INTRODUCTION 1999
PHEW!! What a year!! Who would have thought that the Manx Telecomputer Bus would have been such a stunning success! “We knew it would be good—but not this good!” said Alex Townsend, ICT Advisory Teacher whose role encompasses just about every aspect of the Computer Bus operation.
Since its launch almost a year ago, the Manx Telecomputer Bus has become a common sight around the Island, and has risen to international fame and acclaim. It has been to 37 schools (some as many as six times), and children from nursery to sixth formers have used its facilities. Over 5000 children have passed though the doors for an unforgettable experience, some spending as long as a full day on board the hi-tech transport.
It has played host to innumerable teacher training sessions, preparing staff for the NGFL strategy, been involved in secret trials for American communications giant Oracle (see opposite) and even taken time off to visit Earls Court to star at the front of the Tomorrow’s World Live Exhibition.
Unique
“What makes our Computer Bus unique, is that it has so many computers.” says Mr Townsend. “Other computer buses have maybe just six machines, whilst ours is capable of swallowing up an entire class or whole school staff, with over 20 computers on board. This makes the Island’s computer bus an effective means of delivering real ICT training to both students and staff.”
“Variety is one of the most appealing aspects of working on the Computer Bus. One day we can be outside a town-centre school on the side of a busy street, the next day we can be located in an idyllic playground, surrounded by beautiful scenery! We may be doing paint graphics with reception children, twenty four hours later with sixth formers working on A-level art projects as happened recently at Castle Rushen High School.”
Destination The Future
So what of the future for the Computer Bus? Focus of the next twelve months will be to actively support the new National Grid for Learning installed in Manx Schools offering on-site on-line training for students and staff, as technology enters the next Millennium...
READ MORE...
CLICK on the thumbnails below to read more about the eventful first year of the computer bus, as published in the first year review...
