New South Wales
Country Areas Program
Projects That Really Make a Difference!

Project: Supporting Technology in Isolated Schools
Type: Deniliquin District Initiative
Coordinator: Denis Burton (Jerilderie PS)
Participating Schools: Jerilderie PS, Barooga PS, Moama PS, Tucumwal PS
Attributes addressed: Self, Self Directed Learning, Communication, Global Awareness and responsibility, Literacy, Numeracy, Technology

 Overview

This proposal is a model for technology implementation in isolated schools. It seeks to overcome barriers in T and D, maintenance and access to expertise.
The initiative focuses on three areas:

• Training and Development
  The proposal is to train a facilitator within each of the four pilot schools. Training will focus on the use of three specific software programs Kid Pix, ClarisWorks and Internet/Intranet applications which will be developed for classroom use to enhance teaching and learning skills and understanding. By concentrating on using a limited number of software packages it is envisaged that teachers will be able to use them more effectively and fully utilise their potential. Extensive professional development and the establishment of technology facilitators is important so as to support the integration of technology as a tool in the learning process.
• Enhancing Learning Through the Use of Technology Delivery
  To provide for a technology rich learning environment students need routine access to computers and associated technologies as part of the student's daily classroom environment. More effective delivery of programs in the classroom will be provided by implementing presentation software and large screen monitors.
• Maintenance Support and Training
  Staff/students and community personnel within each school will be given ongoing technical training in the basic skills required for user maintenance. Support will be provided for outside providers.

Implementation

The plan provides for the training of a facilitator within each of the four pilot schools. Facilitators will then be expected to provide explicit and systematic training for children and teachers in their home schools in the three specific software applications, Kid Pix, ClarisWorks and Internet/Intranet applications. The plan also provides for comprehensive maintenance procedures to be established.

Enhancing Learning through the Delivery of Technology purchasing and installation of hardware and software - cabling computers to large TV monitors Training of School Facilitators one teacher from each school (terms 1,2 and 3) Facilitators Conduct Training in own Schools school meetings team teaching with classroom teacher (half day per class per program) Jerilderie - 3 days Moama - 6 days Tucumwal - 4 days Barooga - 5 days Training of School Maintenance People technology trainer Maintenance Person Conducts Maintenance in Own School provision of T & D opportunities personnel to report back at meetings