UK falling behind in international digital skills race, survey shows

Young people in the UK are falling behind other countries, including the United States, in their proficiency in digital skills, a new study claims.

A survey by Kami found that a lack of digital integration in UK schools was the main reason why UK learners were not being prepared for the workplace. It report said that “schools do not have the technology and teachers aren’t taught the skills to educate students in a way that will prepare them for the types of job they will have in the future”.

The digital classroom platform said that “schools should be jumping on board the Digit Education Express to se their students up with the skills needed for their digital future”, but this was proving difficult.

Kami’s study, which comprised 800 primary and secondary teachers, found that schools were still spending huge amounts of money on paper — more than £484 million a year — which was the financial equivalent of purchasing nearly three million Chromebooks. Teachers were being forced to use traditional resources because of “limited device and software access”. Just over a third of teachers had access to one desktop PC per class but almost a quarter did not, according to the findings.

And while nine out of ten teachers were aware that their students needed to develop and advance their digital skills, just over half — 54% — thought that the levels of technology currently being used in classrooms were not enough to prepare young people for the working world.

Almost 80% of teachers said they had to teach themselves the skills needed to deliver digital learning. This was out of balance with the expectations of students with 78% of young people surveyed wanting more personalised learning, three-quarters calling for more collaboration and 65% demanding more instant feedback.

The report said: “While Covid has driven a swift merge of tech and teaching, one thing remains: the classroom will always be the hub of learning. Digital tech isn’t about replacing the classroom but enhancing learning for all.”