Educational Foundation in the Eastern Townships of Quebec receives $66,300 from SMART Technologies Inc.
SMART Board interactive whiteboards help create 21st-Centrury classrooms to reach over 7,000 students
MAGOG, QUEBEC --- MAY 26, 2006 --- The Eastern Townships Educational Foundation (ETEF) announced today that it has received a technology donation valued up to $66,300 (Can) from SMART Technologies Inc., the Canadian company recognized as the global education market leader in interactive whiteboards and group collaboration technology. The ETEF is supporting the initiative of the Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) to merge the latest in computer technology with teaching techniques to enhance English public education in 29 schools within the Eastern Townships of Quebec. The donation from SMART represents 30 SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards - the cornerstone technology for the creation of 21st-Century classrooms - for some 7,000 students in the system. The Enhanced Learning Strategy (ELS) of the Eastern Townships School Board is the first of its kind in North America but has yet to receive direct Government funding.
The ELS Project is often referred to as a national pilot project in the introduction of computer technology into classrooms in the public education system. The project supplies individual laptop computers to all students from the 3rd to the 11th grades. In addition, this first-of-its-kind initiative in Canada brings to rural schools within a minority-language community the opportunity to connect to the four corners of the world with the click of a button; this is a welcome development in communities that find themselves distanced from contemporary urban life. By being able to access information from sources in different parts of North America and beyond, and by connecting the teacher and the student in constant dialogue, this project has the potential to nurture a pedagogical relationship that sometimes is lacking in intensity and diversity. For students with special needs, up-to-date laptop technology can overcome learning deficiencies and support the learning process, allowing students to progress along with their peers.
“A technology donation of this magnitude is a significant step forward for our Foundation and a great boost for the ELS Project,” says Marc Lamarche Executive Director of the ETEF. “SMART has demonstrated exemplary leadership in education and we are very appreciative of the company’s commitment to excellence in education.”
“SMART is proud to contribute to this significant initiative led by the Eastern Townships Educational Foundation. We are committed to education and the use of SMART products for the advancement of teaching and learning,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s president and Co-CEO. “The Eastern Townships Educational Foundation and the Eastern Townships School Board are taking significant steps forward by embracing technology to provide higher quality education and teaching standards. The 7,000 students and teachers stand to benefit greatly from these efforts.” Four SMART Board interactive whiteboards are designated for Knowlton Academy, the Alma Mater of Ms. Knowlton.
The Eastern Townships Educational Foundation is proud to be a part of this innovative project in its continuing effort to promote English public education in the Eastern Townships.
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Contact:
Eastern Townships Education Foundation SMART Technologies Inc.
Marc Lamarche Marina Geronazzo
Executive Director Manager, Public Relations 819 847-2047 403 802-2558 819 847-2076 MarinaGeronazzo@smarttech.com
marc.lamarche@etef.org www.smarttech.com
www.etef.org