LAUNCH

AFTER nine months of hard work and preparation, the culmination of a unique sponsorship project involving the Isle of Man Govern- ment Department of Education and Manx Telecom was unveiled at Sulby primary School.

The Computer Bus is a state-of-the-art mobile classroom, which will visit all of the Island’s 35 primary schools, under the supervision of Alex Townsend, the former head of Information and Communications Technology at St.Ninian’s High School. Secondary schools are also set to benefit from the project with the Com- puter Bus able to support special projects like field trips to remote locations on

the Island.

Speaking at the launch of the Computer Bus, Manx Telecom’s Managing Director Ron Thomas said, “The development of communications technology is advancing rapidly and its applications are becoming an integral part of everyday life. It is therefore essential, for the continued prosperity of the Island, that the required skills are developed in our schools for the workforce of tomorrow. The Computer Bus is an ideal medium to ensure that communications skills are developed at an early age.”

The bus is the first of its kind in the British Isles and its main objective is to compliment the existing Information Technology and Communications resources available in local schools.

The computer bus delivers exciting sessions to pupils in a carefully planned partnership with their teachers. Manx Telecom has ensured that the bus is equipped with all the latest communications technology, which allows access to the Internet, e-mail and videoconferencing links using high-speed digital ISDN lines.

At the end of the school day, teachers are invited back on board to refine their skills in ICT.

The transformation of the twenty-one-year-old former Isle of Man Transport single decker into the futuristic Computer Bus has been truly astounding. The vehicle now contains 20 Apple Mac G3 computers with flat screen AppleStudio Dis- play monitors all linked up to the very latest telecommunications hardware.

The colourful exterior, painted by Eric Quirk, was adapted by Des Clague of the Creative Studio from designs submitted by Isle of Man College Art students

“Manx Telecom’s expertise in the field of communications makes the venture a perfect opportunity for the company to support Education within the Manx community.”

Speaking on behalf of the Department of Education, John Thornley, Adviser for ICT commented: “This project is an important part of our strategy to maintain the highest teaching and learning standards in our schools as well as providing a means of responding rapidly to the very latest technological developments.”