National Geographic MapMaker is a nice mapping tool that I’ve used in the past with my students. It was recently updated with an improved user interface, additional data sets, and more annotation tools. With NatGeo MapMaker you can create custom maps to display datasets, to compare datasets and to illustrate correlations and geographical points. National Geographic MapMaker includes […]
National Geographic MapMaker Read More »
EU Code Week is upon us once more and this year runs from the 9th to the 24th October. EU Code Week is a grassroots initiative co-ordinated by the European Commission that focuses on boosting computational thinking, coding and related digital skills of young people, as well as training for teachers. Commissioner Thierry Breton has
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The way CS First works is simple and easy. You first need to set up a class online (you can find the instructions here). Once your class is ready, you can then add students and/ or co-teachers to your class by clicking on the ‘People’ icon on the left-hand side. Next you add activities. There are
For years City Guesser and indeed GeoGuessr have been a popular geography game in which players have to guess the identity and location of a city based on Google Street View imagery. I have used GeoGuessr for many years in the classroom as a means of developing Geography and mapping skills. The new version of City
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During this current lockdown it has been difficult finding simple and accessible technology that teachers can use to make online learning interesting and meaningful for their children. One of the products that our Deis School used very successfully over the last 7 weeks or so has been Loom. Loom is a simple and useful tool that
Loom: Say it With Video Read More »
We have previously used the Microbit to introduce coding and Robotics to our senior classes. However, this year we decided to try something similar but different and this is how I stumbled upon the Crumblebot.The CrumbleBot is an enjoyable and effective way to introduce coding and robotics to children of all ages, and especially primary
CrumbleBot: A Fun Way To Introduce Coding and Robotics at Primary Level Read More »
As we return to school after a prolonged absence, I have taken the opportunity to upgrade some of the ICT facilities around our school. Over the years we have installed Interactive White Boards in all our classrooms. However, many of these are now showing their age and thoughts have now turned to upgrading to IFP’s
Continuing to Embrace Evolving Technology Read More »
In a recent study carried out by Dr. Eemer Eivers, on behalf of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN), it has been revealed that primary school students’ use of computers in school has dropped considerably within five years, from 46% saying they used computers in school regularly in 2011 to only 23% in 2016. This brings
Report notes drop in primary pupils using computers in school Read More »
Seesaw is a student-driven digital portfolio that empowers students of any age to create, capture and share what they’re learning at school. They can choose to share it with their teachers, parents, classmates, and even the world. See saw is available as an app (both Android or iOS) and also as a website at
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With coding week nearly upon us again I decided to invest in some new coding hardware for our school. I had heard good reports about Sphero SPRK+ and so invested in a number of them for our school. Sphero SPRK+ is a small but rugged spherical robot capable of rolling around, changing colours, running programmes
