Educators laud Govt's broadband vow

Anne Tolley says digital learning is essential. Photo / Wanganui Chronicle

Leaders in "e-learning" have welcomed the Government's commitment to increased technology in schools.

Education Minister Anne Tolley told the ULearn technology in education conference in Christchurch yesterday that the Government was committed to ultra-fast broadband internet access for schools. A fibre network would eventually reach 97 per cent of schools "making the New Zealand education system one of the most connected in the world", she said.

Funding of $150 million had been signalled to make more state schools broadband-ready, and integrated schools would also get funding. A digital education network that could link all schools was also being considered.

"Digital literacy is no longer a novelty," Mrs Tolley said.

"For the sake of our young people all schools must embrace e-learning."

Niki Davis, a professor of e-learning at the University of Canterbury, said she was very enthusiastic about the commitment to fast broadband, having seen it in action in schools overseas.

Students, particularly those in rural areas, could get access to teaching via video conferencing that they could not otherwise.

"So it actually helps people stay in rural areas, because you don't have the same brain drain."

Trevor Storr, who is "e-principal" of a cluster of 11 secondary schools sharing learning opportunities, said the ultra-fast broadband would enable the schools to run multiple video conferences for teaching at a time, instead of just one.

"I like the idea of edgeless schools. So that your smallest school really is actually part of a much larger virtual school."