Eight pupils from across the UK have been selected to sit on the UK’s first Digital Youth Council to help shape the debate on how technology is being used in the classroom.
The panel of tech-savvy students aged 9-17 have been selected by Virgin Media Business, which has set up the Council. They will come together with influencers and representatives of the Department for Education to share their experiences and debate how technology can be used to shape their futures.
The Digital Youth Council is part of ‘Generation Tech’ – a wider state-of-the-nation review into the way technology is used in education. Led by Sir Richard Branson, the campaign gives teachers and pupils the opportunity to have their say on the ongoing impact technology is on the education of pupils, and what the future holds.
The campaign has piqued the interest of key influencers in the world of technology in schools, including Shadow Secretary of State for Education Tristram Hunt, NESTA’s Oliver Quinlan, Dr Maren Deepwell of the ALT and Claire Sutcliffe, CEO and co-founder of Code Club, all of which are featured on the Generation Tech website.
Sir Richard said: “As children, we barely uttered the word ‘technology’, and certainly never had to face the challenges created by a digitised world. But we also never experienced the opportunities it brings to today’s younger generation. We need to embrace technology at every stage and make it a force for empowerment as we educate the next generation.”
Generation Tech is one of a number of initiatives from Virgin Media Business geared towards staying up to date with the needs of the education sector and the challenges they face. Earlier this year, TRUSTnet was launched, a game-changing package of digital services and content, offered through London Grid for Learning Trust and powered by Virgin Media Business, which will simplify access to the latest technology for schools.
Join in the Big Digital Question at: www.generationtechvmb.co.uk.
