The School of Air

The School of Air was really really interesting to me. This was an organization where children in the outback and children who’s parents traveled a lot were able to get an education. They used to do it by radio but now they do it through the use of the internet. There are a handful of them around Australia but the one we went to had 116 students enrolled. Each student was given a computer, a microphone, and a webcam. Also, someone was sent to their house in order to install a satellite in order for them to actually receive internet. The school had people from 4 1/2 years old until grade 9. The younger kids had class for 40 minutes a day while the older kids had class for an hour. The teacher would sit in front of the webcam and give the lesson- there was 3 cameras- one that was set up to be right on the teacher, another one facing down on a whiteboard, and another one facing a bigger space where the teachers could do more activities (like PE) While we were there we were able to watch a lesson for preschool children. Each child had a button that said “talk” that they could press and it was kind of like raising their hand and when the teacher was ready to call on them she could bring up there webcam and they could talk. Also, there was a box where they could type questions or answers and send them in (like instant messaging) and it would show up on everyones computer. The teacher was required to visit each student 4 times and year and they also have a week every year where all the students come to Alice Springs and do their work there- at this time they are also allowed to meet their other classmates.