New Technology Enhances Pupils' Learning Experience

A group of schools in a rural community in County Durham are adding a new dimension to classroom-based learning as part of a Government-led drive to promote the use of ICT in education.

Eleven schools in Willington and Crook have been chosen to take part in the £20 million ICT Test Bed Project co-ordinated by Becta on behalf of the DfES.

Now classrooms within the schools have been equipped with the latest communications technology, and project leaders are excited about the months ahead and the new opportunities which will be opened up to pupils. Two major projects have already been planned - the sharing of modern language teaching between the schools and the development of 'virtual' field trips.

The co-ordinator of the project explains: "I believe this new technology will open up a whole range of exciting new opportunities for the children. It will stimulate their imagination and prove to be of immense value in enhancing the whole learning experience.

"Over the coming weeks we will be sharing modern language teaching over videoconferencing, giving pupils in four primary schools and our secondary school instant access to specialist expertise and first class teaching."

He continues: "Another project we want to develop is the idea of 'virtual' field trips. By forging partnerships with museums, and other places of interest, we'll use the new technology to give our pupils opportunities they might otherwise not have had."

Each school has been equipped with a TANDBERG 880 videoconferencing system, an interactive whiteboard and a 42" plasma display screen.

The conferencing technology has been supplied and installed by Direct Visual.