PHILIPSBURG--United Telecommunications Services (UTS) marked World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Tuesday by committing to support eight Catholic schools with high-speed broadband Internet through its CaribServe Internet service.
Each school, UTS said, will be provided with a 10-Megabyte-per-second (10MBPS) connection to assist them in their aim of educating their students. “With technology playing a bigger role in the classroom than ever before, the need for a robust, high-speed connection is more important than ever,” UTS said in a press release. “Increased usage of technology also requires a more robust, reliable connection, which is the reason CaribServe will be providing a connection of 10Mbps.”
The eight schools are located in Cul de Sac, South Reward, Middle Region, Philipsburg and Simpson Bay. UTS said this means that children from many households will have the benefit of the increase in Internet speed at their respective schools.
“What better occasion than World Telecommunication Day, and who better than CaribServe to assist these schools in achieving their goal of providing a well-rounded, engaging and interactive educational experience,” UTS Marketing and Communication Officer Ivy Lambert said in the release.
She said with the introduction of the Digi-board and other technological learning tools, education has become a much more interactive experience. “Even in the earliest stages of education, kids are now learning in a more interactive and visual way. The youngest generation handles technology and devices as if it is second nature to them, so it only makes sense to use technology as a tool in learning as well.
“I can speak to the added value of technology in the classroom from personal experience as well. Not only does it support learning in the classroom; Apps like ClassDojo allow parents to stay informed of classroom activities, monitor performance, behaviour and communicate with the teacher directly during the school day.
“Information on homework assignments is also easily disseminated through this App. You have a direct line to your child’s teacher and vice-versa through your smartphone or computer. That added line of communication and information helps parents continue the learning at home as well.”
Lambert said UTS was already providing its technology to support several other schools as part of the Digikidz initiative. Digikidz uses a combination of tablets, digital school boards and other technological learning tools to provide classroom, individual and group-based learning with a strong emphasis on and supported by technology. “The programme is already up and running at two primary schools on the island and has been deemed a great success by educators and students...”
The programme is ongoing at Hillside Christian School Asha Stephens Campus and the Seven Day Adventist School in Cole Bay. Hillside Christian School H. Snijders campus will also be added to the programme. “The programme is a fully- managed IT-environment that depends heavily on a high-quality Internet connection beyond the basic connection most schools have.”
UTS Eastern Caribbean Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Glen Carty said the programme is “very successful in engaging students, and we commend veteran educator Jose Sommers and her team of Foresee Foundation on the hard work and dedication in implementing the programme. Our partnership is a recipe for success with more collaboration to come in the future,” Carty said.
UTS urged the populace to let the company help them use technology to improve their life. “So many things are possible, but maybe you’re not sure how something works or need help setting up some of the features of your smartphone. Maybe you want try our new mobile Internet, because you’ve heard it’s the fastest on the island, or maybe you had trouble setting up an App or service.
Technology helps connect you to the things and people that matter to you and we’re here to help you with that, if needed,” it was stated in the release. UTS can be reached at tel. 588-1010, by email at [email protected]/* */ or through Facebook at ChippieSXM.
Source: Daily Herald
UTS to give eight Catholic schools high-speed Internet
