DOCUMENT RESUME ED 365 500 RC 019 455 AUTHOR Hughes, Carol TITLE Learning Technology Programs in an Isolated Region: Classroom Applications of Technology. PUB DATE 93 NOTE 15p.; In: Rural Education Issues: An Australian Perspective. Key Papers Number 3; see RC 019 452. PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Access to Education; Computer Literacy; *Computer Uses in Education; *Distance Education; Educational Technology; Elementary Secondary Education; Foreign Countries; Geographic Isolation; *Information Technology; Postsecondary Education; *Rural Education; Small Schools; Telecommunications IDENTIFIERS *Australia (Queensland) ABSTRACT This paper describes computer and distance-education technologies in the South Western Educational Region of Queensland (Australia). The South Western Region is characterized by isolation, small schools, high teacher and principal turnover, teacher and principal inexperience, student mobility, pockets of social and economic deprivation, and many students of aboriginal origin. For the past 2 years, advancements in the region's educational technology has been dominated by the Queensland Department of Education Learning Systems Project. The project encompasses: (1) establishment of business education centers in secondary schools, focusing on use of computers and other modern business technologies;(2) implementation of electronic learning centers in primary and secondary schools; (3) introduction of a practical computer methods course into years 11 and 12;(4) installation and establishment of telelearning sites in remote areas, thereby greatly expanding curriculum options; and (5) extensive professional development for classroom teachers and school communities. Regional initiatives have provided equipment and training related to electronic communication since 1987, supplied facsimile machines to all of the smallest and most isolated schools, and created an integrated program for the repair and maintenance of all computer hardware and accessories. (SV) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * *********************************************************************** LEARNING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS INAN ISOLATED REGION CLASSROOM APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY Carol Hughes South Western Region, Queensland Background Information on the South Western Region The South-Western Education Region comprises thelocal authority areas of Balonne, Bendemere, Booringa, Bulloo, Bungil, Chinchilla,Murilla, Murweh, Paroo, Qui 1pie, Roma, Tara, Taroom and Warroo. The South Western Region extends approximatelyelevenhundred kilometres from east to west and five hundred kilometresfrom north to south. The area may be regarded as a broad transition zonebetween the fertile farming lands of the Darling Downs, through themulga scrub and open grasslands, to the desert marginsof Central Australia. The South Western Region covers an area of approximately413 100 square kilometres.It is 1.8 times the size of Victoria and six timesthe size of Tasmania. Comparison of Areas 'Ns mania 7 896.58 soikza. .-. :-: Southigestern 3.4) LCY "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educations! Research and improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC! /Thisdprumen,haS Deer,reproducedSS rer.rhved Irom the person or Orpm,rabon oripnating TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES C Minor changes nave been made to improve INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) reproduction quality POintsOlvieor or optruans stated inthm dew in ment do not necessarily represent Othroll OFR, position or potiry 2 185 Learning Technology Programs in an Isolated Region - Classroom Applications of Technology In ail parts of the Region, but most particularly in the western half, isolation and distance to schools and between schools, are a major difficulty for administrators, teachers, parents and students alike. Distance in South Western Region Winclorah Tambo Taroom 116 km (1.5 hrs) 241 km '3 hrs) 147 km Augathella (1.5 hrs) 84 km hr; Quilpie 480 km (6 hrs) 04 km 210 km 169 km Roma (1.25 hrs) (2.5 hrs) j Charleville lirs) Brigalow Brishan Eromanga 194 km 198 km hrs) (2.5 hrs 228 km (2.5 hrs) Tara MP, 193 km 1 291 km St George Thar2omindah(2.5 hrs) Cunnamuila13.5 hrs) 164 km (2 firs) Rebel Educational facilities in the South Western Region comprise four state high schools, a senior college, a middle school (years 4 to 10), a junior school (preschool to year 3), a school of distance education, a special school, an environmental education centre, ten secondary departments attached to primary schools, as well as fifty-five primary schools.Of these twenty- seven are one teacher schools. Special education units are attached tothe primary schools at Charleville, Chinchilla and Cunnamulla. There are 196 3 BEST EL:. .L146.1 04.6, Learning fecnnorogy Programs in an IsolatedRegion - Classroom Applications of Technology Transfers in South Western Region 600 500 400 300 Number of Transfers 200 111 Number of Teachers 100 0 1989- 1990- Total for 1990 1991 twoyears There is also a highturnover of teachers in the region eachyear. Introduction In the South WesternEducational Region thearea of technology over the past two anda half years has been dominated bythe Queensland Department of Education LearningSystems Project. The Learning Systems Project in the South Western Regionencompasses: * the establishment ofBusiness Education Centres insecondary schools antsecondary departments; * the implementationofElectronic Learning Centres inprimary and secondary schools; 188 4 Learning Technology Programs in an isolated Region - ClassroomApplications of Technology * the introduction of the subject Practical ComputerMethods into Year 11 and 12; )k the installation and establishment of Tele learningsites for remote areas; and * extensive professional development forclassroom teachers and school communities. The South Western Region adopted theseprojects and a plan for implementation over a three year period wasdevised by the regional consultants, one full-time person based in Roma and onepart-time person based in Charleville. These consultants cover vastdistances each week working in secondary schools through to preschools,classrooms to property homes. Quality communication is essential in our region whereisolation is caused by distance and lack of facilities.For this reason, a regional initiativeof providing equipment and training for the use of electroniccommunication via Key link was approved, and a program put in place in1987.In 1990 this program has been extended to the supply offacsimile machines to all class four and five schools (one to four teacher schools) in theregion. Due to the location of these schools and irregular, infrequent mailservices, this type of technological equipment attempts to overcome some ofthe frustration caused by the isolation and distance factors. This highprofile program must be continually maintained due to the high turnover ofstaff in our small schools. In addition to these projects, an integrated programfor the repair and maintenance ofallcomputer hardware and accessorieshas been continually serviced and maintained. The South WesternRegion is the only educational region in Queensland which can boast that everyschool in the region has their own computers, modem and printersfor daily use by students. With this large volume of equipment, this maintenanceand repair program is very necessary. We are verylucky that the South Western Priority Country Area Program assists our isolated schoolsin this matter. Finally,theprovisionandinstallationofcomputers andelectronic communication facilities for use by children on propertiesstudying through 5 169 Learning Technology Programs In an Isolated Region- Classroom Applications of Technology the School of Distance Education isan important facet of technology in our region.Both the Queensland Department of Education and the Priority Country Area Program have contributed to thisinitiative which has proven to be a success. Learning Systems Project The Learning Systems Project isa $20 million, three year project initiated by the Queensland Government to enhancethe use of technology in education. Rather than distribute computer equipmentwidely across as many schools as possible, the strategy adopted in the Learning Systems Projectis to concentrate critical masses of equipment and skillsto ensure effective change in the outcomes of learning. The Learning Systems Projectwas planned to build expertise, layer by layer, throughout the state.Equipment has been deployed where itcan best sow the seeds of future developmentin learning technologies.Early work in computer education isnow providing the basis for the continuing implementation of this important project. Business Education Centres Technological change over the last decadehas transformed the office environment.Businesses have introduced multi-functioncomputers, new telecommunication networks and copyingdevices to facilitate operation and management of modern offices.As a result, business practices have changed from manualor mechanical operations to the use of sophisticated computer and telecommunication systemsand their associated software applications. These applicationareas include: * word processing; * graphics; * desktop publishing; * electronic time management; * spreadsheets; * electronic mail; * accounting packages; * teleconferencing; * electronic filing; * videotext;