Technology boost for six Geraldton public schools

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney has welcomed the final round of a $4 million State Government technology initiative to install interactive whiteboards in public schools throughout the State.

As a part of the final roll-out interactive whiteboards will arrive at six Geraldton schools – Allendale Primary, Beachlands Primary, Geraldton Primary, Holland Street, Mt Tarcoola Primary and Waggrakine Primary – and 170 other public schools across the State, taking the total number of schools equipped with the technology to 300.

Mr Blayney said the new interactive whiteboards allowed teachers greater flexibility in lesson preparation and would assist in making learning pathways more interesting and exciting for students.

Further, Mr Blayney said the technology enabled “whole class activities” and gave teachers the opportunity to use web-based resources, display videos and photos more effectively and where appropriate share students’ work with the rest of the class.

He said interactive whiteboards had proved effective as an excellent tool for engaging students in learning through a medium familiar to other technologies in their lives.

Mr Blayney said the interactive whiteboards opened the door for teachers to a more a varied curriculum which was more engaging for students. 

The $4million program was announced as part of the 2011-12 State Budget. Schools applied for the latest round of the program earlier this year and submissions were assessed on need and/or disadvantage.