Launch of Interactive White Board Project

(Deputy Minister of Education Hon. M.Satchithananthan, Minister of Education Hon.A.D.Susil Premajayantha,Mr.Terry Warson, International Channel Manager, SMART technologies,Mr.G.M. Niel Gunadsa and other guests at the official Launch of Interactive white board project.)

ICT has been introduced to Sri Lankan curriculum around four years ago. Since then several physical and human resources were supplied to the school Education system in order to the enhancement of ICT Education and using ICT as a tool for teaching learning process. H.E. the president has declared this year as the “Year of English and IT” and Ministry of Education has planned several innovative projects to be introduced to school system.

The concept of the Interactive White Board first shown in the “Moving Young Minds” world ministerial conference which is a world largest technology exhibition and conference held in England 2007.After hearing the necessary steps taken to the strengthening ICT Education in Sri Lanka, “SMART technologies” in Canada generously donated 10 white boards to Sri Lanka to implement this technology as a pilot project. One school each is selected from every province and one white board is donated to the Ruwanpura ICT dedicated National College of Education in Kahawatte. “SMART technologies” not only provided White boards , but also send trainers from India last year for the training on usage and content development for Interactive white boards. Selected team from the above schools and National level content development team has undergone the training and already developed electronic content to be used in White board.

The official launch of Interactive white board project was held on 27^th February 2009 at Royal College, Colombo7; where one of the schools which received white board. The chief guest was Minister of Education Hon. Susil Premajayanth. Deputy Minister of Education Hon. M.Satchithananthan and Mr.Terry warson, International Channel Manager of SMART technologies were the guest of honors.

Guests were welcomed by Mr.Niel Gunadasa, Director (ICT) and Mr.S.U.Wijerathana, Additional secretary, Ministry of Education stated the objectives of the event and importance of the project. Hon. Minister said that he is glad to launch the project in the Year of English and IT and explained that ICT Branch Ministry of Education has planned IT literacy project has been planned to train teachers who did not get any form of ICT training. The training is expected to give during weekends using school ICT laboratories with out harming the normal school work. “One Laptop per Child project” provides student owned laptops to Primary Grades and establishment of ICT dedicated National college of Education to commemorate the “Year of English and IT”. Further Hon. Minister stated that the Ministry established Hardware and Network solution team as the only providing equipment will not cause the sustainable development in ICT Education and appreciated effort made by all officers, principals, teachers and students.

Mr. Upali Gunasekara, Principal, Royal College delivered the vote of thanks.

Three lessons were demonstrated by Mrs. G.A.P.K.Kumari of Mahamaya B.M.V, Kandy, Mrs. D.P.Jaysinghe of Furguson High School, Rathnapura and Mr. Ranga Ekanayaka of Ruwanpura National College of Education, Kahawatte during this event using Interactive white board. Aesthetic items presented by Maliyadeva B.M.V., Kandy and Mahamaya B.M.V., Kandy make the audience spellbound. Officers from ministry of Education, Principals, teachers and students of selected schools for Interactive White board Project, Guests from various government and private organizations, members of the Hardware and content development team were among the participants.

(A teacher from Mahamaya B.M.V ,Kandy demonstrate a lesson using interactive white board)

(Hon. Minister of Education presenting a plaque to Mr.Terry Warson as a token of gratitude.)