[Joy Roche]

Computer coding and coding language is becoming a key component of children’s learning now and in their future. In the in service training day Michael stated that 80% of jobs in the IT sector have not been created yet. IT is incredibly innovative and dynamic and these are the very skills that we must provide the students.  Since we cannot prepare them for their role in IT, we must provide them with all the basics, Java, Python, critical thinking skills, collaboration skills, communication skill and big picture thinking. We can all agree that digital skills are important in the classroom but there are some challenges to overcome classroom delivery. Internet connection speeds and availability remain problematic for schools, devices need to be modernised and processing speed and memory increased investment needs to be provided by the government to update schools. In addition, IT services need to be streamlined, Cloud memory or Microsoft class etc. should be purchased by the government and rolled out to all schools rather than schools having to try and trouble shoot the cheapest options. Since no training is provided to teachers there should be access to IT support for when there are issues or difficulties with the technology. Essentially if we want children to be digital citizens of the future it takes training and resourcing and this is what is currently lacking in educational provision.

[Joy Roche]

Curriculum Areas Explored:
SPHE

Learning Outcomes:
Myself and The Wider World: Developing Citizenship, discuss and explore the concepts of sharing and co operating and the ways that they can be put into practice in an effective manner.

Student Roles:
Project leader to create a draft of the build , builder to refer to draft and build required features, researcher to research playgrounds with inclusive access and new technology, presenter to present build overview and highlight why certain features were included.

Supporting Work:
Discussion of what works well in the yard and what doesn’t. Areas of conflict in the yard how could they be reduced?  Sketch current yard layout. Create a dream list of facilities to be provided in an ideal school yard. Measure the existing yard using tools and find out the area and perimeter of the area. Using conscience alley and teacher in role use drama skills to explore what rules would be necessary to promote positive play behaviour and the consequences of anti social behaviour. Children then to draft a document of rules and consequence. Children then to vote how this would be supervised and implemented ie yard buddies, class supervisors, student council etc. Project to investigate how to promote accesss to students who are differently abled. Explore equipment and add at least 3 pieces of equipment to the build. Discussion of disabled access and the importance of inclusion.

Build Challenge or Project Prompt:
To Create an Inclusive School Playground. Create a playground that is welcoming for everyone in the school. Consider gender roles, popular playground activities, balancing relaxing activities and stimulating activities, access to activities, existing barriers to access of current activities, climate, space allowance, children with different physical and cognitive abilities etc.

 

[Joy Roche]

Using digital tools is vital in todays classrooms. Integrating digital tools into everyday practice and delivery of learning can really help children engage and attend to learning outcomes. When used correctly it can help build and sustain concentration and attention. It can also be used effectively as a reward or motivation to do prior work in order to engage with the technology later. I find that the children are willing to collaborate more meaningfully if they are allowed to work in pairs to achieve a task or project. Another fantastic outcome of applying digital tools in the classroom is that it allows for accurate differentiation. Usually the platform makes modifications in real time to allow the children to proceed with a task or if they fail provide them with a more moderated task. It allows for graceful failing and therefore the childrens learning confidence and motivation is not reduced and they continue to learn at their pace. I think in a large and busy classroom this is a vital key for progession and learning and therefore why when suitable it should be integrated into daily learning.

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