11 Oct 2011
Creative use of technology at Oberon High School is creating a range of exciting opportunities for our students. Two Oberon students, Dean Jones and Josie Schmitz are having their academic and creative skills stretched through enrolment in the Xsel Western Region Virtual Selective High School. This is an initiative of Western Region Public Schools, and caters for gifted and talented students who gain entry by completing a NSW Selective Schools Entrance test. The school commenced in 2010 and now caters for 60 Year 7 and 8 students and will progress to Year 12 over the next few years.
Dean and Josie study their English, Maths and Science with "pods" of about 10 students, connected together with their teacher using laptop computers. Work is emailed between the teacher and student, with live interactive discussions taking place between teacher and students. At the end of each term, students meet in Dubbo to complete sporting, social and academic activities to support their learning.
Dean says he finds the program interesting and challenging while Josie has been in the program for her second year and has achieved very good results through Xsel.