Munich makes the grade

Munich has done its educational IT homework: Schools and other institutions have been equipped and networked with the necessary PC technology. Low, transparent costs will secure financing for years to come.

The Munich educational network enables the extensive integration of digital media in the classroom and makes both teaching and learning easier. Teachers can distribute the contents of their lectures or homework via the network, allowing them to focus on educational issues instead of technical ones. Students learn basic PC and Internet skills at an early age that they can later use in almost any profession. In addition, online research and online communication also support team-oriented learning and taking responsibility for one's own education, aspects that are important in an information society.

In this context, T-Systems has equipped around 750 schools and daycare programs with 28,000 PCs and provided networks for these. The ICT service provider has also taken on the responsibility for the operation, maintenance and updating of the education network. The standardization of hardware, standardized educational interfaces, central administration and a central help desk that offers professional support at industry standards all contribute to the system's efficiency. Current costs are fixed and financing via investment plans is secured for years to come.

Exemplary concept at work

According to the experts, Munich is the first community to take educational, technological and organizational as well as financial aspects into account in one integrated IT concept. In a global study, "IT in school regions," the Bertelsmann Stiftung (foundation) used the concept as an example of best practice. The project is being implemented in the form of a public private partnership between the Munich-based Center for Information Technology in Education and T-Systems.