Digital age hits local school

Kylie Triggell | 29th June 2009

A LOGAN primary school will be the first in Queensland to participate in a new digital learning and print literacy project.

Waterford West State School will be a part of the $600,000 project, funded by the Australian Research Council Linkage scheme, which will enable students from prep to year four to learn about new technologies, word processing, multi-media and even movie making.

Principal, Dianne Carter, said the program would begin in term three, with students participating in activities like making a class website and writing a blog.

“It's a three to five year project,” Ms Carter said.

“We want to become a hub where others come for training.

“The kids are so much ahead of the game; (technology) is like second nature to them.”

State Member for Waterford, Evan Moorhead, said this was proof local schools were using technology to deliver better educational outcomes for local children.

“The project will be run in partnership with the Queensland University of Technology, Queensland Teachers' Union and Waterford West State School over a three to five year period,” he said.

The aim of the project is to use digital and print multi-literacy to engage students with curriculum through the medium of the digital world.

Mr Moorhead said that this outcome would be achieved through ongoing consultation between the Queensland University of Technology and Waterford West State School.

“The project will begin with QUT helping to implement a training site for teachers and student development in print literacy and technology with a focus on low socio-economic school development.

“Throughout the project QUT will also work with students and teachers to improve on literacy outcomes.”