Wellington, Oct 28 – An internet website for teachers and a scheme encouraging businesses to donate their old computers to schools are key parts of the Government’s new strategy for encouraging technology in schools.
The policy, to cost $16 million over three years, was launched by Education Minister Wyatt Creech and Prime Minister Jenny Shipley today.
The website — dubbed an "on-line resource centre" — will be used to provide teaching resources over the internet, and will also feature an "interactive centre" where teachers can hold "on-line chats, discussions and videos".
The strategy will also:
* promote a computer recycling scheme to encourage industry to donate computers to schools, and to inform schools about the availability of recycled computers.
* include training courses for principals, aimed at helping them better use information technology in their schools.
* Schools already using information technology well will be contracted to provide support and training for other schools. Next year 23 schools will be contracted.
The strategy said by 2002 schools should be able to demonstrate they are using new technology to improve children’s learning and school administration.
NZPA PAR bs ar gt 28/10/98 19-38NZ
