Microsoft today congratulated the Government of New South Wales (NSW) as it began the first stage of the distribution of over 220,000 mini notebooks to students and teachers across the State as part of the Australian Government’s Digital Education Revolution (DER) program. The company said that the scale of the program, which will eventually see every year nine through 12 student in Australia receive a mini notebook, was, to its knowledge, unparalleled in education globally.
Each of the mini notebooks has been loaded with Microsoft's Windows 7, the latest generation of the Windows operating system. While the product has been finalised, Windows 7 (RTM version) has not yet been released to the general public, making NSW students and teachers among the very first in the world to have access to the finalised software.
"Today marks the start of a new era in education," said Ms Tracey Fellows, managing director, Microsoft Australia.
"The laptop program will open up new worlds beyond the school walls, and help enhance student learning through better engagement and richer, more immersive classroom experiences," said Ms Fellows.
"As well as making learning more exciting and relevant, the program will also help give students the digital skills they need to succeed at school and in the workforce.
"I would like to commend the Premier of NSW, Nathan Rees, the Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth, the Director-General of the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET), Michael Coutts-Trotter, and the Chief Information Officer of DET, Stephen Wilson, on reaching this visionary milestone for education in the State."
New South Wales is distributing over 70,000 mini notebooks to students across the State this year as part of the Federal Government’s DER program. Over 220,000 mini notebooks will have been distributed to NSW students by the completion of the rollout in 2012.
The rollout of the mini notebooks follows an extensive trial phase in which they were put through their paces by students and teachers at three schools.
As part of the pilot, the NSW DET conducted extensive testing of Windows 7 and the broader technology platform selected for the mini notebooks. NSW DET has been impressed with the results, particularly the flexibility of Windows 7 in enabling students to use their computers away from school, connecting from any wireless access point while still protecting the DET’s investment. The DET also said that the built-in security capabilities in Windows 7 made the machines less desirable to thieves. The mini laptops can be locked down and tracked by staff at the DET.
Ease of manageability was also identified as a key factor contributing to the selection of Windows 7 and the broader Microsoft platform for the mini notebooks. The operating system was also noted as having features that will help in the everyday use and maintenance of the mini notebooks, such as direct access, wireless capabilities, improved battery life, system management and an application locker, which is designed to minimise unauthorised downloads. Windows is also a familiar interface for teachers, students, parents and IT administrators, which will assist in the implementation and training aspect of the roll-out and help to ultimately lower total cost of ownership.
Read more information on the specifications for the laptop rollout.
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For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Ben Tan
Microsoft Australia
Tel: 0418 488 827
Email: btan@microsoft.com
David Sims
Howorth Communications
Tel: 0409 928 209
Email: davids@howorth.com.au
NSW Department of Education and Training
Media Unit
Tel: (02) 9561 8501
Email: mediaunit@det.nsw.edu.au