In the keynote speech to exhibition visitors he described ICT as a powerful tool, but one which had served so far to deliver steady rather than transformational change in education. Equipment levels and internet access in schools have risen sharply but classroom practices and improved outcomes have been slower to emerge.

A new impetus would now be brought to the ICT revolution because head teachers are increasingly becoming engaged in multi-dimensional change in the way their schools work - in the way they use space, manage time and the school day, deploy the mix of their staff, and determine financial priorities.

Ralph Tabberer said:

'In every Local Education Authority, head teachers are looking into ways they can remodel their schools, to maintain educational standards and quality, but deploy resources more effectively and efficiently. And the good news for the ICT industry is that head teachers will be bound to consider how better to use new technology to support conventional teaching practices.

'It is the TTA's job to ensure new teachers are properly equipped to take advantage of the new technology available. We are making more resources available to teacher training providers - last year the TTA was able to inject a further £5 million for the purchase of ICT equipment. And I am pleased to announce, with the assistance of the DfES, we are now able to maintain support for e-learning in teacher training.

'An interim report shows how last year's money has been spent. PCs, laptops and hand-held computers were the most popular choices and there was considerable commitment to interactive whiteboards. Almost half of training providers invested in digital cameras, projectors, printers and equipment to support the use of video, CD and DVD.

'The big challenge for us is to get ahead of what schools need today. We have to make sure new teachers are ready for a world where technology helps in assessment, curriculum delivery and school administration. We must give new teachers the confidence to make the best use of their skills in an environment which will soon begin to change much more quickly.'

Notes for editors

The Teacher Training Agency can be found at stand Y40.
BETT 2004, the educational technology show, takes place from 7- 10 January at Olympia, London.
The Teacher Training Agency was established under the Education Act 1994. Its purpose is to raise standards in schools by attracting able and committed people into teaching and by improving the quality of teacher training and induction.