CityU is teaming up with St Stephen's Girls' College and Hong Kong School for the Deaf to boost the use of Web-based teaching in local secondary schools.

The Division of Computer Studies (DCO), St. Stephen's Girls' College and Hong Kong School for the Deaf announced the results of a joint project to enhance the use of information technology in teaching and learning in secondary schools through the development of intranets, computerized courseware and student forums through the Internet. The HK$6.5 million project, funded by the Government's Quality Education Fund, began in December 1998 and was completed in April 2001.

At a ceremony at the Wei Hing Theatre on 6 October, the DCO announced that it has developed a Web-based courseware package that includes programmable quizzes and online forums for the two schools involved in the project. The interactive courseware covers: Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, Art, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Integrated Sciences, Laboratory Skills and Science Challenge. The two secondary schools provided content, while the DCO injected its advanced technical expertise in interactive multimedia presentations, to the project.

One such courseware, "Art Gallery", showcases select works of art from students of St Stephen's Girls' College. The interactive aspect comes into play through software that allows students, teachers, administrators and parents to engage in online discussions on various topics and find links to art-related websites. A spokesman from St Stephen's Girls' College remarked: "Textbooks only describe processes, while courseware can show processes."

Mr Norman Leung, Council Chairman of CityU, said: "The project helps students to familiarize themselves with information technology, and makes it is as easy as using calculators." Mr Leung also said that the development of information technology in secondary schools will have a positive effect on the learning environment, because it will help students to better grasp course materials.