EdNA, teachers and schools

[Christopher Ward]

At 12:14 AM 17/9/95, Chris Bigum wrote:

> ...
> All this work is done out of hours, is unfunded, and is often
> done at considerable personal cost. Teachers receive much 
> criticism for the state of computing in schools but if it were
> not for their capacities to make something from virtually nothing 
> then there would be little computing in schools.
> ...

Chris's entire message is a very cogent one for all those involved
in the planning and implementation of educational computing networks.

As a computer systems manager with a wife who is a teacher-librarian,
I am acutely aware of the lack of support infrastructure for those
teachers involved in delivering information using computer and
network technology.  Crucial issues such as consultancy, training and
support are only the tip of the iceberg and these must be meshed with the
broader issues which encompass the sociological changes in what is almost
a paradigm shift (for teachers) in information access and education.

Governments and particularly education departments should take a long,
hard look at how they will provide the infrastructural support vital for
teachers at the "chalkface", sorry, keyboard!  If EdNA can help and is
addressing this issue, then I'm sure there will be a lot of grateful
teachers out there.

Christopher Ward
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Christopher Ward - Computer Systems Manager
Queensland Institute of Medical Research          Phone : 61 7 362 0200
The Bancroft Centre, 300 Herston Road             Fax   : 61 7 362 0111
HERSTON   QLD   4006    AUSTRALIA	          E-mail: chris@qimr.edu.au
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