Multimedia tools for public exam preparation launched

Education Minister John Ottenheimer is pleased to announce today the launch of a ground-breaking online service that will assist high school students preparing to write public examinations.

"A series of multimedia learning clips were developed by practicing classroom teachers and have been designed to provide a thorough review to complement, not replace, in-class preparations for public examinations," said the minister.

The minister noted, "This is an exciting and innovative service that will benefit high school students throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This announcement is another demonstration that this province continues to be on the leading edge in its application of information and communication technology in education."

There are 50 to100 learning clips per course, each with a total running time of about eight minutes. This provides for hours of online review material available for: Biology 3201, English 3201, Earth Systems 3209, Core French 3200, Mathematics 3204/05, Physics 3204, World Geography 3202 and World History 3201.

"The learning clips are available online to students province-wide. Students will be able to access and use them from any location that has an Internet connection including schools, homes, public libraries, and CAP (Community Access Program) sites," said Minister Ottenheimer. The learning clips will typically range in size from five to eight megabytes and as such, dial-up connectivity will be sufficient for access.

Students wishing to take advantage of this free service can visit the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI) Web site at www.cdli.ca or the Department of Education Web site at www.gov.nl.ca/edu/ Previous CDLI Web site users may use existing login information. New users must obtain an account by clicking "request account" on the main CDLI page. The help desk will reply by e-mail with a username, pin number and password within one business day. Students can then browse, download and interact with the clips.

Plans are currently underway to expand this project and students can expect to see an increased slate of multimedia learning clips for supplementary study in coming school years.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media representatives only may contact the Communications Division of the Department of Education at (709) 729-0048 or (709) 729-1906 for a password to view the learning clips.

Media contact: Lynn Salter, Communications, (709) 729-0048

2004 06 09                                      10:05 a.m.