Netbook Project

Back to:

The Netbook Project Trial

More than 340 schools from rural and regional Victoria and from Melbourne’s northern suburbs have been invited to take part in the Netbook Project trial.

A netbook will change how and when your child learns. At least 28 educational software programs will be loaded on to each netbook at no cost to parents. For details of the trial read the Netbook Project brochure (PDF - 880Kb) 

The types of activities that will become possible for your child include:

  • using the internet and encyclopaedia software for research
  • creating animation, movies and 3D designs
  • recording and editing photographs, sound or video
  • creating media-rich presentations
  • collaborating online with students locally, interstate or overseas.

Giving students access to a personal computer configured to the school network for use at school and at home creates more opportunities for them to learn.

Joint funding from the Victorian Government and parents will make it possible to provide netbooks for every student in selected year levels at these schools.

Parents will contribute $52 a year to lease a netbook for student use at school and home. Basic insurance, warranties and technical support are included in the cost.

Parents, students and schools will be required to sign a User Agreement setting out their rights and responsibilities in relation to the computers. The Government is investing in additional Wireless Access Points (WAPs) at participating schools, ensuring adequate wireless coverage for each student using a netbook. Schools will also receive a grant to cover the cost of cabling these WAPs into existing school networks. 

Back to Top

Who's involved in the Netbooks Trial?

Government schools in the following DEECD Regions participating in the trial are:

  • Barwon South West
  • Grampians
  • Loddon Mallee
  • Northern Metropolitan.