Technology
Classroom Technology
We were pleased to announce the Commonwealth Government's initiative (Digital Education Revolution) to improve the ratio of computers in all High Schools across the nation. This was part of the initial program aimed to provide at least one computer for every two students from 9-12. This program provided Thomas Hassall Anglican College with the initial funding of $144,000, which enabled us to install 144 computers at the College located in new computer labs and many classrooms with smaller banks of computers. This was a great boost to our technology plan across the College and provided some excellent opportunities for the entire Senior School.
One of the issues encountered when planning to accommodate these new computers related to the on-costs of installation. These costs, which included power/ desks/ chairs, were substantial and meant teh Collge would invest more than what the government was giving us in their initial funding pledge. This anomaly was well documented in the media and has since been corrected with a further pledge for funding of infrastructure. In addition to this initial program the Government has announced its intention to put a laptop in the hands of every year 9-12 student.
The College leadership will ensure a coordinated plan for the provision of infrastructure, learning resources and teacher capability to address the educational challenges of the 21st Century.
Stage One of this plan is outlined as follows:
Stage One will comprise of the purchase and installation of 75 computers to assist with lowering the student: computer ratio to 1:1.
THAC will move into Stage Two, which will assess how effective the implementation of Stage One has been, developing strategies to ensure that the educational needs are being met across the College. This means that all classes will have access to computers regardless of the location or the subject. In the meantime, we will have time to assess the options to implement our own student laptop program. In addition to this we will be looking at the development of emerging technologies and best practice in a quickly changing technological environment.
One thing I want all parents and students reading this is to understand is that our current strategy has been developed with both our technical support staff and teaching staff (including our current IT teachers) and involved research conducted via our own educational links.
We do not want to disadvantage our students by limiting their access to computers via a laptop program. We have done our best to weigh up all the information we have available to us and developed our strategy accordingly.
Finally, let's thank God for the resources we do have available in our College to both benefit and bless our students and community.
