School Management

Ultranet in Schools

 

back to top

What is the Ultranet?

The Ultranet is an intuitive student-centred electronic learning environment that supports high quality learning and teaching, connects students, teachers and parents and enables efficient knowledge transfer.

The Ultranet will help to improve student learning, support the work of teachers, enable the Department to better support Victorian government schools, and enhance active partnerships with parents.

The Ultranet will provide a complete online learning environment in which parents, students and teachers can create, access and share curriculum content, collaborate in learning activities and record progress against individual learning plans/goals.

The Ultranet will complement the classroom environment allowing access anytime, anywhere and support both distance and multi-site learning.

The Ultranet will be the school’s knowledge management framework that will allow educators and parents to make informed and intelligent decisions that more effectively support the learning and growth of Victorian students.

back to top

Why have an Ultranet?

To prepare our future generations for their challenges ahead, the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is embarking on a project called the Ultranet.  The Ultranet will enhance and support learning and teaching for students of the digital age.  It will also create the opportunity for parents to be more connected to the school community and their child’s learning.

The Department understands that to prepare students for the innovation and knowledge economy of the 21st century, schools must readily provide students with access to information and communications technology (ICT) environments that increase their participation, engagement and achievement in education. Progressive and effective integration of ICT into education planning and delivery is needed.

back to top

When is the Ultranet coming?

The Ultranet will be delivered to all Victorian government school by the end of Term 3, 2010.

back to top

How can schools prepare for the Ultranet?

1.  Understand the benefits of the Ultranet

  •  The school leadership develops an understanding of Ultranet functionality and the benefits of using the Ultranet.
  •  Leadership raises awareness of Ultranet

2.  Make links with Annual Implementation Planning

  •  When developing school planning documents including Annual Implementation Plans and Principal and Teacher Performance Plans, connections are made with how the Ultranet can support achievement of the school's goals and priorities.

3.  Review school infrastructure 

  •  The SIPS (School ICT Progression Strategy) roadmap and eLearning Plan have been reviewed and updated.  The school's Edustar rating is at least 3.
  •  The school has a fleet of contemporary computers (less than 4 years of age).
  •  Infrastructure is upgraded so that the network is reliable and performs adequately. (Network should run at a minimum of 100mbps in a switched environment).
  •  All computers are running software / browsers compatible with the Ultranet - Internet Explorer 7+, Mozilla Firefox 3.0.6/10+, Safari 3.22+, Adobe Flash 9+ plug-in and JRE plug-in.
  •  Plans are in place to ensure all classroom ICT devices have network connectivity through an appropriate mix of wired and wireless infrastructure.
  •  Plans are in place for ICT equipment to be readily available throughout the school for staff and student use (consider learning space design and equitable access across year levels).

4.  Ensure CASES21 data is ready for the Ultranet

  •  The key fields of student name, parent details, home-group and year level codes are defined and consistently entered into CASE21.  (see chapters 2 & 3 in the User Guide)

5.  Ultranet deployment, implementation and professional learning is considered in 2010 planning

  •  The school leadership develops an understanding of the Ultranet deployment process and establishes clear
  •  Confirm deployment and professional learning key dates with your region (information available in December 2009).
  •  Determine the key people involved in Ultranet implementation.

 

back to top

More information

For more information about the Ultranet project, email ultranet@edumail.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9651 3110