'Essential as pen and paper'

Microsoft's Ray Fleming suggests that the higher levels of computer use at home for schoolwork by pupils is a reflection of the limitations on computer use in school.

Young people say computer use is one of their favourite activities

"School use of information technology can be very scheduled - it's often structured around particular lessons," he says.
At home children look for information on the computer in a more informal way, he says.
And he forecasts that this trend for studying at home with a computer will increase.
"There is an increasing blurring between learning-time and leisure-time and so computers in the home are becoming as important as those in the classroom," he says.
The widespread availability of computers at home also raises questions about handling this information.
"There are so many sources of information, that the challenge now is not about finding information but finding the most useful questions," he says.
Earlier this month the government announced a £300m Home Access scheme to give a laptop to 270,000 low income families and free broadband access.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls said that being without the internet at home leaves pupils "at a disadvantage to their peers".
"Computers are no longer a luxury for the few, but are as essential a part of education as books, pens and paper."