Page 4342 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 22 September 2010
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us have used about not being able to remember what our homework was will no longer be possible. The old “the dog ate my homework” excuse will be even less effective in a connected learning community. With CLC, students and parents will be able to access one of the finest broadband enabled systems in the world.
When fully rolled out, CLC will allow students to use video links to practise speaking another language with a student at another school. It will allow them to download and play back podcasts and even complete their maths and other homework online. It is a multitasking learning environment for students, teachers and parents and one that will clearly encourage greater collaboration between students, teachers and schools.
One example of the current use of the CLC environment is at Amaroo school, whose year 6 students are preparing to go to the new Gungahlin college built by the ACT Labor government. The principal of Gungahlin, Gai Beecher, is already in communication with students at Amaroo, from the primary school through to the high school, via broadband subject choices, seeking student input on issues such as how the school will be run. The use of the CLC is easing the transition of students to the new college and is empowering students at the same time. It is indeed a great example of the practical benefits broadband can have on education.
But any form of virtual learning comes at a cost. Total investment to date on the fibre network for ACT primary schools is $7.7 million. This is on top of the original investment of $6 million from the smart schools, smart students program that provided fibre to all ACT public high schools and colleges.
I think it is important to note that the ACT is the first jurisdiction nationally to provide this capability to all of its public schools. At one gigabyte per second, the speed achieved on our network is world leading for education and is also a speed that will allow ACT students to take full advantage of Labor’s national broadband network.
But as I say, rather than being a substitute for quality teaching, the CLC is actually an opportunity for our teachers to further hone or gain new skills. An important component of the rollout of this technology is the time and money we are committing to the professional development of teachers using online tools delivered by broadband. Nearly half a million dollars is being invested in the first 12 months of the implementation of the connected learning community.
A professional learning program for teachers will be delivered over several days a term, with a target of 12 schools per term. There will be regular after-school CLC workshops for all teachers and opportunities for teachers to undertake further professional training. There is already an ICT master class program, a five-day program on ICT integration into the curriculum, which includes podcasting, digital content, constructing online learning and interactive whiteboards. The courses are currently operating two per term.
Embedded within the ICT master class program is an optional certificate II in ICT provided through CIT. The program saw 28 teachers graduate with a certificate II in IT in May of this year. By combining professional development and school access to broadband, I am sure members would not be surprised to learn, ACT public school
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