Networked Learning

Schools' Access to Information and Communication Technologies (Stage 3)

Hungary has equipped 20% of the primary schools with computers and internet access; 18% of the primary schools have internet access compared to other countries with 61.4% access. Teachers are required to have IT training to give basic computer in groups. The main reason for the IT training is to use the computers as technology equipment and internet access for information and to update teacher's knowledge. The secondary schools are equipped with 100% internet access and teachers are required to use computers in different subjects as a presentation tool. Hungary implemented the Sulinet program that provides teachers and students with the opportunity to purchase computers and other digital tools without paying 25% VAT. Beside the official and obligatory education system (primary and secondary schools) there are several programs in Hungary that aims to spread digital literacy and culture that gives special IT skills to people in different forms and on different ways [TV programs, forums, courses, popular books, ECDL certification(see in the paragraph Programs of JvN CS) etc.]. 3.1


Enhancing Education with ICTs (Stage 2)

The use of computer programs and internet within the classroom is still a developing trend in Hungary. Most teachers use it at some point for basic uses, but in the primary schools, there really is not a vast array of use. The many functions that a teacher may use the technology for, when it is used, is for teaching aids, distance learning, and programming courses. The problem is that teachers do not receive adequate training and the schools are unable to afford more computers and the internet. Usually only five computers have internet access for each primary school. However, in secondary schools, this is the opposite. Universities and colleges have a vast array of technology at their fingertips as this is a growing area in Hungary. Most Universities supply students with labs and internet access to enhance their education. 3.2

There are many projects that are invested into Hungary's public education. These ICT investments help the school development by monitoring self-evaluation. The outcomes of these projects are for the schools to use them to learn how they can better integrate ICT into different aspects of school life. The self-evaluation systems serve as a country-wide indicator and monitoring system so that decision makers can make better decisions. This also provides researchers with data to use in future ICT systems in public education in Hungary. Either way, these projects that create a better process for evaluators and integration of other ICT systems help in the development of the school. 3.3

Developing the ICT Workforce (Stage 3)

The IT workforce in Hungary is lacking enough IT specialists to solve problems domestically. Hungary's better than average educational system helps in supplying the IT workforce as well. These are slow developments, but there is some discrepency in some of the work that comes out of these schools. Some are highly skilled IT experts, and these are good paying jobs; however, some jobs in Hungary are for foreign employees that are more highly qualified. Hungary is developing more vocational schools to help curb this trend to and to keep Hungary from having a “brain drain.” There is also a large increase in how many ICT related courses are at universities and technical colleges. These processes help in the higher education because of the research and development that goes into these courses also makes Hungary an attractive area for developing new software as the workers can be highly trained due to the advancement of ICT courses and studies within the university system. 3.4

On the other side of the spectrum, there is a strong tradition of having engineering as one if its assets. These engineers are moving towards the ICT sector. Since there are many engineers and highly-qualified employment opportunities in Hungary, there is also an increase an the attractiveness that foreign companies may look at Hungary for. 3.5