All secondary school teachers and paraprofessionals from the public education system had their computer skills tested when they attended information technology workshops last week

The XL/Bermuda Education Initiative, in conjunction with the Ministry for Education and Development and the Bermuda Union of Teachers, organised the intensive training for more than 160 teachers from Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy.

The XL/Bermuda Initiative has been working with the University of Virginia and Stanford University to integrate technology into their core disciplines and to create a world-class computer science curriculum for Bermuda pupils.

The aim of the partnership with the universities is to ensure that pupils have the most relevant and up-to-date computer training when they graduate to meet business needs.

However, not until last Friday had staff at the two senior schools been given the opportunity to receive the same cutting edge computer training from the universities.

And additional training sessions for the future will ensure that teachers at Cedarbridge Academy and the Berkeley Institute will be able to provide Bermuda students with the best technology enhanced education in a variety of subjects.

Maxine Esdaille, senior education officer at the Education Ministry, said: "The Ministry is pleased and excited about the involvement of all senior school teachers in technology training over these two days.

"Teachers are receiving a variety of training opportunities based on their skill and interest level.

"The object of these workshops is to give teachers practical information about how to use technology in their day to day classroom and lesson planning activities."

The workshops at the end of last week were taught by both university representatives and teachers from across the Island who have already undergone several training sessions with the Stanford and Virginia colleges in computer skills and how to apply it to other areas, such as math.

Dr. Joe Garofalo, of the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia, said he was delighted to see teachers being able to pass on their knowledge to colleagues.

He said: "We are really excited that a number of senior school mathematic teachers now have the expertise to conduct workshops for their colleagues.

"One of our goals for this project has been to help teachers take leadership roles in the area of technology. We are now reaching this goal."

President of the XL Foundation Gavin Arton said he believed well-trained teachers would lead to improved learning for students.

He said: "We are delighted to see so many teachers participating in a programme being taught by our own teachers - the ultimate proof that our programme of developing capacity and leadership from within is working and will continue to expand. It is very gratifying.

"We continue to be pleased with the impact the initiative has had on improving the whole education process in Bermuda, for the benefit of all Bermuda."