Program Makes Nova Scotia a World Leader in Education

Nova Scotia announced today the adoption of an innovative Web- based, hands-on learning program that will make the province a world leader in high-school education.

In September, Grade 11 students in schools across Nova Scotia will develop problem-solving, critical thinking and technological abilities in concert with core disciplines such as math, English and biology through the Advanced Studies Program.

"This is the first initiative of its kind in the world," said Premier John Hamm. "We have not found another like it. This program will offer our youth a distinct competitive advantage for competing in the local and global knowledge economy."

The federal/provincial Information Economy Initiative is investing $1.2 million in the project through the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification, which is managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Nova Scotia Economic Development. This commitment to youth, education and capacity-building expands on previous investments in the public school system.

The Information Economy Initiative provides Internet connections, hardware, software, technical support and professional development for schools and communities throughout the province as well as research and development support to universities.

"The Government of Canada is committed to working with partners in order to build a skilled workforce to meet the needs of the 21st century," said Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "Nova Scotia youth have much to contribute, and this program will help to ensure that they have the knowledge, the tools and the innovative environment that will enable them to do so."

"The Advanced Studies Program will enable our bright and talented students to embrace new skills and become lifelong learners," said Education Minister Jane Purves. "This program will enable our public school system to produce graduates with the skills and competencies that our region’s knowledge-based economy needs in order to grow and prosper."

Students will study biology, chemistry, mathematics, English, global geography and computer studies, as well as related Public School Program courses. The Advanced Studies Program uses a hands-on approach to encourage students to develop problem solving skills in a team environment.

Following initial implementation in 2001-02, this program will be offered in schools across the province. It is expected that all schools will have the Advanced Studies Program for Grade 11 and 12 students by 2005.

The Department of Education is having discussions with Dalhousie University about setting a series of examinations for benchmarking program results and offering advanced standing and transfer credits to successful students.

The Advanced Studies Program results should be consistent with outcomes normally expected of students in a first-year university general undergraduate program. Successful students will be eligible for the Nova Scotia Graduation Diploma and Knowledge Economy Certification and may be eligible for advanced standing or transfer credits at universities.

"The world is rapidly changing," said Jack Sullivan, Knowledge House senior vice president, Solutions. "In order to prepare students to reach their full potential, public education has to change with it. The Advanced Studies Program is about engaging students in their own education. They learn by doing. They learn to solve problems, think critically and work in teams. And they learn how to use new technologies to their fullest advantage.

"The students who come through Advanced Studies will be much better prepared to succeed at the post-secondary level and beyond," he said. Mr. Sullivan is an educator and former superintendent in the Nova Scotia school system.

The Advanced Studies Program combines team-driven, hands-on problem-based learning (collaborative problem-based learning), a proven education method used in leading medical and business education programs.

Knowledge House has developed the learning program content. It is also providing the e-learning software platform known as SmarterTeams, which allows and facilitates individual and team work and incorporates technologies such as Internet meetings and e-mail.

A model incorporating collaborative problem-based learning and the SmarterTeams software was first field-tested last year by Grade 10, 11 and 12 students at schools in Parrsboro and Advocate. There, it received enthusiastic reviews.

"We taught each other," said Parrsboro Grade 12 student Robin Roeslen. "We got to see how our classroom learning actually fits into the real world. And it actually put some perspective on why you’re in school."

"The project was designed and constructed so that the students could make progress only if they interacted consistently with each other and helped each other along the way," said Dave Dinaut, principal of the Parrsboro Regional High School. "Our students learned to work with each other in ways we haven''t seen them do it before, and with students in other schools. We''re really pleased about that."