Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Parents and any other interested members of the public are invited to take part in what's being called a technology field trip at the upcoming Yk1 School Board town hall meeting, scheduled for March 6 at Mildred Hall School.

Yk1 School Board vice-chair John Stephenson says the technology field trip is the first of his term. - NNSL file photo

"It was a staff suggestion," said John Stephenson, vice chair of the Yk1 board of trustees.

Stephenson said it's important to understand the tools the students are using because technology changes at such a rapid pace.

"They're using laptops, tablets and there are Smart Boards in every classroom, so those are some of the tools that would be shared with parents," said Stephenson.

"There are online tools and services that are used and this is an opportunity for parents to discover them. It's like anything, if you actually do something physical, the evidence is you learn better."

Stephenson said the goal is also to stimulate discussion by experimenting with the technology.

It's an opportunity for parents to ask questions as they arise, instead of possibly struggling to help their children at home, he added.

While Stephenson admitted there are pros and cons to the increased use of technology, there is no way around it because it's the way business is conducted now and students need to be exposed to it.

The meeting will also focus on how academic achievement could be improved.

Stephenson said board members have tried to make the meeting as accessible as possible to the public. Childcare is available on site so parents don't have to scramble and find a babysitter in order to attend.

"We want to hear their ideas and what they have to say," said Stephenson.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.