February 23, 2012

Putting ipads in classrooms

Anna Bligh’s plan for iPads in schools

1. iPads for students at Queensland’s Year 7 in High School pilot
schools

We have seen many examples in our state schools of students improving their learning through the use of
technology.

A re‐elected Bligh Government will spend $5.7 million to trial iPads for Year 7 students. The trial will be
undertaken in the 20 Flying Start Pilot schools and will be funded by the Queensland Education Trust.
Under this trial, an iPad 2 with WiFi and 32GB of storage (or equivalent) will be provided to up to 5065
Year 7 students who attend one of the 20 Flying Start pilot schools during the pilot phase (2012‐2014).

These Year 7 students will be in their first year of junior secondary school, and we want to support their
transition with cutting edge technology to support the new learning environment.

The use of tablet devices is skyrocketing, with 330 per cent growth in the last 12 months. It is estimated
that more than 11 million Australians – approximately half the population – will be using a tablet device
by 2016, and the Apple iPad is the clear market leader with 76 per cent of tablet sales last year.
iPad and equivalent tablet devices offer benefits over traditional laptops or netbooks for the classroom
environment, including long battery life, improved interactivity, and higher screen qualities. This will help
give students a flying start to their secondary education.

The pilot schools are
1. Murrumba State Secondary College (from 2012)
2. Alexandra Hills State High School (from 2013)
3. Bray Park State High School (from 2013)
4. Bremer State High School, Ipswich (from 2013)
5. Cleveland District State High School (from 2013)
6. Clifton State High School, Darling Downs (from 2013)
7. Crows Nest State School, Darling Downs (from 2013)
8. Glenden State School, Central Queensland (from 2013)
9. Glenmore High School, Rockhampton (from 2013)
10. Gordonvale State High School (from 2014)
11. Meridan State College, Caloundra (from 2013)
12. Nambour State High School (from 2013)
13. Northern Beaches State High School, Townsville (from 2013)
14. Southport State High School (from 2013)
15. Springfield Central State High School, Ipswich (from 2013)
16. The Gap State High School (from 2013)
17. Toolooa State High School, Gladstone (from 2013)
18. Varsity State College, Gold Coast (from 2013)
19. New high school at Eimeo Road, Mackay, Mackay (from opening in 2013)
20. New high school at Foxwell Road, Coomera (from opening in 2013)

A re‐elected Bligh Government will go to tender on this program within the first 100 days, and use this
process to ensure maximum value for money.

The program will include an allocation for an AppleCare Protection Plan (or equivalent), charging trolleys,
secure storage and a device management solution.

Following completion of the pilot phase, we will then evaluate the educational success of this initiative
with a view to providing iPads to more Queensland school students.

Read more here

Mines to Minds Announcement

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh announcing the Labor Governments Mines to Minds program after community consultation.

LNP Education & Community Policies

As part of the Queensland Election it’s important to understand what both parties are offering Queenslanders interested in the Education Sectors.

If the polls are to be believed, the QLD LNP will be in office in March 2012. Where do they stand on Education and Community issues?

These are links to the LNP Policies as at 1/2/2012

eLearning for special needs students

Science and Innovation for Economic Success

Get in the Game

A Safer Queensland: School Safety Zones

Independent public schools

What policies are important to you and which ones aren’t yet covered.

What happened to Cooler Schools, Performance Pay for Teachers, National Curriculum, National Testing (NAPLAN), Teaching and Learning Audits, WHSC for Community Organisations, Excellence in Schools, Year 7 into High School….

Are these issues important to you?

Queenslanders go to Polls March 24

The Premier of Queensland has today announced that Queenslanders will go to the polls on March 24th. The Government will enter caretaker mode from February 19.

In her press release Premier Ann Bligh said,

“The government would enter caretaker mode on February 19 and would seek to move the upcoming local government elections to late April or early May.

The Premier made the unprecedented announcement after receiving a request from the Floods Commission of Inquiry for an extension of time until the 16th of March to complete their work.

“The Commission and the Commissioners have my full support in their decision to hold further hearings and in their request for an extension of time,” she said.

“I established this inquiry because I wanted answers about the circumstances of the floods. I said I would leave no stone unturned and I meant it.

“My family and the people I love, live in this city and, like every other Queenslander I want the truth about what happened last year.”

This advance notice now gives Queensland Parents and Caregivers the chance to speak up about what issues they’re passionate about in relation to Education and have their voices heard.