Improvements: Modernization of Teaching Conditions
Project Goal
We will finish the construction of two classrooms and furnish them with the requisite technical equipment in order to meet the criteria for contemporary, modern, multi-media teaching (PC systems, data projectors, other audio-visual technology, software, e-learning support, and internet connectivity). This task has already been completed at the Business Academy, which is one of our partners for this project, within the framework of establishing a regional education center using Joint Regional Operational Programme (JROP) resources. Using the existing computer training classrooms at the grant applicant’s school for other purposes has never been a possibility, as they have always been fully utilized for teaching technical subjects. It has thus become a necessity to construct and establish separate multi-medial language teaching facilities.
Implementation: November 2006-June 2008
Preparations for this key activity were already underway some time before the project actually started being implemented. The idea came first – modernizing our school and improving the quality of the language training we provide. The next step consisted of preparing the project and submitting the application for a grant from the European Social Fund (ESF). At the same time, resources from the school budget were used to construct a covered corridor, thus connecting the previously separate school building. (Visit the Photo Gallery – Preparations page to see how work progressed.) A decision was also made whereby two classrooms originally used as writing rooms would, due to a low level of use, be converted into modern classrooms for teaching foreign languages. Moneys from the school’s budget were used to purchase single-student desks (which can be combined in various group seating arrangements), swivel chairs and teacher’s desks (refer to the Classrooms – Autumn 2006 section of the web pages). A traditional headset-equipped language lab manufactured by PZK Krnov was installed in the first classroom. We decided to supplement this classroom with a multimedia center (PC, data projector, audio equipment, data projector, and multifunction printer/copier/scanner). The second classroom was to be equipped with student PCs, communication system and multimedia center. In November 2007, we looked into what the market has to offer. As the anticipated price exceeded the one million crown mark, we issued a call for bids that was published on the www.esfcr.cz website. At the same time, we had to request our statutory representative – the South Moravian Regional Council, to approve our investment goal. The tender process was not completed until April 2007 and AV Media was declared the winner. This company offers the SmartClass Symposium language teaching system manufactured by Robotel. This contemporary system allows individual workstations to be interconnected – both from the perspective of audio as well as video (e.g., teacher-student(s), student(s)-teacher, student(s)-student(s), various groups can be created, independent completion of a common task, and many others). The furniture for the classrooms was produced by Cypris, a Břeclav-based company, on the basis of a special order. (Refer to the Photo Gallery – Language Labs page). We will supplement the classrooms on a regular basis with additional teaching and methodological materials according to need and what the market has to offer.