PROVINCE PROVIDES WEB CONFERENCING FOR 91 RURAL SCHOOLS

VICTORIA – The Province is partnering with BCEd Online to provide 91 schools with $230,000 in web conferencing tools to improve access and learning opportunities for rural students, Education Minister Shirley Bond announced today as part of Computer Literacy Day.

“Many students in rural areas can’t take the courses they want because there aren’t enough students for a class or because there isn’t a qualified teacher,” said Bond. “Those students will now be able to use state-of-the-art technology to take courses previously unavailable to them.”

Schools will be provided with the technology and training to use web conferencing to deliver real-time, interactive courses through BCEd Online, an e-learning consortium that includes public school districts and independent schools.

The web conferencing tools will allow rural schools to:

· Provide high-quality educational opportunities and more choice.

· Give students more opportunities to participate in online activities that enhance learning.

· Increase opportunities for educators to collaborate and share best practices.

“BCEd Online’s primary focus is to increase access and choice for students,” said BCEd Online executive director Barry Carbol. “Through this significant contribution by the government, we will be able to provide rural schools throughout B.C. with tools that will allow students to take the courses they want and need, regardless of where they live.”

The web conferencing tools fulfil the Province’s commitment to provide state-of-the-art electronic learning to every rural secondary school in B.C. The government and BCEd Online are now working to provide all urban schools with web conferencing tools for the 2006-07 school year.

“School districts are working hard to meet the needs of students and improve student achievement,” said Bond. “Web conferencing tools such as web tutoring will help districts provide additional resources to support students.”

The Province has also provided an additional $1.35 million for distributed learning programs in B.C.’s nine distance education schools. These funds will help the districts provide higher service levels, more resources and greater teacher interaction with distance learners.

Over the last year, the Province has invested more than $6 million to improve technology in B.C. classrooms. The funding includes $1 million to put almost 12,000 additional computers in schools, and $2.1 million to provide pilot laptop computer projects in 12 districts and support electronic learning in rural schools.

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Media contact:	Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Education 250 356-5963

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