IMMERSE
Innovative Multi-Media Educational Resources for Students and Educators
History of IMMERSE
In March 2002 the Department of Education and Science (through the NCTE) and RTÉ established a Digital Learning Partnership with two specific objectives:
| (1) | To examine the potential of digital media, including new digital television technologies, in the context of learning and teaching. |
| (2) | To produce digital learning and teaching materials as part of a pilot project. These resources would be distributed through multiple platforms including websites, CD/DVD and scheduled broadcasts on RTÉ. |
Project Development -- Phase 1
The initial phase of IMMERSE focused on three key areas of the curriculum: Primary Science (5th and 6th classes); Primary Visual Arts (all classes); and Junior Cycle Science. Each of these streams was agreed in consultation with the Department of Education and Science and the NCCA/PCSP. The three streams were titled Sci-Spy, I Am An Artist and Science Unleashed respectively.
180 minutes of video were produced for each stream and an extensive range of topics were covered. In both Sci-Spy and I Am An Artist 30 six-minute programmes were produced and in Science Unleashed 15 twelve-minute programmes were made. All productions were completed by the end of 2003. Following school-based evaluations, DVDs were produced for both Sci-Spy and I Am An Artist and these were distributed to primary schools in 2004. Science Unleashed programmes are streamed online.
 |
 |
I Am An Artist DVD |
Sci-Spy DVD |
Three websites were developed for each stream in 2004. The websites contain extensive complementary content, including interactive games, quizzes, factsheets, teachers' notes and related weblinks. All videos are streamed through the websites also.
 |
 |
 |
www.iamanartist.ie **WINNER 2005 ** GOLDEN SPIDER AWARD |
Evaluations of all the resources produced in Phase 1 have been completed. Furthermore, an evaluation of the production model employed in the pilot project and the feasibility of mainstreaming this model of production for interactive learning materials (both from a financial and production perspective) has also been completed. Evaluations currently available include: I Am An Artist Evaluation - Executive Summary (pdf), Sci-Spy Evaluation - Executive Summary (pdf) and Science Unleashed Evaluation (pdf).
Project Development -- Phase 2
The second phase of IMMERSE began in 2005 and focused on the RTÉ Archives and the revised Leaving Certificate History Syllabus. The RTÉ Archives preserve a unique and valuable record of Irish life as seen and heard through the media of television and radio. Titled Look at History through the RTÉ Archives, this project has revolved around sourcing clips from media preserved by the RTÉ Archives and presenting them on an educational website.
There are 38 media clips on the bilingual website which was completed in August 2005. All of these clips specifically relate to Topic 6 of the Later Modern Ireland section of the Leaving Certificate History syllabus, Government, Economy and Society in the Republic of Ireland, 1949-1989. |
Look at History through the RTÉ Archives provides teachers and students with unique access to primary historical sources. Each clip is accompanied by explanatory text and relevant weblinks. An independent evaluation (pdf) of the project was conducted with several teachers in 4 schools in 2005/2006 and the results indicated that the provision of these resources online was a positive development for the teaching and learning of history at second-level.
RSS Feed
