Welcome to Celebrte:E2BN@ten

How many of you remember a time when schools had a dial up link or at best an ISDN connection? A time before wireless networks, blogging, laptops in schools, Wikipedia, texting, mobile phones with cameras and internet access, interactive whiteboard and filtering? 10 years ago, when E2BN began, many of these things were in their infancy or were yet to be invented.

Since 1999 we have come a long way. We have seen numerous educational and technological initiatives from Government. The School’s Broadband initiative has been hugely successful and is probably the only Government project that has been delivered on time and within budget, thanks to collaboration between Local Authorities and schools via RBCs.

So we all are part of the most successful Government ICT project in recent times!

E2BN has invested in developing online learning resources, materials and support for schools around the region. A number of these E2BN resources have attracted support from Government and international recognition. Over the next few years E2BN will be working with local authority staff to procure and install a new, resilient high bandwidth network fit for the demands of 21st Century learning. We will also be working with teachers and advisers to refine and improve our current online learning resources and we will of course be looking for new and exciting e-learning opportunities to develop on your behalf. We are also planning to provide opportunities for learners to have a greater say in directing E2BN learning resource development and will of course continue to maintain a safe and secure educational network.

I would like to thank everyone who contributes to this event, especially our commercial partners -don’t forget to visit them in the exhibition halls, as without their support the conference would not be possible. I am sure that you will find this year’s conference both interesting and helpful. Have a good two days.

Kind Regards
Chris