KALKADOON STATE HIGH SCHOOL WINS AUSTRALIAN ICT AWARD

Kalkadoon State High School is a winner in the Secondary Student Project section of the 2001 Australian division of the Asia Pacific ICT Awards. In early September, Catherine O'Kane, the coordinator of the winning project, will travel to Kuala Lumpur to contest the Asia Pacific finals of the Awards as a representative of Kalkadoon.
 
The winning project "Web Pages for a Remote Community" involved Year 11 and 12 students studying Information Technology Systems. The students were required to work in groups to produce web sites or multimedia products for clients in the wider Mount Isa Community. The key focus of the project has been to provide real life opportunities to students as well as a unique service to the community.
 
The most innovative feature of the winning project is the use of real clients, rather than creating a simulated environment in the classroom. This allowed a joint focus on Information Technology and Communication Technology. To date, web sites and products have been produced for schools from Mornington Island to Doomadgee to local schools in Mount Isa and for community groups such as the local cycling club and dance club. Through a focus on the process of working with clients to develop an IT product, the project has ultimately been the vehicle for a much greater learning experience for Kalkadoon's students.
 
Acting Principal, Phil Sweeney said "This project is an example of Information and Communication Technology allowing education to provide a valuable service to the community and for the community to provide opportunities for students. Winning the award is the culmination of four year's work to integrate IT across the curriculum at Kalkadoon." Mr Sweeney also mentioned the contribution of Katerina Santillan, the current project coordinator, and Roger Atkins, the previous Principal who was instrumental in leading Kalkadoon's innovative ICT curriculum initiatives.

Kalkadoon State High School in Malaysia

Champions