Top speeds on the superhighway

STUDENTS at Noble Park Special Development School can now surf the information superhighway at blistering speeds.
Mulgrave MP Daniel Andrews this week announced the special needs school was connected to a high-speed four megabit broadband Internet connection, 16 times faster than a conventional connection.
The school, which caters for students with mild to severe intellectual disabilities, will benefit from the immediate response time generated by the lighting-fast broadband, according to principal Jackie Lowther.
“The broadband will enable students to much more quickly download educational games and programs,” she said.
“Our students are getting a quicker response (while surfing), which is much better for engaged learning.”
Mr Andrews said the school’s broadband, installed in early term four last year, was part of the State Government’s $89.3 million VicSmart network which has been set aside to provide state schools with a minimum of a two megabit broadband connection by the end of 2006 and about 40 per cent of schools with a four megabit connection also by the end of the year.
The technological rollout is in conjunction with Telstra and involves the laying of fibre optic cable to enable the increased speeds.
“Students at Noble Park Special Development School will benefit immediately from a 16 times increase in internet speed and be able to access exciting new learning opportunities, including access to new interactive learning materials and collaboration with students and experts in other schools and around the world,” he said.
“This initiative provides young people with intellectual and physical disabilities the resources and skills to build a better future.”