A need for high technology

Press, 5 October 1988, Page 43

A need for high technology

As well as the performing arts, Burnside High School needs to expand into high technology. Burnside’s principal, Mr John Godfrey, believes that high technology is important for today’s education, but schools do not get any Government funding to purchase computers or other necessary equipment. At present, the school has two classrooms for computers, separate computers for advanced mathematic students and a word processor in the typing room. It is expected that computers will soon be available in the library. Computers provide for a variety of educational needs. These range from teaching reading skills through to school administration. Burnside High School intends to set up a special high tech area. “We are aware where the world is going and we intend to keep in touch with it,” Mr Godfrey says The school is ideally located for high technology. Within the area there are highly specialised organisations such as Tait Electronics, Unisys Line, the University of Canterbury, and the Technology Park.

In the future, Burnsiide High School will produce a high percentage of the local university graduates and will, therefore, be in a position to expose people to new technology. “We can provide the basic knowledge and ex-

perience at the school. Students can then transfer this to specific jobs or to advanced learning,” Mr Godfrey says. As with the proposed school auditorium, a high tech area could also be used by the community

providing it was secure. Specialised high tech facilities are not generally available to the community. Such an area at Burnside High School could be useful for firm’s seminars as well as community education.