Marie-Ève Thérien
When he sold some equipment to three Akwesasne schools, Mark Gareau, Manager of the University of Ottawa’s Multimedia Distribution Service, had no idea that he would be opening new horizons for the province’s Native students.
In January, Mr. Gareau had an opportunity to visit Kanatakon School near Cornwall, where Claude Pike, a University of Ottawa graduate (Bachelor of Sociology, 2002) who worked at the Multimedia Distribution Service while studying there, teaches grade eight geography and history.
“While working at the centre, I saw how technology can improve teaching. When I inherited the multimedia classroom project at Kanatakon, I immediately asked Mark if we could buy some equipment that the University of Ottawa was no longer using.
“During my visit to Kanatakon, the enthusiasm of the students for their new work tools was palpable. They showed me their computer and projector projects with evident expertise and pleasure,” said Mark Gareau.
Claude Pike uses a projector in his class to spark his students’ interest in history and geography. It helps him make connections between assigned chapters and put historical events into context. Mr. Pike feels his students are much more interested in these subjects now. He added that the students are eager to learn and classroom participation is up.
“I want my students to realize that, just like reading and writing, technology-assisted learning opens an important door to knowledge. When they go on the Internet, they fine-tune their research methods and access a wealth of information,” said Mr. Pike.
Mark Gareau is impressed by the work of his former colleague. “Although the equipment sold to the three Akwesasne schools had come to the end of the life cycle anticipated by the University, Claude has salvaged it so that these computers and projectors can keep on contributing to the learning experience in other Ontario classrooms.”
