[LINK] Rudd's vow, but cost of computers to hit states

[Jan Whitaker]

At 06:11 PM 29/03/2008, Bernard Robertson-Dunn wrote:
>"The Rudd Government has refused to commit to funding the ongoing 
>costs like broadband access, rewiring and adding power outlets, 
>higher electricity bills, air-conditioning, security, insurance, 
>maintenance of the network and hardware," said Brett Mason, the 
>shadow parliamentary secretary for education.
>
>"These are not insignificant costs; the cost of rewiring a school to 
>accommodate new computers will be over $100,000 for the average school."
>
>The president of the NSW Secondary Principals Council, Jim McAlpine, 
>has written to principals advising them to hold-off on responses to 
>the Government's online survey about what they need to achieve the 
>promised digital revolution.
>
>"The [council] is currently in consultation with the Department of 
>Education and Training to establish the best possible approach to 
>achieving the digital revolution in our schools," he wrote. While 
>most of you will have received letters from the Commonwealth asking 
>you to start completing online submissions, there are dangers in 
>jumping in too early."
>
>--

have a look at the info in: 
http://pre2005.flexiblelearning.net.au/clicks/index.htm
This is a research project and report I led in 2002 that outlines a 
slew of issues involved in adapting a school environment for high 
computer use. There are probably a few changes since then, like the 
increase in wireless networking, but other things are going to be 
pretty consistent like power outlets, desk/table layouts, effects of 
windows, etc. Another aspect often overlooked is the need for a place 
for teachers to adapt their curriculum and help each other and 
through professional development.

The associated resource library: 
http://pre2005.flexiblelearning.net.au/clicks/res_libr/
has a Best Practice Principles and Guidelines document that is a way 
to do facilities planning.

If anyone has access to the Minister or state ministers, [I wrote to 
her just after the election and didn't get too far], feel free to 
forward the references. The work was pretty comprehensive and I'd 
like to see it get some use besides in TAFE.

Jan



Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
jwhit at janwhitaker.com
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