Multimedia Computers to Assist Students in Grades 4 Through 6
EDUCATION--Multimedia Computers to Assist Students in Grades 4 Through 6
Students across Nova Scotia will learn valuable new skills thanks to 1,000 new computers the provincial government is putting in classrooms this fall. Today, Oct. 1, Premier John Hamm learned to edit videotape on one of those computers.
The premier was visiting Joseph Giles Elementary School in Dartmouth, where he saw how new classroom technology is helping elementary students gain new skills.
"This is about giving students access to technology and developing essential skills that they'll continue to use throughout their school years and working lives," said Premier Hamm. "We're also preparing our teachers, through professional development, to take a lead in the development of IT skills."
The provincial government is investing $16.2 million over three years in Nova Scotia schools. The funding has been earmarked for computers and accessories, software, professional development for teachers and technical support and installation. Across the province, grades 4 to 6 classrooms will receive 3,600 new multimedia Pentium 4 or Macintosh-equivalent computers by 2003- 04.
Improving student access to computers in schools is a part of the Learning for Life plan announced by Education Minister Jane Purves last week. The Department of Education has set a target of one computer for every five students by the year 2005-06. This compares to a ratio of 1:24 six years ago and 1:9 this year.
The new computers come as a result of the extension of the Information Economy Initiative (IEI). Over 6,200 computers have already been installed in 181 junior high and high schools through the initiative.
Last year 1,273 computers were delivered to schools through this initiative. More accessories, such as printers and video equipment, that help integrate IT in the classroom were ordered this year.
"The Information Economy Initiative extension project and the professional development that has been provided have enabled teachers to use technology to implement the curriculum in new and exciting ways," said Adrienne Blumenthal, vice-principal of Joseph Giles Elementary School and IEI Teacher of the Year for 2001. "Students have been given opportunities to demonstrate their learning through multimedia presentations and have access to a greater wealth of resources through the Internet."
The department will also supply about 3,000 used computers to schools through the Technology Recycling Program this year. This program has put more than 13,000 computers in Nova Scotia classrooms since 1994.
Computers provided by the Information Economy Initiative and the recycling program are in addition to computers supplied to new schools and school renovation projects.