The 2009 Eircom Junior Golden Spider Awards are up and running and looking for nominations. The new Irish Student Internet Awards will celebrate innovation in web development and design by students with a grand awards ceremony in Dublin on 18th December. There are a number of categories including best concept, best web application and best […]
Junior Golden Spider Awards Read More »
While reflecting on the recent pronouncements on the Smart Economy, I went back to the Building Ireland’s Smart Economy – A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal to look at the specific mention of ICT in schools. Basically, it mentions that the DES Strategy Report from last year “provides a clear direction to inform actions to
Investing in our Smart Economy – the missing connect Read More »
We have been busy putting the finishing touches to our online summer courses for primary teachers which kick off on July 1st. A lot of effort has been put into making these courses as interactive and as interesting as possible for teachers. Thanks to the TeachNet mentors who developed the course tutorials, we are delighted
Still enrolling for TeachNet Summer Courses Read More »
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 He referred to textbooks as being “outdated” and too expensive.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 »