11 February 2005
Interactive technology linking schools around NZ
Prime Minister Helen Clark today launched Project ACTIVate, an educational network that will link together schools from
Auckland and Southland through the use of interactive whiteboards and high-speed internet connections.
Helen Clark took part in a demonstration lesson with students at St Mary's School in Auckland's North Shore with a live
link to students at Southland Girls' High School.
"Project ACTIVate provides a large screen interactive workspace where teachers and students around the country can work
together through video conferencing and computers," Helen Clark said.
"This interactive whiteboard technology will allow teachers and students to combine the power of computers with the
learning capability of the internet.
"This is another one of the Digital Opportunites projects which are great examples of the education sector, business and
government working together to support student learning in the dynamic and challenging area of information
communications technologies (ICT)."
Education Minister Trevor Mallard launched another Digital Opportunities project, MOTIS, in Wainuiomata this morning.
Auckland University’s Faculty of Education CODE Centre will provide professional development for teachers in the
ACTIVate project.
Massey University will lead the research into ACTIVate and assess how this technology helps teachers to collaborate and
teach more effectively and in turn how student learning is improved.
Venture Southland is co-ordinating the South Island schools, and is supporting the project by funding the technologies
involved for the Southland schools.
This ACTIVate pilot runs over the next two years, with a possible extension to include more schools in 2007.
ENDS