The boards of both AIIA and AEEMA met separately but concurrently last week to discuss the proposed amalgamation of the two associations.

AIIA has paved the way for five public school teachers in NSW to explore new ways to use ICT in their teaching.

In a joint program with the NSW Department of Education and Training, AIIA has organised with five member companies to provide the teachers with company-based opportunities to experience ICT in industry and business.

The teachers were among nine public school teachers who received awards for their work in integrating ICT in their day-to-day teaching in classrooms while helping their colleagues to build their ICT skills.

They were recognised for working at the very highest level of ICT and making excellent use of modern technology to support students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

As part of the program, AIIA arranged with five of its member companies to work with several of the award recipients and with other teachers to explore new ways of using ICT in their teaching.

The five companies are Apple Computer Australia Pty Ltd, Computers Now, IBM Australia Limited, Microsoft Pty Ltd and Thomson NETg Australia.

Microsoft also has agreed to fund a $10,000 ICT Scholarship with the first recipient being Dan Rytmeister from Marrickville High School in Sydney. He plans to use the scholarship to build on his knowledge and skills, while identifying further strategies to support his colleagues.

He also plans to improve the integration of ICT at Marrickville High and enhance the access students have to the latest technology through the school's intranet and the Internet.

AIIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Rob Durie said it was pleasing to see teachers being rewarded for their progressive work with students and teaching colleagues.

“Teachers play a key role in preparing young people for life and work, and their efforts to guide and encourage students to study, and hopefully work in ICT is vital for securing the future of the industry,” Mr Durie said.

“The importance of this is reflected in the fact that five AIIA member companies had agreed to volunteer their company’s expertise for the teachers to experience ICT being used in industry and business,” Mr Durie said.

“AIIA expects this initiative will help to further the professional development of our public school teachers and their colleagues to build their ICT skills.

“The NSW Department of Education and Training has shown great initiative in running this program and acknowledging the exceptional public school teachers who are doing a first rate job in integrating ICT in to their classrooms,” Mr Durie said.

The recipients of the AIIA program are Dr Boris Handal from Cumberland High School, Ms Elizabeth Aitken from Carlton Public School, Roger Caines from Menai Public School, Noel Glover from Wyong High School and Peter Holmes from Otford Public School.

Doctor Handal, Noel Glover and Peter Holmes also received an award for Excellence in the Integration of ICT along with Jonathan Harvey from Cullen Bullen Public School, Bruce Malbon from Queanbeyan Public School and Dan Rytmeister from Marrickville High.

Andrew Cappie-Wood, Director General of the NSW Department
of Education and Training (far right), with award winners.