September 30, 2008

VIDEO CONFERENCING OFFERS OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THE WORLD TO RURAL, NORTHERN CLASSROOMS– – –
New Technology Links Offer Equal Educational Opportunities For All Students: Bjornson


Rural and northern students will have the opportunity to interact with experts and other students from around the world with new investments in video conferencing for classrooms, Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson announced today.

Using video conferencing links, students have talked to astronauts as their shuttles drift through space and others have ventured on virtual tours of centres of world-class centres of knowledge such as the Smithsonian Institute.

“Students have a right to the best available education. And this leading-edge technology is a powerful tool that is helping to revolutionize the classroom experience, levelling the educational playing field by providing equal opportunities for all students, no matter where they live,” Bjornson said.

“This video conferencing capability has made a significant difference to students and teachers alike,” said Jack Sullivan, superintendent of Mountain View School Division. “Students have access to additional courses. This technology also enables teachers to participate in professional development sessions close to home because time constraints and travel costs are no longer a factor.”

Students in Dauphin, The Pas and Flin Flon used the equipment to continue their French immersion education beyond Grade 8. This pilot project was so successful that Mountain View School Division plans to expand its capabilities to include all six high schools in the division. The additional $65,000 investment to expand video conferencing will also see enhanced course delivery, and professional development and consultative support opportunities for Manitoba teachers, school division staff and administrators.

The technology can link schools with high-definition, interactive video and sound. Some of the current uses include helping deaf or hard-of-hearing students study with teachers using American sign language (ASL), providing ASL training for educational assistants and giving school teams access to specialists who can provide consultative support for student services.

Technology such as video conferencing will increase the opportunities for rural and northern school educators to participate in the development of support materials and to access professional learning opportunities. The technology will also be used by school divisions to access consultant support from the department to assist in planning for students with special needs.

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