Welcome to Digital Schools

School children with digital video cameraThe Digital Schools Award initiative recognises the excellence in a school's approach to the integration of ICT in learning and teaching. The Award scheme is unique in that is has the full support, not only of NCTE, but also CESI, INTO, IPPN and NCCA, all of whose views have been fully represented in its development. The Digital Schools Award was launched by Minister Mary Hanafin, T.D in 2006 and now is available to all primary schools throughout the country. It is planned to extend the initiative to the post-primary sector in the future.

The award builds on the excellent progress, dedication and commitment of teachers and schools in relation to ICT usage and encourages them to strive for further progression and improvement. It focuses attention on using ICT by promoting good practice, expertise and innovation in teaching and learning.

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Science Week 2009

Date: 
Oct 09

Science Week 09 logoDiscover Science and Engineering (DSE) has announced that the theme for Science Week 2009 is 'Science Week - Celebrating Creativity and Innovation.' More than 400 events are expected to take place across the country from Sunday 8th November until Sunday 15th November.

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Irish schools asked to design Google doodles

Date: 
Oct 09

Irish google doogleGoogle use the homepage logo designs, or doodles, to celebrate different people, events or special dates. These doodles are usually created by our Google web designers. However, for the second year running we're inviting Irish students to create their own doodle by taking part in Doodle 4 Google!

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Junior Spider Awards: inspiring the next generation

Date: 
Sept 2009

Since 1996 the eircom Golden Spider Awards have honoured Irish individuals and organisations for their outstanding achievements online and celebrated the successes of the Irish internet and digital media.

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Digital Schools Exemplars on Action website.

Date: 
Oct 2009

There are now 20 primary school exemplars provided by teachers in Digital Schools uploaded to the ACTION website.

They exemplify the NCCA's ICT Framework. There are 6 exemplars for Infants-2nd class and 14 exemplars for 3rd-6th class.

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Digital Technology Articles on CESI site

Date: 
March 09

The DigiTeach Articles page on the CESI website contains a growing number articles by educators interested in the integration of ICT in learning and teaching. The articles based on research and practice are added on a regular basis and make some very interesting reading.

NCTE Service Desk Anti-Virus Advice

Date: 
May 09

The Schools Broadband Network monitors the network for infections and viruses. If a virus or spyware is detected as coming from a device connected to the schools broadband connection in your school your principal will be contacted by the NCTE Service Desk.

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New Assistive Technology Library

Date: 
May 09

The Electronic Assistive Technology Library is an on-line library that facilitates borrowing of electronic assistive technology. Members may borrow devices for trial and/or training purposes. This exciting new resource, www.try-it.ie, has just been launched.

What is www.try-it.ie?

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Video exemplars on NCTE website

Date: 
Dec 2009

video cameraNine videos showing primary schools using ICT as part of their daily teaching and learning activities are now featured on the NCTE website. Watch to get ideas as to how you might use ICT to enrich the classroom experience.

 

Reading Companion

Date: 
June 09

Reading Companion's goal is to help children and adults around the world to gain the essential literacy skills using IBM’s web-based literacy technology in collaboration with schools and not for profit organisations. 

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Primary Learning Resources from the NCTE through Webwise.ie

Date: 
Sept 08

The Internet is more and more becoming part of children lives. So it follows that it is also becoming part of the role of teachers and schools to prepare children for the online environment which they live in. Children are growing up digitally, in a world of connected, mobile, interactive personal media. The world they will operate in will require them to be creators and producers of content rather than mere consumers.

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