4:35:01 AM
Microsoft, Intel and RM Education Join Forces to Bring 1:1 Computing to UK School Children
SANDWELL, England, November 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
- New figures suggest 1:1 computing can generate GBP300,000 in additional
lifetime earnings through improved educational attainment
- Launch of Shape the Future UK aims to bring 1:1 computing to schools across
the country
Microsoft and RM Education, in collaboration with Intel, have joined forces and now
proudly announce the launch of Shape the Future UK. Shape the Future is a global Microsoft
initiative that aims to close the opportunity gap between rich and poor by putting
technology in the hands of every child. From today, government-funded UK schools[1] will
be eligible for the scheme which provides a range of high-quality, affordable, Windows 8
devices with top-flight software pre-installed to students and teachers for their own
personal use. Available exclusively from RM Education, the devices include laptops and
tablets, powered by Intel processors, suited to a range of different users from
manufacturers including RM, Asus and Acer at more than 30% off RRP.
And here's why: new figures from Experian[2] suggest that, for some children, home
access to a computer could generate up to GBP300,000 in additional earnings over their
lifetime; UK-wide this would amount to GBP6.6bn in additional income. There is a large
body of existing data supporting the educational and wider economic benefits of access to
ICT. Research suggests that of all the potential economic benefits derived from digital
inclusion, home access for children delivers the greatest[3] but, until now, there was no
realistic way of enabling it.
Joice Fernandes, Worldwide Leader of the Shape The Future Programme, Microsoft, said,
"Shape the Future has the power to put knowledge in the hands of children. That knowledge
empowers them to shape their own future. I passionately believe that Shape the Future is a
true force for good - as has been proven with our projects around the world. I'm thrilled
that we are now bringing this programme to the UK."
Tim Hatch, Director UK Education, Intel, commented, "Technology in Education is moving
into a new era of mobility and usage, with more and more students continuing their
learning beyond the classroom, especially at home. We at Intel are very excited about this
program and that we feel it will help bridge the accessibility of technology to all
students, with a scheme that is all encompassing and fair. We need our students from
whatever their backgrounds to have that equal start in life and help them become the next
generation of informed, flexible and collaborative employees."
Mike Allen, Managing Director, RM Education explains why the three companies have come
together, "We all know how technology can deliver learning that is more exciting, more
engaging and more effective. Just imagine what we could achieve if every child, regardless
of background, had their own device. It's a great opportunity to close the attainment gap
and to level the playing field. I can't wait to start talking to schools about how they
can take advantage of the scheme."
Shape the Future UK is being launched at Shireland Collegiate Academy in Sandwell, an
outstanding school led by Sir Mark Grundy, Executive Principal, which has provided 1:1
devices for the past four years. Kirsty Tonks, Director of e-Learning at Shireland said,
"Students who have had their own device are remarkably different learners from their
predecessors. Their abilities to learn independently and to push the boundaries of their
learning are both outstanding. We've never seen levels of progress as high as those we've
achieved with students who have had 1:1 devices. It doesn't come without significant
effort on the part of teachers, students and families to make it work but their stunning
results speak for themselves."
To see the range of Shape the Future devices, please visit
http://www.rm.com/shapethefuture
Or follow us on Twitter #UKStFLaunch
Notes to Editors
[1] - To be eligible, schools must fund the purchase of Shape the Future devices with
at least 50% government money.
[*2] Taken from Impact of 1:1 PC Ownership Experian, 2012 (based on
PriceWaterhouseCoopers research).
Extract:
1:1 PC ownership is a key component for driving forward digitisation
- Equipping our children to compete in the global economy
- Driving equality and social mobility
For some people 1:1 PC generates GBP300k in additional earnings. UK-wide this could
amount to GBP6.6bn in increased lifetime earnings.
[3] - PriceWaterhouseCoopers analysis, Champion for Digital Inclusion, The Economic
Case for Digital Inclusion, 2009
Shape the Future UK - How it works
Shape the Future is an innovative, simple and cost effective way to get all students
using 1:1 devices at home and in the classroom. Drawing on citizenship and digital
inclusion programmes, Microsoft(R), RM Education and Intel(R) support the affordability of
this PC and software package, which has already worked successfully for over 21 million
students in 56 countries. This is a unique hardware and software offer - designed to
provide a great value 1:1 programme for all. Likewise, teachers are also eligible for this
scheme.
All devices in the Shape the Future range are designed for education and come packed
with over 20 top educational software titles from Microsoft including essentials for
learning such as Microsoft Office Professional(R) and innovative new software such as
Kodu.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software,
services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About RM Education
RM Education has been helping teachers to teach and learners to learn for nearly 40
years. We develop, manufacture, install and manage hardware, software, IT networks and
services and classroom resources all specially designed for schools to help deliver
inspiring engaging learning.
Schools and local authorities outsource their IT to RM Education and we also provide
systems that help mark exam papers, deliver school performance data and enable access to
learning platforms from home or school. Our customers include schools, colleges and
universities, local government, central government education departments & agencies.
Visit http://www.rm.com/shapethefuture
About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, designs and builds the essential
technologies that serve as the foundation for the world's computing devices. Founded in
1968, the company has developed technologies, products, and initiatives to continually
advance how people work and live.
The company also leads programmes in areas such as education, sustainability and
regional volunteer initiatives.
Intel has over 80,000 employees in 300 locations in 50 countries around the world. In
the UK, Intel is headquartered in Swindon with other smaller sites in London and Winnersh
Triangle.
For fiscal year 2011, Intel reported record revenues of US$ 54.2 billion.
