Corrected: Interactive whiteboards to smarten Queensland students

The Queensalnd Department of Education and Training (DET) will set up a Preferred Supplier Arrangement for interactive whiteboards, supporting the Smart State initiative’s objectives through helping provide “rich” digital learning environments, increasing educational institution productivity, and boosting education and training infrastructure.

Through the supplier arrangement there is a possibility up to 21,588 interactive whiteboards (IWBs) could be installed throughout Queensland TAFEs, and primary, secondary, and special schools as part of the the Government’s $120 million Smart State initiative but this depends on the schools deciding individually to make an IWB purchase.

According to the DET, feedback from teachers had suggested that the inclusion of information technology in the classroom -- via the State’s Computers for Teachers program -- had both “engaged and empowered” students.

“A substantial body of national and international evidence is now emerging on the impact of the IWB technology on teaching and learning practices and student performance,” documents on the IWB supplier arrangement read.

“The research indicates that IWB technology is leading to reliable gains across all key stages and subjects with progressively more significant impact over a period of time and experience with the device.

“This research indicates that embedding of the technology into the classroom and teacher experience with the technology are key factors in gaining positive outcomes.”

According to the DET, some 40,000 teachers across schools and TAFE Institutes had received a laptop computer under the Computer for Teachers initiative, which commenced in July 2007.

The DET said at the end of 2009, at least 5011 IWBs already existed in the state’s schools. Figures for TAFE deployment rates are not available.

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