Apples for the teachers, and pupils

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 434, 28 April 1992, Page 5

Apples for the teachers, and pupils

BY

JOHOWDE

The Waiouru Primary School took delivery of five computers last Wednesday. They are 'Apple 2E' systems and included are five printers purchased with the funds raised at last year's school Desert Gala. Bob Bulman, a member of the Board of Trustees, said the Board wishes to acknowledge the support from the community, in particular, support given to the School Gala which raised $10,000. This money has funded the bulk of the cost of the new computers. Bob said it has provided an important educational opportunity for the children. "It's important for the children to be exposed to computer literacy skills at an early age so it beeomes part of life. It teaches them computers are nothing to be frightened of." He said the buying of the computers is the start of what the board sees as an ongoing commitment to using computers in the classroom. They hope to build on this base with an ongoing programme of purchasing computers and software, as funds permit.

Bob Bulman, and Michelle Parson-Sim, the tutor for teacher computer studies, said there has been a lot of research and discussion on what computer model to purchase. The reasons 'Apple 2E' was bought was because it provided the best range of good quality educational software that can be previewed before buying, and there is a good backup service from the educational consultant in Palmerston North who services the same computers in other schools in the area. Bob Bulman said another advantage is Taihape is setting up a software access library, and Waiouru hopes to join the scheme. The Ministry of Education does not provide any specific money for computer study, but the National Curriculum states that technology should be an increasing part of school programmes. "All ages from New Entrants to senior students will experience computers, with different educational programmes in language and maths,"said Mrs Parson-Sim. "The interactive fiction programmes help

develop children's problem solving, group interaction, and logical thinking skills." Michelle said quite a lot of children have a background knowledge in computers and teachers can fine-tune this knowledge at school. Michelle has had considerable experience in computer work in schools, including teaching computer skills

to the visually impaired. Because of her background, she is the study group tutor, supervising nine teachers participating in a College of Education course on computers. "When the teachers finish the course, they will be the trained resource teachers for the area." Michelle said the teachers on the course

will have a computer in their own classrooms. They will be using the the five new 'Apples' and the three existing Commodore 500 computers. The teachers attending the Teachers in Education Course are; Wendy Colville, Heather Tipene, Trish Masson, Brian Holt, Tracey Herewini, Brenda O'Loughlin, and Tauri Morgan.