A new web portal will take students and teachers directly to a number of iconic Australian institutions through a partnership developed between Virtual Excursions Australia and arts, cultural, science and education organisations.
Minister Assisting for Innovation and Industry and the Digital Economy Senator Kate Lundy today launched Virtual Excursions Australia (VEA) at the Interactive Technology in Education Conference (ITEC 2013) at the Sydney Opera House.
“The Virtual Excursions web portal is an initiative that will help transform education in Australia and ensure it is an experience that goes far beyond the traditional classroom walls,” said Senator Lundy.
“Not all locations are accessible to all students, all of the time and virtual excursions allow classrooms to be transported to some of Australia’s most important arts, cultural, science, and education institutions.
“There are some fantastic institutions across Australia that have joined the program to open their virtual doors to classrooms, including the Australian Museum, Sydney Opera House, and Questacon.
“The Virtual Excursions project will be particularly useful for those in regional and rural Australia where research has found that for people in regional centres the relative cost of excursions ranges from 20 to 100 per cent higher than in capital cities. For students in remote areas that figure can be 200 to 500 per cent higher.
“The Rudd Government’s National Broadband Network is facilitating projects like this and as the NBN continues to be rolled-out across Australia access and availability of these types of programs will continue to grow.
“Teachers will have access to tools to book and plan virtual excursions through the Virtual Excursions Australia website which acts as a portal for teachers wanting information about video conferencing events and content providers.
“I applaud Virtual Excursions Australia and the instiutions involved who are helping to bring the classroom of the future to students today,” said Senator Lundy.
More information: www.virtualexcursionsaustralia.com.au
www.sydneyoperahouse.com/ITEC2013.aspx
