the take up of ict and social networking tools in rural schools in ireland there was a steep...
TRANSCRIPT
The take up of ICT and social networking tools in rural schools in Ireland
there was a steep learning curve but great potential
Jim O SullivanCara Roche
Introduction
• SoRurall Information night• All Schools were invited• Discussion regarding their experience• What best suited their needs• Huge potential• More interaction within the community
SoRuraLL Trials in Clare
SoRuraLL Trials in Clare
SoRuraLL Trials in Clare
SoRuraLL Trials in ClareCounty Clare (Irish: Contae an Chláir) is one of the thirty-two counties of Ireland. Located on the west coast of Ireland, covering a total area of 1,215 square miles. The population of the county is over 130,000.
To you it might be more familar to the home of Shannon airport, Bunratty Castle or the Cliffs of Moher. Hurling is one of our national sports.
Huge Potential
Take up on the Project
• 10 Schools• 4 fully functional Web sites• 5 Blogs• Skype in 4 schools• Online Photo Gallery• The need for the user to self update was
one of the main considerations
Software used on the websites
• Joomla• Open source• CMS• Easily adaptable
Very customisableUser FriendlyExtensions modules available
Software used for the blogs
• Initally used blogger• Had to change over to a
template driven style from NCTE
• Once setup very easy to use • Updated by students and
teachers• Huge advances from
teachers with little or no IT Skills
Other Software used
Skype and Coppermine Photo Gallery
Added on Modules and Functionality
• Online Calendar• Google Translations• Photo Gallery• Blogs• Rotating Pictures and
Banners• Hit Counters
• Moodle• Different editors• Polls• Google Calendar• RSS Feeds• Email Lists
Problems that we had to overcome
• Slow bandwidth• Out of date Hardware• School Filtering system• Teachers Time• One point of contact• ICT not part of the curriculum• Perceived slowness on updating
the information
Conclusion• We have now finished training in all of the schools• All schools are making an effort to update their
blog/website• Self update website means no more interaction from us• Teachers gone from very low level of IT knowledge to
becoming masters of their own web presence• Project was so successful within the schools that the local
education centre is marketing the course this year with the education centre paying 50% of the cost and the school paying the other 50%.
• Already interest in running another course after Christmas
Broadford National School