The Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board in Brantford, Ontario, recently announced an $870,000 investment to increase technology in the classroom and improve student achievement.
The three-year plan is to provide all teachers in the first, second and third grades in the board’s 31 elementary schools with laptops or netbooks by 2013. The board said it hopes these tools will be used to facilitate innovative learning environments and provide students with a cutting-edge level of education.
The plan also calls for upgrades to wireless network access and will install an overhead projector in each classroom. The board said the high-tech tools will be used in combination with the interactive Smart Boards that have already been installed in many classrooms.
“The project reinforces the message to our Catholic community of our commitment to providing the best education possible for our students,” said Chair of the Board June Szeman. Technologically advanced classrooms are the first step to ensuring students have the best possible skills for learning in the 21st century, she added.
Teachers will also receive training to utilize the netbooks and other technology. According to the Brantford Expositor, a report from the director of the school board stated extensive training is necessary to give teachers the technical skills and and understanding of the new equipment.
