About Connections

Connections is a project of the NSW Department of Education & Training - Rural and Distance Education Unit (RDE). Utilising the developing videoconference network in selected NSW government schools and broadcasting via the NSW DET Wide Area Network, Connections is a unique programme that has been piloted over the past 2 years.

Connections began with HSC marking sessions for teachers and the State Library of NSW. RDE-DET entered into a partnership with the State Library, enabling the Connections team to install a videoconference camera at the library’s site to become the first “outside” internet connected camera allowing schools to tap into its expertise and extensive resources. This partnership provides programmes and Virtual Excursions to the State Library including:

Stage 3 HSIE events
Stage 6 English events
Antarctica journeys
First Fleet journals
Master writing courses by Australian award winning authors.

Since the State Library proof of concept pilot, other partnerships have been established. These national and international institutions include:

Australian National Museum
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Questacon
Anglo Australian Observatory – Siding Springs
The Premier’s Reading Challenge
Bell Shakespeare
Dubbo’s Western Plains Cultural Centre
Children’s Book Council of Australia
Primary English Teaching Association (PETA)
National Aeronautical Space Agency (NASA) in Houston, Texas.

In 2007, with the rapid increase of camera installations in NSW schools, and the publicity of the progamme’s recent successes, more and more schools have become aware of the Connections progamme and see it as an enhancement to many of their curriculum and professional development needs.