Year 9 students based at Thornbury High School have returned this year to find a new, more modern classroom environment waiting for them. Using $266,000 of Federal Government funding, the school has purchased enough laptops for use in every class for each student in year 9, with 30 spares.
Northcote High School has instituted a laptop program that will give all the year 9 and 10 students a laptop for school and home use.
Northcote High School assistant principal, Kevin Hoole, told the Northcote Leader that the program is in an evaluation period this year and that the school would look to expand the program if it succeeds in supporting students in their learning.
Simon Townley, the Thornbury High School assistant principal, told the Northcote Leader that because young people relate well to new technology, the students in year 9 would be more engaged and enjoy their learning more with the new laptop program.
Mr Townley said that the software program, Comic Life, is one example of how maths lessons could be enhanced. He said:
“Kids are so confident with the technology they’ll just be able to sit down and do it so staff don’t even need to be trained to show them how to use it.”
Having access to technology where students can work on projects, assignments or even poster printing is a great benefit, as Mr Townley estimated that 25 percent of students would otherwise not have access to these resources.