Learning in the home is to become more of a reality with the announcement (published in the FT) that technology giants IBM are to collaborate with the Pearson publishing group to deliver e-learning through the television.

TV learning already exists in a basic form - digital TV providers Telewest have a small offering of multiple-choice type quizzes designed to test basic skills, but Pearson plans to draw content from its consumer publishers, which include Dorling Kindersley, Penguin and Viking. Pearson also owns the Financial Times.

Pearson will be trialing the interactive service in the US and some countries in Europe and Asia initially. There are potential problems with the service being taken up properly, because few people have the broadband connections needed for it to work.