Software developer Editure received A$491,220 (US$375,600) from the Commercial Ready AusIndustry grant handed down on November 6 to research what teachers and students would expect technology in the "next generation" classroom to look like, how lessons would be delivered and whether or not classroom Internet access is really productive.

A prototype of the system will be ready in Q2 2007. The collaborative teaching platform will be run across an individual school network with students able to access a regulated version of the Internet, and parents also accessing student reports through specialized Web portals or via e-mail. School syllabuses will also be available on the network.

Research and Development for the platform will take place in Australia and New Zealand, the UK, the US, selected Asian countries and South Africa immediately.

Kim Ford, CEO of Editure, said the crux of the development will be approaching students and teachers and asking them what they want to see in "education 2.0".

Ford said until the grant, not one company has spent a lot of time "in the front line" to get a good understanding of what tomorrow's educators and students would want or need.