Eight students or recent Bachelor of Education graduates will be available this summer to help Island teachers further develop their computer and Internet skills. The students have been hired by the Department of Education though a contract with Industry Canada.
Education Minister Gordon MacInnis says the project is part of the Department's ongoing efforts to provide Island teachers with information technology training. "An IT infrastructure depends on hardware, software and human resources," said MacInnis. "This project is one more step in our commitment to providing support and training to teachers so they can more effectively integrate technology into existing curriculum."
The students were placed in schools during May and June. During the summer they will be located at the Media Centre and various community sites. Over their 12 weeks of employment, the students will help in the production of teaching and learning materials for the Department of Education website, assist in the Department of Education computer summer institute offerings and develop lesson plans that incorporate the Internet.
To date, the students have had contact with over 400 teachers. The students can be reached directly at the Media Centre or through Martha Burka at the Department of Education.
In addition to supplying Island teachers with a valuable IT resource, MacInnis adds that the partnership between the Department and Industry Canada has added benefits for the students. "This partnership offers student teachers a unique opportunity to gain practical work experience," said MacInnis. "It will provide the students with meaningful summer employment and experience that will help them in their search for long term employment in their chosen field," said Minister MacInnis.
The students will be employed with the Department through to the month of August.