RM Education
CONTACT: For further information please contact: Suzanne Kyle, RM Education: +44(0)7970-050809 / skyle@rm.com
SANDWELL, England, November 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
- New figures suggest 1:1 computing can generate GBP300,000 in additional
lifetime earnings through improved educational attainment
- Launch of Shape the Future UK aims to bring 1:1 computing to schools across
the country
Microsoft and RM Education, in collaboration with Intel, have joined forces and now
proudly announce the launch of Shape the Future UK. Shape the Future is a global Microsoft
initiative that aims to close the opportunity gap between rich and poor by putting
technology in the hands of every child. From today, government-funded UK schools[1] will
be eligible for the scheme which provides a range of high-quality, affordable, Windows 8
devices with top-flight software pre-installed to students and teachers for their own
personal use. Available exclusively from RM Education, the devices include laptops and
tablets, powered by Intel processors, suited to a range of different users from
manufacturers including RM, Asus and Acer at more than 30% off RRP.
And here's why: new figures from Experian[2] suggest that, for some children, home
access to a computer could generate up to GBP300,000 in additional earnings over their
lifetime; UK-wide this would amount to GBP6.6bn in additional income. There is a large
body of existing data supporting the educational and wider economic benefits of access to
ICT. Research suggests that of all the potential economic benefits derived from digital
inclusion, home access for children delivers the greatest[3] but, until now, there was no
realistic way of enabling it.
Joice Fernandes, Worldwide Leader of the Shape The Future Programme, Microsoft, said,
"Shape the Future has the power to put knowledge in the hands of children. That knowledge
empowers them to shape their own future. I passionately believe that Shape the Future is a
true force for good - as has been proven with our projects around the world. I'm thrilled
that we are now bringing this programme to the UK."
Tim Hatch, Director UK Education, Intel, commented, "Technology in Education is moving
into a new era of mobility and usage, with more and more students continuing their
learning beyond the classroom, especially at home. We at Intel are very excited about this
program and that we feel it will help bridge the accessibility of technology to all
students, with a scheme that is all encompassing and fair. We need our students from
whatever their backgrounds to have that equal start in life and help them become the next
generation of informed, flexible and collaborative employees."
Mike Allen, Managing Director, RM Education explains why the three companies have come
together, "We all know how technology can deliver learning that is more exciting, more
engaging and more effective. Just imagine what we could achieve if every child, regardless
of background, had their own device. It's a great opportunity to close the attainment gap
and to level the playing field. I can't wait to start talking to schools about how they
can take advantage of the scheme."
Shape the Future UK is being launched at Shireland Collegiate Academy in Sandwell, an
outstanding school led by Sir Mark Grundy, Executive Principal, which has provided 1:1
devices for the past four years. Kirsty Tonks, Director of e-Learning at Shireland said,
"Students who have had their own device are remarkably different learners from their
predecessors. Their abilities to learn independently and to push the boundaries of their
learning are both outstanding. We've never seen levels of progress as high as those we've
achieved with students who have had 1:1 devices. It doesn't come without significant
effort on the part of teachers, students and families to make it work but their stunning
results speak for themselves."
To see the range of Shape the Future devices, please visit
http://www.rm.com/shapethefuture
Or follow us on Twitter #UKStFLaunch
Notes to Editors
[1] - To be eligible, schools must fund the purchase of Shape the Future devices with
at least 50% government money.
[*2] Taken from Impact of 1:1 PC Ownership Experian, 2012 (based on
PriceWaterhouseCoopers research).
Extract:
1:1 PC ownership is a key component for driving forward digitisation
- Equipping our children to compete in the global economy
- Driving equality and social mobility
For some people 1:1 PC generates GBP300k in additional earnings. UK-wide this could
amount to GBP6.6bn in increased lifetime earnings.
[3] - PriceWaterhouseCoopers analysis, Champion for Digital Inclusion, The Economic
Case for Digital Inclusion, 2009
Shape the Future UK - How it works
Shape the Future is an innovative, simple and cost effective way to get all students
using 1:1 devices at home and in the classroom. Drawing on citizenship and digital
inclusion programmes, Microsoft(R), RM Education and Intel(R) support the affordability of
this PC and software package, which has already worked successfully for over 21 million
students in 56 countries. This is a unique hardware and software offer - designed to
provide a great value 1:1 programme for all. Likewise, teachers are also eligible for this
scheme.
All devices in the Shape the Future range are designed for education and come packed
with over 20 top educational software titles from Microsoft including essentials for
learning such as Microsoft Office Professional(R) and innovative new software such as
Kodu.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software,
services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About RM Education
RM Education has been helping teachers to teach and learners to learn for nearly 40
years. We develop, manufacture, install and manage hardware, software, IT networks and
services and classroom resources all specially designed for schools to help deliver
inspiring engaging learning.
Schools and local authorities outsource their IT to RM Education and we also provide
systems that help mark exam papers, deliver school performance data and enable access to
learning platforms from home or school. Our customers include schools, colleges and
universities, local government, central government education departments & agencies.
Visit http://www.rm.com/shapethefuture
About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, designs and builds the essential
technologies that serve as the foundation for the world's computing devices. Founded in
1968, the company has developed technologies, products, and initiatives to continually
advance how people work and live.
The company also leads programmes in areas such as education, sustainability and
regional volunteer initiatives.
Intel has over 80,000 employees in 300 locations in 50 countries around the world. In
the UK, Intel is headquartered in Swindon with other smaller sites in London and Winnersh
Triangle.
For fiscal year 2011, Intel reported record revenues of US$ 54.2 billion.
RM Education
CONTACT: For further information please contact: Suzanne Kyle, RM Education: +44(0)7970-050809 / skyle@rm.com