§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the optional themes for 1997 Netd@ys projects; how many United Kingdom institutions submitted entries; and what were the final projects submitted by the UK. [45295]
§ Dr. HowellsThe main aims of the 1997 European Union Netd@ys project were to develop awareness-raising around existing electronic networks of schools; to use the Internet to promote the benefits of networking, and to implement up to 10 Internet-related projects in each EU member state. Applications for funding under the project were sent direct to the European Commission for consideration. Twenty-one projects were submitted from the United Kingdom and the following were awarded funding by the European Commission
UK Netday. A consortium of commercial suppliers promoting the use of the Internet to co-ordinate and encourage nationally the development of IT and network applications in schools.BBC Project. The use of TV in schools to publicise Netd@ys 97, including an on-line lesson and a quiz on European history.City of Leeds. Building on networks via the Internet use of video conferencing facilities to link up with contacts in the UK and EU.Devon Council. A project involving 32 schools extending their transitional partnerships through networking in order to disseminate educational practice and support teachers and trainers.Kent TEC. Developing a Kent Lifelong Learning Video-Conferencing Network and establishing a network of Multimedia Learning Centres based in schools.Birmingham ABC project. Extending an inner city network of schools in Birmingham both into the West Midlands region and to school networks in European countries. Live concert over the Internet given by children.Netdays in Scotland. Encouraging parents and teachers to learn about and understand the Internet, dissemination of package training on the Internet on CD ROM and holding a conference on multimedia projects.Netdays Europe in Northern Ireland. A series of events encouraging parents and teachers to learn about and understand the Internet.Window on the Future, Window on the World. A local competition designed for the children from the 46 primary schools in the Isle of Wight.Netdays @ Beacon Community College, East Sussex. Developing a community intranet with web pages co-operatively produced at the college by local businesses. European links established to exchange views on health related topics.In addition, the European Commission funded the costs of the former National Council for Educational Technology in co-ordinating the programme on behalf of the UK.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the state of planning for Netd@ys Europe 1998. [45294]
§ Dr. HowellsThis European Commission initiative will take place from 17 to 24 October 1998. The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA) has been appointed by my Department as the United Kingdom's national co-ordinator and its role includes the offering of advice and support to UK applicants who submit bids under the project. It is understood that the Commission has so far received 64 project proposals from the UK.