The following is a copy of
a document issued by the recently elected NSW Government, titled Preparing
for the Future: Labor's Computers in Schools Plan. (Release date
April 1999). This document provides a summary of commitments made before
the election.
While no detail concerning the
implementation of these commitments is yet available, the document provides
a clear overview of the direction of the government in the area of technology
in NSW schools.
Equipping
schools for the future
Teaching for
the next millennium
Our students
- prepared for the future
A computer-based
curriculum for a new millennium
Computers
for the community
Equipping
schools for the future
- The Carr
Government will expand its Computers in Schools
Program to ensure students have better access to the
Internet and the most up-to-date computer resources,
and are at the forefront of learning through new
technology.
- The
government will distribute an additional 25,000
computers to further reduce the ratio of computers to
students.
- The
computers provided in our first term will be replaced
with new computers over the next four years to ensure
schools are keeping pace with changes in
technology.
- Additional
funding will be provided to enable all schools to be
cabled with local networking infrastructure. Schools
will be able to choose, install and use computer
equipment in ways that best suit their needs.
- The
government will expand the Country On-line program to
500 schools throughout the State.
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Teaching
for the next millennium
We will
continue to train teachers on how to use the new
technology. This will be an important focus of the next
phase of the Carr Government's Computers in Schools
Program.
There will be
an expansion and further development of the specialist
computer training programs for teachers.
- From 2000,
all graduates of university teaching courses will need
to be proficient in the educational use of computers
in order to be employed in NSW government schools.
- A new
computer training program, TILT PLUS, will be
developed to train a further 15,000 teachers in
advanced and specialised computer skills related to
hardware and networking. On successfully completing
the course, they will be eligible for a TAFE Level II
Certificate in Information Technology.
- 10,000 more
teachers will be trained on how to use the computer in
the classroom through an expanded TILT program.
- TILT will
be redesigned as an interactive CD ROM, including
videos as well as workshop materials and
resources.
- The TILT
website will be improved and expanded.
- There will
be a TILT by Distance Education package. Teachers who
are not eligible for the TILT program, but who wish to
cover the content of the TILT program, can use this
package.
- A package
for principals will be introduced to give them a
better understanding of resource purchasing, software
packages and the Internet, to conduct technology
skills audits and develop plans for technology across
the school.
- Secondary
teachers will be offered computer training in specific
subject areas such as Maths, Science and Computing
Studies.
- A computer
training package specifically for early childhood
teachers will be developed.
- A computer
training package for special education teachers will
be developed.
- A training
program for SASS staff about using the Internet will
be introduced.
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Our
students - prepared for the future
The Carr
Government will continue to ensure that NSW leads
Australia with the most innovative and up-to-date
resources and a curriculum that ensures that all students
have a solid foundation in computing and new technology
skills.
The Computers
in Schools Program will be expanded and improved to
ensure students acquire the skills needed to succeed in
the technology age.
- New
state-wide external Computing Skills Assessments will
be introduced for all Year 6 and 10 students to
determine their knowledge, ability and understanding
to use computer-based technology. The new Year 6 and
Year 10 Computing Skills Assessments will examine
students' ability to:
- use
computer-based technologies to locate, assess,
evaluate, manipulate, create, store and retrieve
information;
- express
ideas and communicate with others, using
computer-based technologies;
- develop
an awareness of the range of applications of
computer-based technologies in society;
- discriminate
in the choice and use of computer-based
technologies for a given purpose; and
- explore,
adapt and shape technological understandings and
skills in response to challenges now and in the
future.
- Annual
Website Design Awards will encourage schools to
demonstrate their skills and ability to use new
computer resources.
- All new
curriculum will incorporate the need for students to
learn and use the latest computer-based
technologies.
- New
curriculum materials will include the latest
developments in computer-based technologies
- Two new HSC
courses - Software Design and Development, and
Information Processes and Technology - will be
introduced.
- The HSC
Online website will include more subjects and provide
students with access to extra resources as they
prepare for the HSC, including past exam papers,
interactive newsgroups and career information.
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A
computer-based curriculum for a new
millennium
The Carr
Government will continue to develop and improve
computer-based curriculum support materials for
teachers.
- Curriculum
support documents for all teachers will be updated
with details of activities and strategies for
integrating the computer-based technologies in each of
the key learning areas.
- The
Department of Education and Training's Website,
Network for Education, will be updated and improved to
provide increased access to resources on the
Internet.
- There will
be an upgrading of connect.edu:
Internet in Teaching and
Learning,
to provide teachers with up-to-date practical ideas
for integrating the Internet into teaching and
learning and step-by-step advice on how to use the
Internet.
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Computers
for the community
- The
government will expand the Country On-line program to
500 schools throughout the State.
- Parents
will continue to be consulted and involved in
developments related to the introduction and use of
new technology.
- Programs
for parents will continue to help them become familiar
with changes in the use of computers, and able to
support their children's learning.
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