Success Stories

ILLUMINAT Education Solutions has contributed a tremendous amount of financial and human resources to the development of major educational technology research projects in Barbados and Jamaica. These sites now serve as shining examples of how technology can be used within our educational system to improve the overall results of students - both in terms of academic gains and development of higher level skills.

The St. Mary's Primary School Educational Technology Research Project

Between 1997 and 1999 ILLUMINAT provided funding in excess of US$100,000 for the conducting of the highly successful St. Mary's Primary School Educational Technology Research Project in Barbados. This project involved equipping the school with a 26-station networked computer laboratory; the provision of educational software and the necessary professional and technical support services.

The main goal of the project was to raise the scores of Class 2 and 3 students by 1 year in Mathematics and English through the use of the Computer Curriculum Corporation's SuccessMaker courseware. A total of 96 students were involved directly in the project, but over 125 other students received computer-based tuition.

The outcomes were astounding. Not only did an overwhelming 80 percent of the students reach the required gains, but the use of technology served as a catalyst for the overall change in the culture of the school. There was a boost in the self-esteem of the students; a gradual change in the teaching methodology to a more constructivist approach; as well as changes in administrative procedure within the school. Technology is now integrated into every aspect of the school. Within 1 year the school's ranking was raised from 68th out of 77 primary schools on the island in 1997 to 33rd in 1998 in both Mathematics and English.

The project was the result of combined efforts of a number of technology companies on the island. ILLUMINAT demonstrated its commitment to the exercise through the provision of not only equipment and technical expertise, but also through the provision of a full time Educational Consultant.

Other ILLUMINAT Reference Sites in the Caribbean

ILLUMINAT has also been involved in the installation of CCC SuccessMaker in 10 schools in the Caribbean. Nine of these schools are part of the Edtech 20/20 pilot project in Jamaica. These sites were installed in January 1998 and not only serviced the 200 students directly involved in the project, but an extended school population of over 3000 students as well. The schools involved in the program are spread across the breadth of the country, but focus is mainly on delivery of computer-based instruction to rural schools. After only a few months in the program, these school are already recording notable successes. The sites are at St. Mary's All Age and Cassava River Primary in the north; St. Albans' All Age, Top Hill Primary, Red Bank All Age, Bethlehem All Age and Santa Cruz Preparatory School in the southwest; and Frankfield Primary and Kilsyth Primary in the centre of the island.

In October 1998 we also established our first Mac site is at the Edith L. Williams Elementary School in St. Thomas, USVI. This site serves a population of 161 students.

CCS Education Solutions is also the major supplier of technology solutions for schools in the Education Sector Enhancement Programme in Barbados. The multimillion-dollar IDB/CDB funded project will result in technology being placed in all educational institutions (both public and private) by the year 2005.