A reform that started on America's West Coast has driven east and is changing Bermuda's education system, bridging information technologies to the core disciplines. Under a pilot programme launched last year by XL Insurance, in co-operation with University of Virginia, Stanford University and Boston College, teachers and students learn skills through workshops, seminars and trips. Participants are taught how to learn and teach the core disciplines like math, science, history, chemistry and English, in the context of information technology. Executive director of the `Bermuda Education Initiative', Diane Miller said simple logic applies to the programme. "Take a 17th century doctor and put them in a twentieth century operating room -- they wouldn't have a clue what to do. "Take a teacher from the same time period and put them into a classroom -- they'll know exactly what do.'' She said that while education has failed to keep up with technology -- education itself remains a constant. Gerry Swan Jr, a Bermudian attending the Instructional Technology programme at University of Virginia and an instructor in the Education Initiative, agreed that education is not on the forefront of technology. He recently lead a seminar on the programme at CedarBridge Academy. "We wouldn't think of saying to patients, `No, you can't have X-rays, MRI and CAT scans because they are out of the budget. "But that will happen for computers and overhead projectors.'' Mr. Swan, a graduate of Purvis Primary and Berkeley Institute, said a school like CedarBridge has `incredible' resources, but they could be better harnessed to enhance learning. "Great teachers are great teachers, but they can do more for the students.'' He argues computerisation and information technology are part of the here and now, and therefore should be part of a practical education. The Internet is such an interactive part of life and can be used to fuel education,'' he said. "A lot of it comes down to practicality. There's tons of different learning vehicles out there. In education, it's what can you do versus what you are expected to do.'' In the recent workshops at CedarBridge and Berkeley, teachers were shown how to merge technology with the core disciplines. "Even in physical education,'' said Mr. Swan, "Showing plays and techniques.'' He said in the sciences, things are particularly confusing but: "Show them the action, make it interactive. There's different things that are really abstract.'' He demonstrated by showing an computer-developed video image of how Earth crosses an asteroid's dust trail, creating meteors.

The teachers were shown how to make similar images for everyday class.

IT's back to the basics for educators Speaking at a Lion's Club luncheon earlier this month, executive director Diane Miller said the Education Initiative started off as a small idea, which grew from a search for partners, eventually leading to Stanford University and University of Virginia.

Inquiries at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), found they designed a similar but short-lived programme in Costa Rica and had critical experience in developing a larger, sustainable programme.

MIT assisted in the earlier phases of the programme.

But critics said teaching the students skills in computer science, without maintaining a sustainable environment, was a waste of resources.

Professionals were aware any group of students would lose their edge since the teachers and education administrators were, more than likely, less aware of technology than their students.

So the Initiative searched for a method of educating teachers in applying technology in the classroom, promoting student-use and driving an IT education.

"We found the Curry Centre to teach core disciplines using technology'', said Ms Miller.

The University of Virginia's Curry School of Education is a highly regarded centre for fusing the core disciplines to emerging technologies, helping to break down a wall of `technophobia' within the education profession.

"It is paramount and fundamental we overcome these sorts of feelings. We are all very short of IT professionals and the computer science curriculum that was designed and written now exceeds US standards.'' The programme's final goals include students graduating with professional operating system and programming certifications, as well as providing summer jobs with computer giants like Microsoft.

"This isn't about computers, this is about handling of information. It now has its own mandate. The Internet has won.'' She said the development stages for globalisation and global e-commerce is over and Bermuda needs people who can handle the growth of IT on the Island.

Meanwhile the programme is constantly developing; several teachers have recently returned from a computer science seminar at Stanford University.

The teachers, from CedarBridge, Berkeley and Sandys Middle School, learned how to work with computer science curriculum, including teaching new methods, workshops and discussions.

Pat Callender of the Bermuda Education Department and XL Education Initiative's programme co-ordinator, Zephora Haddon-Harris, also attended.

Ms Miller said: "It is no longer a question or an option. We are trying to educate the community, the village and the country.

"This is a sound business investment. This is the time that Bermuda can take the education initiative forward.''