Page 4095 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 23 October 2018
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MS BERRY: The ACT government is delivering for Canberrans, regardless of their background or circumstances. On this side of the chamber, we believe in a community that helps everybody to access a decent life. We believe in equity. This election commitment is improving equity in education. In today’s school education context, personal computing devices are a key enabler. Because of this initiative, irrespective of family circumstances, every public high school student will have an equal opportunity to access technology-based learning when and where they need it.
Every Canberran deserves the best quality education to get the most out of life. Education has the power to break down barriers, improve social equity and make sure that people lead happy and fulfilling lives. The government is investing in education equity through initiatives just like this one.
Notably, other state and territory governments are taking note and having a look at how they can follow the ACT’s national leadership in this area. Thanks go to Caroline Chisholm School, in your electorate of Brindabella, Madam Speaker, and the Isabella Plains Early Childhood School. They recently hosted the Northern Territory education minister, who looked with great interest at our technology-enabled learning initiative here in the ACT.
MS CODY: Minister, how do the devices contribute to learning in a modern, digital world?
MS BERRY: In today’s schools, a significant part of learning happens digitally, especially in the secondary school context. Providing equal access to devices like Chromebooks is key to enabling learning for all students. Students use the devices to develop capacity to analyse information, solve problems and communicate in a highly digital society, in line with the objectives of the Australian curriculum, which requires students to understand how to operate effectively in a digital world.
The Chromebooks also enhance student learning opportunities and experiences to collaborate and discover and, in doing so, produce responsible, literate and knowledgeable digital citizens. The objective is not to provide a technologically-driven curriculum but rather enable learning across curriculum areas.
Chromebooks were selected because these devices will best align with the ACT’s public school IT infrastructure, another area where the ACT has been nation leading. Students are already equipped with access to a specialised Google education platform, where they can access a Google classroom and Google apps. Chromebooks integrate seamlessly with these apps and will ensure that all students are using a safe, secure and easily managed platform.
Education—NAPLAN results
MR PARTON: My question is to the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development. Minister, the Grattan Institute has just released its state by state report card measuring student progress. It highlights that the ACT is the worst performer of all states and territories on a like for like basis, with students making two to three
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