Principal of Young High, Steve Harvey said they are only small, but still very powerful.

“The amount of connectivity for teachers and students is staggering, the software on them alone is worth about $5000,” Mr Harvey said.

Teaching is turning into the modern era with Young High currently using five interactive whiteboards with another three on order. The school will eventually have 10.

Staff who currently teach Year-9 classes have also been issued with a Netbook so they too can use the technology to enhance teaching methods.

However, Mr Harvey does not believe teaching is changing but rather teachers are embracing technology to improve learning.

“Importantly it shouldn’t be regarded to as technology, but more so teaching and learning immediacy,” Mr Harvey said.

With their new computers, students and teachers can do filming, podcasts, wikis, use manipulate photos through Adobe Photoshop and create their own DVDs.

Teachers can issues assessments via the new system as well.

“With a simple click every kid will have it on their screen,” Mr Harvey said.

“Teaching and learning is expanded because of the range of opportunity available to staff and students now,” he said.

And it keeps getting better.

“Eventually, when we update the school website, students will be able to log on to the website and download an assessment task, complete it and then upload it to their teacher,” Mr Harvey said.

Teachers have had their Netbooks for three to four weeks and have done video conferencing and attended in-services to better understand how to use them.

But even being the principal, doesn not allow for special rights. Mr Harvey is still waiting for his Netbook.

‘I can’t wait to get mine so I can understand what the staff and students are talking about,” he said.

Over the next three years, all secondary students will be issued with their own netbooks as part of the Digital Education Revolution and by 2012 all students in years seven to 10 will have one.