Education and Child Care
You can’t hear it or feel it, but you can see how increased Internet access through the Next Generation Network (NGN) is supporting student learning and development in B.C. classrooms.
Education Minister Mike Bernier was at Dawson Creek Secondary school (DCSS) today to see first-hand how students and teachers are putting the enhanced high-speed Internet to good use. The new technology makes it easier for teachers to bring online learning tools to the classroom so students can follow their passions and connect with the wider world.
Bernier was joined by a TELUS representative at the school to announce that 81% of students and 1186 out of 1650 school sites have already gained access to NGN, with the remaining sites to be completed by December 2016. The ministry and TELUS also launched their first video collaboration, featuring interviews with students and teachers from rural and urban schools about how NGN works.
myBlueprint is a web-based program that helps students complete a learning portfolio, including resumes and cover letters. Students can also identity their learning strengths and weaknesses, while comparing careers and post-secondary paths.
Canvas is used at Dawson Creek Secondary’s Distributed Learning school to manage course content and student records. Students can access their courses on multiple devices and platforms and teachers can communicate directly with students though the Learning Management System.
Peacenet is SD 59’s own server providing teachers and students access to all the features of a digital drive, while remaining on a closed server. Accessible only to staff and students, everyone has the ability to create documents and websites, available to them anytime and anywhere.
NGN provides high-speed Internet and enhanced network security services to all public schools in the province. By the 2016-17 school year, all districts will be connected to the innovative network. NGN is a partnership with school districts, the ministry, TELUS and IBM, the primary service providers.
Quotes:
Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –
“Dawson Creek Secondary is the perfect example of a school embracing the Next Generation Network. Students and teachers have integrated web-based programs into their daily classes and are exploring their interests with technology.”
Tim Draper, vice president, Business Solutions West, TELUS –
“The Next Generation Network is creating a foundation to improve the delivery of education in British Columbia and, in turn, improving learning outcomes for the students of the province. TELUS is committed to making our home province of B.C. one of the most connected places in the world, and is excited to see the youth of B.C. benefiting from this investment. Ensuring our students and future leaders have access to the information they need to uncover a wealth of learning opportunities will undoubtedly contribute to the future economic success and health of our children, communities and province as a whole.”
Tamara Ziemer, board chair, school district 59 –
“The board of education is pleased the Minister of Education is recognizing Dawson Creek Secondary school. Student success at DCSS is already benefiting from the improvements provided through the Next Generation Network, delivered in partnership with TELUS and the Ministry of Education.”
Quick Facts:
- The Next Generation Network provides:
- Increased electronic access, modern, high capacity to meet needs of teachers and learners
- Standard service to provide consistent experience from any school
- Improved security and management tools
- An enabler for innovation
- As part of the #BCTECH Strategy, the Province is committed to providing high-speed internet access to 100% of the province by 2021 and to improving the reliability of high-speed Internet access for northern and coastal communities.
Learn More:
TELUS and Ministry of Education video collaboration: https://youtu.be/p97coLkiTYg
School district 59 Peacenet: http://peacenet.sd59.bc.ca/
