‘Kids’ Virtual Connecticut’ Web Site Announced

HARTFORD — Students across Connecticut are becoming young Web masters and are being asked to help create Web sites about their towns so that all 169 municipalities can be seen through the eyes of children.

The program, “Kids’ Virtual Connecticut,” was announced by Lt Governor M. Jodi Rell last week. The Web site is currently being coordinated by the state Commission for Educational Technology. The site will contain links to Web pages created by Connecticut students from across the state.

“The Kids’ Virtual Connecticut Web site provides a great opportunity for students of all ages and from all cities and towns to be imaginative and innovative as they create Web pages for their hometowns,” said Lt Governor Rell.

“Creating the Web site is not only a lesson in technology, it is a lesson in history, art, geography, and writing,” Lt Governor Rell said. “Connecticut students can use maps, drawings, interviews, and photographs to convey the Web surfers the best that their towns have to offer in terms of history, recreation, and education.”

“This is an educational exercise that will spur creativity – and bring challenging assignments to the classroom,” said Lt Governor Rell.

The Commission for Educational Technology has invited students and teachers from across the state to help create their hometown sites for Kids’ Virtual Connecticut. The sites can include maps, artwork of important town buildings, a written history or a video, or a virtual tour of the town or city.

The Commission was established by the General Assembly earlier this year through legislation based on a 19-point plan developed by Lt Governor Rell to ensure that Connecticut’s schools and libraries are prepared to meet the computer and information technology needs of the 21st century. The $25 million plan includes money for wiring and purchasing computers, teacher and parent training, a virtual library, and enhanced college degree opportunities.

For more information about the Kids’ Virtual Connecticut project look on the commission’s Web site at www.ctedtech.org.