Media Release - Monday 24 October, 2011

An electronic learning initiative that brings environmental sustainability education to schools is just one of the entries vying for the 2011 eLearning Excellence Award.

Bright Future Sustainable Living Inc. submitted their elearning initiative, Bright Future Portal, which was designed to educate kindergarten to year 10, teachers, and school staff about environmental sustainability in a positive way.

The initiative, submitted under the category of eLearning System in the eLearning Excellence Awards, was created out of Bright Future Sustainable Living Director, Tomas Molloy's passion for the environment and for making a real difference.

"I went from being an Accountant in the corporate environment to deciding to focus on something I'm passionate about," says Tomas.

"I formed iSolar, a solar panel installations business, and installed solar panels into commercial businesses and schools. Then, through speaking to teachers and schools I found that there was a real need for an educational, current, and easily accessible way of learning about this issue that relates well to students and teachers," says Tomas.

The Bright Future Portal gives students and teachers access to educational material and games, and allows them to monitor their energy consumption and compare them against other schools.

"So far we have 50 schools across Australia and around 20,000 licensed users using the Bright Future Portal," says Tomas.

"We have also been working with a number of international schools in China and the US who are keen to get on board. We are looking to connect up the international schools and relay them back here, so that all the schools can exchange ideas on a global scale," says Tomas.

Bright Future Sustainable Living works closely with Government departments and Tomas is grateful for the support the Government has given the initiative so far.

"Environmental education is such an important, and global, issue that if you have the Government support it really helps to spread the message more effectively. And the idea of the elearning industry recognising the potential of Bright Future Portal is very exciting," says Tomas.

Now in its fourth year, the awards are organised by the eLearning Industry Association of Victoria, whose aim is to position Victoria at the forefront of elearning initiatives in Australia.

The eLearning Excellence Awards recognises excellence and achievement in elearning projects; projects that use technology to help people learn anytime and anywhere.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on November 10th at Leonda by the Yarra, where the Hon. Martin Dixon, Minister for Education, will present the award for the Kindergarten to Year 12 category.

www.brightfuture.net.au

For more information on the eLearning Awards 2011 click here

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