Media Release: eLEARNING SYMPOSIUM SHOWING HOW NEW TECHNOLOGY CAN IMPROVE TEACHING

FROM THE MINISTER FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

DATE: Thursday, March 10, 2005

eLEARNING SYMPOSIUM SHOWING HOW NEW TECHNOLOGY CAN IMPROVE TEACHING

An innovative Bracks Government initiative, eLearning Symposium for Education, is encouraging schools to embrace new technologies to improve teaching.

The Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Marsha Thomson, and the Minister for Education Services, Jacinta Allan, encouraged principals, assistant principals, teachers and local eLearning companies to attend the workshops.

Participants will take part in two of eleven varied and interactive workshops outlining the successes of existing partnerships between Victorian eLearning companies and Victorian schools, and exploring key issues relating to the use of ICT in education.

Ms Thomson said 10 of the workshops were joint industry-school presentations that shared the real-life experiences of schools and ICT companies working together under the Bracks Government’s eLearning Industry Schools Partnership Program (eLISPP).

“We have been working hard to education schools and industry about each others needs and services,” Ms Thomson said.

“Past experience tells us the uptake of eLearning in schools has been hampered by misconceptions about the complexity of eLearning products for the school sector.

“The full day symposium provides schools with an ideal opportunity to increase their awareness of eLearning and of how the innovative use of technology can improve learning outcomes.”

Hosted by the Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals (VASSP), the event will provide an opportunity for the education sector and local eLearning companies to meet and learn more about each others needs and capabilities.

The symposium builds on the Bracks Government’s commitment to increase linkages between schools and eLearning companies.

“Our eLISPP initiative has gone a long way to helping local industry gain a better insight into what eLearning systems and content Victorian schools need, and schools have learnt how they can best use new technologies to improve teaching,” Ms Thomson said.

The eLearning Symposium for Education - Developing Partnerships between Education and Industry, will be held on March 31 at Moonee Valley Conference Centre, Moonee Ponds.

If you would like to attend or want further information please contact: Kathy Coultas, Manager eLearning on 9651 9009 or email kathy.coultas@mmv.vic.gov.au by Thursday 24 March, 2005.