Inclusive Learning Through Technology

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St. Mary's NS wins the 2007 Discover Primary Science Award of Science Excellence

Saint Mary’s National School Fairview has just won the 2007 Discover Primary Science Award of Science Excellence.’ The Team was led by Ms McGuinness and the main participants were Mr Gallagher’s Second class, Ms McGuinness’s Third Class, Mr Healy’s Fourth Class and Mrs Pender’s First Class. More news photos and videos to follow!

New Photos and Video pages available on ILT site

The new photo pages and Video Page on this site show a small selection of photos and videos of the ILT project in action. It features the use of technology, thinking skills and teaching strategies in the classroom.

CRC School wins the 'Digital Schools Award'

An award for excellence in the use of ICT - The Validation Process took place in June and November which involved visits to classrooms where a range of applications were demonstrated of validation of ICT in the following areas :

- Leadership & Vision
- ICT in the Curriculum
- School ICT Culture
- Professional Development
- Resources & Infrastructure

Great credit and congratulations are due to the following:

Kieran O’Callaghan, ICT Resource Teacher. Kieran’s unstinting work and excellent skills have brought about fantastic innovation in the area of ICT throughout the school.

Ger Craddock of the CTS team. Through the ILT project the school has acquired state of the art resources and new skills in ICT. We acknowledge and appreciate the fruitful collaboration with CTS and their part in assisting us to meet the criteria for this award.

The teachers who demonstrated a range of applications in the validation process and showed excellence in the use of ICT in teaching and learning are as follows:-

- Mary Lundy
- Lorraine Byrne & Teresa Hagan
- Jerry Pierce & Siobhan Keane
- Mary Saunders
- Margaret O’Donnell

St. Mary's Fairview wins European award for Languages 2006

St Mary’s were the only national school in Ireland to receive the European Award for Languages (also known as the Language Label). St Mary’s were amongst twelve successful projects selected on ‘the criteria of excellence, innovation and the ability to serve as a model for others’. The project submitted was entitled ‘The Process of Applying Lateral Thinking Skills to the Teaching and Learning of Modern Language and Culture’. The technology used and the thinking skills employed within this project were introduced through the ILT Project.

Using the critical and creative thinking skills of PMI (Positive, Minus, Interesting), OPV (Other People’s Views) and CAF ( Consider All Factors) students with their teachers were able to explore learning about the French language and culture in a focused and fun way. The technology element of the project saw student’s use digital recorders, laptops and clay animation software to create their production ‘Minnie et Pierre au Parc Fairview’.

Applying lateral thinking techniques in a technical rich environment to support the teaching and learning of the French language and culture was described by the European Award for Languages jury as a ‘strikingly dynamic and energising collaboration between a learning support teacher and an IT co-ordinator, involving many dimensions of school life-curriculum’. Therefore we want to congratulate all the management, staff and students in St Mary’s that participated in the ILT Project in the 2005 / 2006 academic year on receiving this award which is a recognition of the innovation and creativity with which they engage in the learning process.

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