Archive News
Note: The NCTE provides links to other websites for your information. Most of these sites are not under our control and the NCTE is, therefore, not responsible for their content. Some links may not be valid.
State must proceed with technology in classroom plan
The EUR252 million allocated for technology in schools is vital for a knowledge society writes Siobhán Masterson...
Irishtimes.com, 10th July 2008
Prospect of Internet Blocking in Ireland
The recently-established Office for Internet Safety (OIS) has had exploratory discussions with the Garda Siochána about using internet blocking technologies in Ireland.
Sunday Business Post, 29th June 2008
Government unveils major EUR439m broadband plan
The Government has unveiled a next-generation network (NGN) plan that will see EUR435m pumped into a nationwide fibre-optic network, with state-owned fibre technology being utilised and broadband made...
Silicon Republic, 3rd July 2008
No monkeying about Schools get new internet picture archive
EDUCATION Minister Batt O'Keefe was quite at ease with his new friends in Dublin Zoo yesterday. For a change, there were no complaints about class sizes, sub-standard buildings or inadequate funding. They formed the support cast for the launch of ImageBank (www.imagebank.ie), an online interactive photo library for students and teachers devised by the NCTE...
Irish Independent, 3rd July 2008
Education: Online photo-library for schools launched
Minister for Education & Science Batt O'Keefe launches ImageBank (www.imagebank.ie), an online interactive photo library for students and teachers devised by the NCTE... (Note: Video link - Requires RealPlayer)
RTÉ Six-One News, 2nd July 2008
Microsoft, Apple issue slew of security fixes
Microsoft and Apple released a batch of critical security fixes within 24 hours of each other, patching a variety of components including the Internet Explorer browser, Bluetooth services and the QuickTime media player.
www.electricnews.net , 11th June 2008
Hard Times for School IT?
Questioning the government’s commitment to its investment in computers for schools was what led to Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s revelation that the National Development Plan (NDP) could be at risk.
The Sunday Business Post, 1st June 2008
One-in-five girls victim of internet bullying
ONE-in-five schoolgirls has fallen victim to cyber bullying, a nationwide survey has revealed. The full extent of the problem of internet and mobile phone bullying is revealed today in the first major study of its kind in this country, commissioned on behalf of the Irish Independent and RTE's 'Prime Time Investigates'..
Irish Independent, 19th May 2008
InTouch meets Jerome Morrissey
An interview with Jerome Morrisset, Director of the National Centre for Technology in Education. (PDF Document)
In Touch, May 2008
A Matter of Education
The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) scheme aims to bring about education through affordable technology but will infighting and competition muddy the waters?
Silicon Republic, 13th May 2008
Internet Experience in Education Conference
Innovation in the adoption of ICT in the classroom continues at a rate never before seen in education. This year’s event will focus on the most appropriate strategies to employ in relation to the NDP funding of EUR252m allocated to ICT in schools...
Tipperary Institute, 9th April 2008
Hotline boosts protection measures for internet child porn
EFFORTS to tackle the problem of child pornography on the internet received a boost yesterday with the relaunch of a hotline developed by the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland. The website, named www.hotline.ie and which was established nine years ago, allows people to notify the association of child pornography and other illegal content discovered on the internet. It also investigates reports of material relating to financial scams, phishing, racism and incitement to hatred ...
Irish Examiner, 3rd April 2008
Dawn of the cyber-teachers
With the Junior and Leaving certificates fast approaching, many parents have just shelled out large sums of money for Easter grinds. While the vast majority went to a grind school or hired a teacher for one-to-one tuition, a growing number of students are now going online for help. The idea of online teaching has been around since the internet became a mass medium, but in the initial phases of the web, e-learning did not catch on as fast a many might have expected ...
Irish Independent, 2nd April 2008
Persistent internet bullying by students causing profound damage, says union
THE internet bullying of teachers by students is a "persistent problem", according to the TUI. A growing trend of abuse has emerged where videos or pictures of teachers taken in class, along with derogatory comments, are posted on social networking sites such as Bebo and MySpace as well as video portal YouTube. The Teachers Union of Ireland has reported the "pernicious" targeting of some teachers by students, which in extreme cases has resulted in expulsions ...
Irish Independent, 22nd March 2008
35,000 schools now involved in eTwinning virtual school partnerships
35,000 schools now involved in eTwinning virtual school partnerships eTwinning is an EU initiative to encourage schools to network with each other over the internet. In the three years since its launch, over 35,000 schools have signed up. At an eTwinning conference held in Bucharest on 14-16 March, the European Commission will be handing out prizes to eight outstanding eTwinning school projects ...
Europa.eu, 14th March 2008
Internet safety discussed
A SEMINAR on internet safety held in the Mayo Education Centre last week was deemed a huge success by the organisers, and plans are in the pipeline to bring similar seminars around the county. The two-hour presentation was organised by the National Parents’ Council and the Mayo Education Centre to help parents learn more about responsible internet use in the home as well as the dangers of cyber bullying and unsupervised access to internet sites ...
