The firm collaborated with the school's administration to help implement an integrated approach to learning, which has seen eight of the computers donated to two control groups of students facing challenges in mathematics and English language.
In these groups, teachers will introduce new strategies, including the use of technology, in their day-to-day curriculum. The entire process, including students' performance, will be monitored and compared to other groups to measure effectiveness.
The presentation of computers, which took place last on December 1, is a new initiative spearheaded by Flow in partnership with the Rotary Club of Montego Bay Sunrise and Jamaica Labour Party candidate for East Central St James Edmund Bartlett. It is intended to provide an opportunity for students to hone their research skills and expand their educational capacity.
Doreth Chambers, principal of Spot Valley High, who received the computers, said the donation was timely.
"The existence of Internet and computers in our schools will open a whole range of bright and dynamic opportunities for both our students and our teachers," she said in a release to the media.
"I expect that the students will independently seek knowledge and understand it in new ways and that the teachers will experiment with learning and (as such), garner better results," Chambers added.
Bartlett agreed.
"This initiative by Flow to provide Internet connection and the appropriate hardware to facilitate e-learning is a most commendable and far-reaching input in our education process. The Spot Valley High School community, which is both fledging and impressionable, will be indelibly impacted by this technological input in their development," said the man who, up to recently, was Jamaica's minister of tourism.
"... I am acutely aware of the invaluable support that this gesture means to the students and faculty, as not only will their learning methods be enhanced, but the tools available to the teachers will be sharpened to achieve the quality education the community so richly needs," Bartlett added.
Although in existence for only five years, Spot Valley High boasts several achievements which include current enrolment of the first group of sixth-form students at the institution -- the only one of its kind in the area with a sixth-form programme. In recent months, the school has also made significant strides in its performance, excelling in the areas of culture and music.
However, Spot Valley High was considered for the donation after experiencing some significant challenges with resources for their new e-learning room.
The school is a beneficiary of Flow's flagship corporate social responsibility programme Building Leaders Through Technology, which facilitates the installation of complimentary high-speed Internet and educational cable TV throughout schools islandwide. The services are donated to schools free of cost in an effort to aid the teaching and learning process with technology.
"We live in a time where technology plays a key role in every area of our lives. Flow is committed to providing students and teachers with the best learning experience available, with access to advanced technologies. We are doing our part to ensure that each student has a fair opportunity to achieve their goals and dreams by providing these services," said Nicole Campbell, Flow's public relations executive.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/Spot-Valley-High-gets-IT-boost_10425615#ixzz1iNYSZ7NF
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