Posted August 2008 Bootcamp brings ICT to students in remote communities
		Despite being broadcast over 1000 kilometres away in Cairns, the latest Virtual Technology Bootcamp brought students from remote Cape York communities together in a fun and exciting ICT learning experience.

Indigenous Education project officer – Smart Classrooms and Bootcamp organiser Theresa Feletar communicated with students from Northern Peninsula Area College (NPAC) in Bamaga and Injinoo and Western Cape College in Weipa and Mapoon via streaming video and blogs.

Ms Feletar says one of the main benefits of the Bootcamp is that it enables students from remote communities to participate without leaving the school grounds. "Students in Cape York communities are not usually able to attend Bootcamp held in Cairns because of the cost of travel to and from their home communities. Now, with online communication tools via the Learning Place and Smart Classrooms initiatives, we are able to deliver a full program of academic, physical and teamwork challenges facilitated from Cairns and Brisbane."

Weipa Bootcamp coordinator John Weidon says the program introduces students to a whole new concept of teaching. "The delivery of teaching from specialist teachers who were almost 1000 kilometres away was a fantastic experience," he says. "It opened the door to the delivery of quality information and teaching to rural and isolated areas without the inconvenience of travel, time accommodation and high expenses."

The Virtual Technology Bootcamp is a collaboration between Smart Classrooms, Cairns School of Distance Education, Cairns Learning Development Centre, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and Cape York school teachers and administrators. It is aimed at students from Years 5 to 8 from state schools in the Cape district who are interested in ICT, have a great school attendance record and demonstrate excellent behaviour.

During the three-day workshop, students are given the opportunity to enhance their ICT skills, personal strengths and leadership skills through a series of fun and exciting technological, personal and physical challenges. Activities include digital recording, animations, digital art, web searching, web camera use, code cracking and interactive team games.

After the Bootcamp, the skills and knowledge acquired by the students and teachers continue to be supported in the classroom by Remote Area Teacher Education Program (RATEP) teachers who participate in their own fast-paced ICT workshops at Cairns TAFE prior to the camp. The next Virtual Technology Bootcamps will be held at Lockhart and Coen from 5 - 7 August 2008 and Pormpuraaw from 13 - 15 August 2008.

For more information email Theresa Feletar or visit the Virtual Technology Bootcamp website.