Press release:

 

EUROPEAN SCHOOLS PROJECT

9TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

CAMBRIDGE, MARCH 95

 

The project met in the UK for the last time this century in Cambridge. In the space of five years numbers have increased from three countries and four schools in the pilot to twenty-six countries and over two hundred schools. Eighteen countries sent delegates including four teachers from Japan who have increased the representation from the East threefold.

 

The main thrust of the conference was to explore the use of the Internet in the classroom. Particular attention was paid to the use of the World Wide Web, WWW, which has gained much media attention. This is a vast resource waiting to be tapped. But how can you bring this material into the classroom? We have a debt of thanks to the University of Cambridge which made their main computer facility available for a whole day. The sight of 100 teachers all busily "surfing" the net was a sight to behold. The instructors came from the Education Department of the Netherlands, the ORT union in London, and two English teachers.

 

This was essentially a practical session. We were able to show teachers that even a small primary school could have its information on WWW. Low Bentham County Primary must have received a pleasant surprise on Monday. Several countries had signed their visitors book. We also discovered that a secondary school 7 miles from Cambridge had its address on the Web. Lets get some Kent schools on.

 

This is a great tool. It is not possible to use it in a worthwhile way without a fast modem. But as a resource for schools it is very valuable. Whereas a cd rom once bought can be used regularly, but not kept up to date, the WWW material is very instant. Almost frighteningly so. Teachers in all curriculum areas can use this system. More importantly, by using the Internet we can all keep in touch with colleagues.

 

For the main purpose of ESP, to foster class to class activities, flourishes. We downloaded 61 messages with project proposals at the start of the conference. By the end of April this should be available via the University of Amsterdam.

 

No, you don't have to fly out to Holland. An emai1 message is all you require. Ask me in the Summer if you are interested in working with colleagues from other countries.

 

David Marchant

National Co-ordinator of ESP for the UK