Award-winning I.T. Teachers Talk

Fourteen award-winning Nova Scotia teachers shared ideas on making technology work in the classroom today, Oct. 24.

The teachers are recipients of $1,500 professional development grants awarded by the Department of Education to recognize leadership in the use of information technology in the classroom.

"These grant recipients are guiding their colleagues and students to make the best use of technology in our schools," said Education Minister Jane Purves. "By developing the I.T. skills of our teachers and students, we're ensuring that the computer becomes a more effective learning tool."

At the gathering in Halifax, teachers discussed success stories and classroom strategies.

Adrienne Blumenthal, vice principal at Joseph Giles Elementary in Dartmouth, used the professional development grant to purchase a laptop computer and software to help teach students and fellow teachers new methods of integrating technology into the curriculum.

"I have been able to design presentations and handouts on a variety of software programs and topics for several different grade and ability levels," said Ms. Blumenthal. "It has enabled me to teach a lesson to a Grade 6 class using Inspiration, a program that was not in the school at the time. Following the presentation, teachers were interested in obtaining the program for their school and learning more about uses for the program within the curriculum."

The grants are a part of Nova Scotia's Information Economy Initiative which began in 1998. Funding for scholarships came from KnowledgeHouse, which was a supplier of technology for the initiative. The company provided funding for 21 professional development grants over three years. The grant was established to be awarded to a teacher in each of the seven school boards in the province in January 2001, 2002 and 2003.

The Information Economy Initiative is a federal/provincial project that has co-ordinated the investment of more than $90 million in Internet connections, hardware, software, technical support and professional development for schools, universities and communities across Nova Scotia.

NOTE: The workshop takes place until 5 p.m. today, Oct. 24, at 3770 Kempt Rd., Halifax. Michael Jeffrey, director of Learning Resources and Technology, is the on-site contact.

The following is a list of recipients of IEI Professional Development Grants for Teachers.

2001-02

• Michael Ouellette, Coldbrook and District,
  Annapolis Valley Regional School Board
• Mark Hingley, Hants North,
  Chignecto-Central Regional School Board
• Alice Lawson, Jubilee Elementary,
  Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board
• Shelley LeBlanc, Ecole Beaubassin,
  Conseil scolaire acadien provincial
• Beatrice Fourgnard, Sir Robert Borden,
  Halifax Regional School Board
• Douglas Begg, Strait Area Regional Education Centre,
  Strait Regional School Board
• Bernard Van Doninck, Forest Heights,
  Southwest Regional School Board

2002-03

• David Jones, Central Kings,
  Annapolis Valley Regional School Board
• Stephen Turner, Westville High,
  Chignecto-Central Regional School Board
• Lowell Cormier, Mount Carmel Elementary,
  Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board
• Monette Boudreau, Ecole Saint-Albert,
  Conseil scolaire acadien provincial
• Adrienne Blumenthal, Joseph Giles Elementary,
  Halifax Regional School Board
• Colleen MacLeod, Bayview Education Centre,
  Strait Regional School Board
• Warren Dobson, Mill Village Consolidated,
  Southwest Regional School Board