The Regional Secretary for Education and Training announced on Friday that all Elementary Schools of the archipelago will be equipped with laptops in the following school year under the “digital schools” project.
“With these new hardware equipment, the Azorean schools will be even better equipped. It is expected that this investment may truly mobilise a significant learning,” Lina Mendes stated, adding that a training course for teachers on the digital assisted learning platform developed by the University of Aveiro ended on Friday at the Biscoitos Basic Education School.
The Secretary assured that, at the same time, there will be a training course addressed at elementary school teachers in order to provide them with the required skills to derive the full benefits of computer equipment.
“In addition to the continuous investment in school infrastructures, the Government has sought to provide the Regional System with innovative equipment in the area of new technologies. We have been progressively equipping all schools with computers, interactive whiteboards as well as with educational software,” said Lina Mendes.
Being aware that promoting the early years of training will be essential to ensure a consistent learning path, the Secretary stated that the acquisition of 1800 individual licenses to access the digital assisted learning platform, designated as Interactive Resources for Education in the Azores – REID Açores, is “a valuable work tool for both teachers and students.”
This pilot project, addressed at elementary and middle school students, will be implemented in the next school year in 20 Azorean schools which were chosen for having achieved results below average in the External Summative Assessment Test, PASE, in different teaching levels as well as in different subjects in the last three years.
The syllabus provided by the platforms comprises the subjects of Portuguese, Math and Environmental Studies for elementary school and the subjects of Math, History and Natural Sciences for middle school.
“Once again, the Azores are in the forefront in terms of education with the introduction of innovative work tools,” stated Lina Mendes.
During the visit to the Biscoitos Basic Education School, the Regional Secretary for Education and Training delivered the prizes to the winners of the 10th Spring Race that was held on Friday.