So as the school year draws to a close what were the highs and lows for ICT in learning? I think we should all take stock of what has been a disappointing year for schools wanting to improve their integration of technology into the classroom. We are all aware of the lack of funding, policy […]
Looking Back, Looking Forward Read More »
Last week, Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told schoolkids to throw away their textbooks to help the state avoid bankruptcy. He referred to textbooks as being “outdated” and too expensive. California currently spends more than $400m annually on school textbooks. Instead of textbooks, the Californian Learning Resource Network will evaluate and list free and commercial online
Towards the Paperless Classroom Read More »
I recently had the pleasure of attending a talk by Labour Party leader, Mr. Eamon Gilmore TD, at the DCU Ryan Academy Mid-Summer Networking Event on the topic of ‘Fostering Entrepreneurship’. I normally don’t attend such talks but I decided to head out to City West and hear what Eamon had to say on this
Fostering Entrepreneurship Talk Read More »
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the New York iSchool (thanks to Teachers Network for organising it). It was great to see 21st Century skills in a learning reality. This unique high school was established last Summer by the NYC Department of Education as part of their New Vision for Public Schools initiative.
NYC iSchool: A Model for 21st Century Learning Read More »
This is the headline in the Irish Independent on Wednesday, April 22nd, and it refers to an interview with software tycoon Chris Horn. The article raises a number of interesting ideas for teachers. Chris Horn believes that Irish teachers should use collaborative websites, such as Wikipedia, to work collectively to share knowledge by creating collaborative
Why teachers need to embrace the web – Educators could learn from the success of Read More »
During MIX09 which was held at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas from 18 – 20 March 2009 Microsoft announced their Microsoft Web Page Translator Widget. Those attending MIX09 were given a code to try out the Microsoft Web Page Translator widget. In addition anyone who wishes to try out the widget can register with
Microsoft Announce the Web Page Translator Widget Read More »
The above headline appeared in the Guardian yesterday, March 25th. The sensational headline is a journalist’s interpretation of a leaked report on the forthcoming Rose Report on the new primary curriculum in England. Many believe that the leaked document has been misrepresented by the journalist in question and that the curriclum documents do not specifically
Pupils to study Twitter and blogs in primary schools shake-up Read More »
I recently had the pleasure of attending the Coalition of School Networking’s (CoSN) 14th annual conference in Austin, Texas. The conference was of the highest quality and provided an opportunity to engage with many of the issues around ICT that are facing the world’s leading education systems. The conference opened with an international symposium where
CoSN 2009 Conference Read More »
There is growing debate around what education in the 21st century should look like and there is certainly a lot of dissatisfaction with the current model. This debate is predominantly taking place outside of Ireland, in the US, the UK, Australia, Singapore and in many Scandinavian countries. Organisations such as Futurelab’s 2020 project, The Metiri
A 21st Century Education Read More »
World Maths Day 2009 takes place on 4th March next. World Maths Day A unique feature of World of World Maths Day is that it will run for 48 hours, once it is March 4th somewhere in the world. It will begin in Ireland on Tuesday March 3rd at 11.00 hours. The first World Maths
World Maths Day 2009 Read More »