Mayo News, 11th March 2008
Web child predator stigma is ‘a media bogeyman’ creation
Research sheds new light on the dangers children face on the internet, writes Adrian Weckler. New research from the US casts doubt on conventional notions of predators stalking the internet looking for young children. A major study conducted by the American Psychology Association suggests that adult predators do not normally pose as children or teenagers and are upfront about their sexual motives, especially with teenagers ...
Sunday Business Post, 9th March 2008
First Facebook harassment trial in the UK
The first prosecution in the UK for harassment on Facebook will take place this month. A Birmingham man is charged with harassing his ex-girlfriend via the social networking site. Michael Hurst allegedly harassed Sophie Sladden via the site on 21 January. He pleaded not guilty in Birmingham Magistrates Court and was granted bail. Hurst will stand trial later this month ...
Silicon Republic, 7th March 2008
Schoolgirl assaulted by male schoolmates
Simon Grehan, Internet Safety Project Officer with the National Centre for Technology in Education, explains the law on videos which can be posted on websites (Note: Audio link - Requires RealPlayer).
RTÉ Radio 1 News at One, 27th February
Internet tsar to make children's surfing safer
THE Government has appointed a new internet tsar to protect young people against online dangers. John Laffan is due to take up his role as the director of the Office for Internet Safety (OIS) next month. Justice Minister Brian Lenihan said that Mr Laffan would help to develop programmes and policies designed to make the internet a safer place ...
Irish Independent, 19th February 2008
Top Tip From makeITsecure On Eu Safer Internet Day
Research published by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan yesterday at the launch of the makeITsecure campaign found that an average computer attached to the internet is subject to an average of 298 attempted attacks each day. Research also shows that less than half of all Internet users understand the term “Phishing”. According to the iReach 2008 IT Security Report, Phishing Attacks will increase to an unprecedented level for this year ...
IrishDev.com, 13th February 2008
Internet safety pack for families released
A new information pack aimed at teaching parents and children about online safety was launched by Webwise and cable operator UPC yesterday as part of the European Safer Internet Day. The information pack is translated into 11 European languages and comprises a parents’ guide, an activity-based guidebook for children aged 6-12, a family certificate and situation cards designed to make internet safety education fun. The pack is available from schools, libraries and the UPC website ...
Silicon Republic, 13th February 2008
Eight questions about...Phishing
Following research released by the Department of Communications, which says that Irish Internet users are faced with almost 300 phishing attacks each day, RTÉ.ie put some questions to the General Manager of the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland, Paul Durrant, to find out more about phishing and Internet security. ...
RTÉ.ie, 11th February 2008
Bloggers beware: that private picture could soon be very public
Planning on uploading a sexy photo of yourself on the internet that all your friends can see when they visit your personal page? Well, think again. A Dublin woman got the fright of her life when she uploaded a raunchy picture of herself frolicking on a bed, only to come across it a few weeks later in an advertisement campaign for a major online dating website ...
Irish Independent, 10th February 2008
Online safety guide launched
Irish children will now learn how to use social networking sites such as Bebo safely, as part of the the Social Personal Health Education (SPHE) curriculum taught in the first three years of secondary school. Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin launched a classroom resource pack for teachers that assists them in teaching children how to stay safe online ...
Irish Times, 8th February 2008 (Subscription required)
Hanafin tames the wild, wild web
Seminars, workshops and classroom resources to help parents, kids and teachers get to grips with the dangers associated with the internet will be available throughout the country as the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin TD, launched a new programme today...
Silicon Republic, 5th February 2008
Google: white bread for young minds?
Google is "white bread for the mind", and the internet is producing a generation of students who get by on a diet of unreliable information. It is a sentiment that may seem Luddite, and even fuddy-duddy, to those brought up in the internet age. But it will find echoes among Irish teachers and university professors, used to sifting through reams of dodgy material taken from dubious sources by their students ...
Irish Independent, 30th January 2008
Facebook investigated under EU data protection law
As the Information Commissioner in the UK begins an investigation over how Facebook stores, retains and uses the personal data of its members, Ireland also has a pressing need to closely observe the social networking site, even more so if it decides to locate its European headquarters in Dublin as rumoured ...
Silicon Republic, 24th January 2008
Soaring number of teachers say they are ‘cyberbully’ victims
Soaring numbers of teachers are calling helplines for advice on how to cope after being “cyberbullied” on the internet by their pupils. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said that it now receives a call every day from teachers who say they have become victims. The problem was unheard of just two years ago. Pupils are scouring the internet looking for embarrassing photographs of them ...
