PUPILS at four Warrnambool district primary schools will be able to share their classes with children across the state and around the world with new technology.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Premier and member for South West Coast Denis Napthine said Cudgee, Grasmere, Macarthur and Woolsthorpe primary schools would receive state-of-the-art video conferencing technology as part of the state government’s rural video conferencing initiative.
Dr Napthine said video conferencing gave Victorian students and teachers access to a flexible suite of virtual learning tools that allowed them to connect, interact, share and learn with others outside their classroom.
“Video conferencing breaks down geographical barriers and opens new opportunities for students and teachers,” he said.
“Traditionally, students from remote rural schools haven’t enjoyed the same opportunities as their metropolitan cousins.”
Video conferencing allows students to participate in virtual excursions to a range of Australian and international locations, including zoos, museums and cultural institutions.
It also gives teachers access to a range of professional learning opportunities, subject associations and cultural organisations.
Education Minister Martin Dixon said the initiative supported the state government’s commitment to expanding quality languages education.
“With video conferencing, it is possible for smaller rural schools to offer particular VCE classes to just one or two students by linking in with a class hundreds of kilometres away,” Mr Dixon said.