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16 December
ICT in Schools: Continuing The Journey in Ireland
Ireland's Pupils Must Take Initiative
by
SoftwareGuru
Despite the severity of the latest Irish Government budget,
teaching in Ireland has finally broadened its horizons.
If the €150m investment in schools’ IT is really just the first
step on a longer journey then homework should really
take on a whole new meaning.
It's not just a 21st century equipment plan that Ireland needs,
it needs a whole new ideology when it comes to learning.
Children are already exposed to technology from a young age.
Mobile phones and games consoles provide access to the internet
long before secondary school teaching can shape their ideas.
While documenting the struggles of ICT in Schools over at
SAMI.ie, at Software4Students it is
appropriate to highlight the learning that must be done at home
using computers.
A family PC can do wonders for learning and creativity.
Parents have the opportunity to set an example for their
children to respect intellectual property online and to reassure
students that their lives will not rest solely on the points
they earn from a gruelling examination system.
Ireland must
continue to take steps forward as part of the country's
economic recovery plan.
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Fostering A New Environment
As part of this new ideology, parents, teachers and politicians
also have important roles to play.
We must foster a new type of learning environment both at home
and in Irish schools.
Irish primary and secondary schools have being using computers
to supplement an outdated, 20th century education system.
Overall school budgets have been cut and yet principals are
being told by Government and major IT companies to mould pupils
into smart-economy employees.
This poses many questions.
- How do we encourage teachers to share resources?
- How do we encourage school pupils to learn new ideas?
- How can Ireland improve 21st century teaching skills for a
smart economy?
- How many principals know how much money they should spend on
ICT equipment, service and training?
Now that the issue of ICT in Schools is being addressed properly
by Government, perhaps Ireland can catch up with the likes of
Britain when it comes to VLEs for schools.
If schools in Ireland can provide the platform for students to
broaden their IT and digital skills, this can be carried through
to activities at home.
Our experience at Software4Students.ie and SAMI.ie
of talking daily to schools, teachers and parents has greatly
informed us as to the ongoing concerns and demands of the Irish
education system.
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VLEs, Home Software, Microsoft
Ireland
As we approach a new year, there are many reasons to be
optimistic and positive.
The availability of new
VLE systems for schools in Ireland will allow staff
shortages to be offset by teachers who can get a lot more done
in less time.
Schools in Ireland who utilise a virtual learning environment
will be able to reduce the time spent on administration tasks
considerably.
Sharing information securely online will enable principals and
headmasters to maximise resources.
For parents, affordable software for home use can be purchased
though Software4Students to further pupil and student learning.
Pupils with initiative can take their skills to the next level
whether they want to
write creatively, improve
maths,
develop musical talent or even learn how to
edit graphics and build websites.
Meanwhile, Microsoft Ireland is leading the way
forward as you can see from the exciting opportunities over at
its 'Microsoft
Irish Jobs Blog'.
Shaping the future is all about creating and taking the
opportunities that come your way.
The sheer depth of talent on offer in this country will see
Ireland emerge stronger than ever after recent economic storms.
2010 is coming, so let's
fire up Windows 7 and turn science fiction into
science fact. If you can imagine it, we're halfway to achieving
it.
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Posted by
admin
at
09:21
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ICT in Schools: Continuing The Journey in Ireland