Digital technology as a development tool for education

Schools' IT technology investments account for 40% of the City's budget. All the schools have high speed internet access and each classroom has at least one computer. A server allowing networking cooperation between teachers and an ever more efficient internet filtering were installed in each school. In 2010, more than 200 new computers and printers have been handed over to the schools. Two thirds of the computer equipment and the totality of the printers has thus been renewed in the schools of Issy. ■

Microsoft was looking for "innovative schools" ready to reflect on their teaching methods and the place of new technologies in education. Issy-les-Moulineaux therefore came to an agreement with the Chartreux school. This school thus tested a new model of mobile classroom using slate-type PC with built-in web cam. These touch screen PCs are very user friendly and can be used like a slate or a digital blackboard*. Two interactive digital blackboards have also been installed: one in the 1st and 2nd year of primary school classrooms and one in the 3rd to 5th year of primary school classrooms.More than 10,000 children are attending one of the various schools in Issyles-moulineaux. The city hosts 19 kindergartens (2,600 pupils) ans 16 primary school (3,600 pupils), 5 middle schools (2,400 pupils) and 2 high school (1,400 pupils). Education represents nearly 15% of the Municipality budget. ■

The average number of computers per class is as high as 2.5 in primary schools and 1.5 in kindergartens. Some schools are equipped with multimedia classrooms. 7 primary schools (Robert Doisneau,Voltaire,Anatole France,Jules Ferry, les Chartreux, le Colombier, SaintGermain) have a mobile classroom (16 Laptops, including one for the teacher, a video projector and a laser printer all linked through WiFi) which allows for interactive activities with the pupils. Aware of the importance of technology, the City installed the new computer tools required for the success of the youth. ■

*the Interactive Digital Blackboard (IDB) is a white board hanged on the classroom wall on which are projected images from the teacher's laptop.