New public/private partnerships announced in support of Dedicated Notebook Computer Research Project
FREDERICTON (CNB), September 30, 2004 - Premier Bernard Lord and Education Minister Madeleine Dubé today announced new relationships with Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co. and Microsoft Canada Co. in support of the Dedicated Notebook Computer Research Project, an important initiative in the province’s Quality Learning Agenda.
“We are very grateful and honored to have these two world leaders in information technology join us in this project to utilize technology to support and improve learning and teaching,’’ said Lord. “The participation and applied expertise of both Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft will be invaluable in our quest to better integrate information technology into our classrooms.’’
The partnership includes an agreement for Hewlett-Packard to provide more than 600 Compaq notebook computers, related services and consulting to the project while Microsoft will support related research and provide software, services and support.
HP Canada has a vision of the future – a future where technology is accessible to everyone in the world as a means to learn, work and benefit from information, said Paul Tsaparis, President and CEO, Hewlett-Packard Canada.
He said the alignment of vision between HP and the Government of New Brunswick underpins HP’s involvement as the single largest contributor to the research project. Through the support of such important and innovative research, HP hopes that the true merits of technology-enabled learning will come to the fore.
“It is my belief that HP has a responsibility to help further this type of research,” said Tsaparis. “Through this collaboration with the Government of New Brunswick, HP can help ensure that the important results of this work can be shared throughout the region and across Canada -- making technology a true enabler of a better learning experience.”
Microsoft Canada is supporting the pilot project by providing Microsoft Office and Encarta software for the notebook computers as well as funding for researchers at the Université de Moncton and Mount Allison University to evaluate the project’s impact on learning and teaching. The researchers will also study how technology can be used to improve learning.
The software donation, research and teacher training are part of Microsoft’s Partners in Learning program. Through Partners in Learning, the company works with provincial governments to make strategic investments in Kindergarten to Grade 12 education programs across Canada.
“The Dedicated Notebook Computer Research Project reflects Microsoft’s fundamental goal to help build digital literacy for all by improving access to technology for students and teachers,” said Frank Clegg, President, Microsoft Canada. “Premier Lord and Education Minister Dubé are preparing New Brunswick for the future by empowering children and teachers to learn and think in new ways. Hopefully, our seeding support for the pilot will help grow this important program into a major province-wide program.”
The announcement of the public/private contributions was made at Nashwaaksis Middle School in Fredericton. It was one of six schools selected from among two dozen applicants to take part in the two-year research project. The others are École Abbey-Landry, District 1, in Memramcook; Centre d’apprentissage du Haut-Madawaska, District 3, in Clair; École Le Tremplin, District 9, in Tracadie-Sheila; Harry Miller Middle School, District 6, in Rothesay; and Grand Manan Community School, District 10, in Grand Manan.
Education Minister Dubé recognized HP and Microsoft Canada on behalf of the students and teachers participating in the research project.
“Both of these companies understand the importance of ensuring our students and teachers can access and process the most up-to-date information to support learning and teaching,’’ she said. “We are very grateful for their enthusiasm and commitment to this project and look forward to continuing to work with these partners as the research project unfolds.’’
The Dedicated Notebook Computer Research Project is one of the 71 actions outlined in the Quality Learning Agenda for the public school system. The project will allow the Department of Education to determine how computer technology can best be used to further support learning and teaching.
“Research elsewhere has shown that providing dedicated computer access can have a significant positive impact on student learning and teaching practices,’’ said Lord. “We believe this initiative can play a significant role in achieving our Quality Learning Agenda goal of seeing our children and our schools achieve at a higher level – one that puts them in the top three nationally and internationally.’’
The research project will be carried out over two years. The first year will involve Grade 7 students and teachers in the six selected schools. In the second year, those students will continue in the pilot project as they move into Grade 8 while a second cohort of incoming Grade 7 students from the same schools will also take part.
Participating teachers will receive training during the first semester of this school year in the use of computers as teaching tools. Participating students will begin using their computers to support learning at the start of the second semester in January 2005.