The Times, 19th January 2008
Report finds 98% of schools have broadband
THEY may not be able to afford running water or sufficient classrooms but at least Irish schools can keep up to date with developments on their plight — thanks to an initiative to equip them with cheap and speedy internet access. According to a progress report released yesterday, 98% of all primary and secondary schools around the country have broadband, which provides swift access and download times and is always on so it does not incur repeated connection charges ...
The Irish Examiner, 14th January 2008
Hanafin scorns ‘laptops for all’ schools plan
Fine Gael's plans for solving the maths and science problem in Irish schools just don't add up, it was claimed last night. The main opposition party said laptops could be supplied to all 344,000 secondary pupils for a total of EUR23m – or just under EUR67 each. However, Education Minister Mary Hanafin has poured scorn on the idea of providing laptops for all ...
Irish Independent , 10th January 2008
Computer funding will be spent: Hanafin
The Education Minister has said EUR252m allocated for school computers under the National Development Plan will be spent by 2013...
RTÉ News, 2nd January 2008
Teachers get Bebo training to crack down on bullies
TEACHERS are undergoing special training in the use of social networking sites such as Bebo in a bid to crack down on school bullying. The programme, which will be run by the National Centre for Technology in Education, has already gotten under way in parts of the country ahead of its official launch next February. The voluntary scheme will be held in 21 different locations and according to the centre are already oversubscribed ...
The Irish Examiner, 12th December 2007
Design, implementation and support services for an online maps and geospatial data viewer
Notice of Contract Award for Design, Implementation and Support Services for an Online Maps Viewer for the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) on behalf of the Department of Education and Science ...
eTenders Public Procurement, 6th December 2007
Sensors and sensibility for Junior Cycle science
Some 188 secondary schools around Ireland have signed up for a new approach to science learning and teaching that places the emphasis on pupils investigating science in the world around them through a new project, Discover Sensors. This project began as a pilot running over 2006/2007 with two teachers from each of the initial 45 schools who took part attending training days at a regional education centre ...
Silicon Republic, 3rd December 2007
Powering up our education system
These words demonstrate some of the challenges facing the education sector in getting to grips with ICT. How do schools get students using technology as fluently as they do in their personal life in a controlled, educational context? It’s a question the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) is constantly working on. In the future, schoolchildren will not only bring their ICT skills into class but also their ICT equipment, believes Jerome Morrissey, director of the NCTE ...
Silicon Republic, 26th November 2007
Teenagers warned: 'A blog is for life'
A staggering 4.5 million young people would not like a prospective employer or university to see their online profiles without getting a chance to get rid of some of the dodgy content first, according to a survey carried out by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) ...
Silicon Republic, 23rd November 2007
YouTube launches anti-bullying channel
A new YouTube channel has been created in association with UK charity Beatbullying with messages from celebrities like Ronan Keating, Danni Minogue and Girls Aloud discouraging cyberbullying among school children. This channel will deal with new, emerging forms of bullying like happy slapping, abuse text messaging and online ‘ganging up’ ...
Silicon Republic, 19th November 2007
Used hard drives are ID theft paradise
Irish people may have improved their record on recycling electronic waste, but it seems security concerns have fallen by the wayside. According to a study conducted by security firm Rits Information Security, personal information including credit card numbers, customer data and client files is being left on hard drives that are being sold into the second-hand market...
www.electricnews.net , 14th November 2007
Entering the digital age
The gradual roll-out of the digital age in Irish schools, to equip pupils for the world in which they live and will work, is about to begin. The National Council for Technology in Education (NCTE) is preparing to make available to both primary and post-primary schools a range of digital reference material.
Irish Independent, 7th November 2007
Irish teacher wins Microsoft innovation award
A Kilkenny teacher has won an Innovative Teacher Award at the Microsoft Worldwide Innovative Teachers Forum (ITF) 2007. Tommy Maher, principal of Scoil Naomh Fiachra in Co Kilkenny, won the ‘Innovation in Content’ category at the event in Helsinki, Finland for his project ‘Don Quixote: Impossible Dreamers’. Now in its third year, the worldwide ITF is the culmination of a series of regional events designed to honour outstanding teachers for their contributions ...
Silicon Republic, 5th November 2007
Fame calls for students after scooping short film ‘Oscar’
FILM making students at a special school were on top of the world after collecting their own Oscar award yesterday. De Mobile Phone, a five-minute film created by the senior class at School of The Divine Child in Cork, scooped the music category prize at the National FÍS Film Festival. The event in the Helix at Dublin City University saw more than 20 schools around the country pick up awards for their endeavours in the cinematic field ...
The Irish Examiner, 26th October 2007
The Oscars for Films made by Irish Children
RTÉ2 News2day report on the FÍS Film Festival which took place at the Helix in DCU on Thursday 25th October... (Note: Video link - Requires RealPlayer)
RTÉ News2day, 25th October 2007
Learning how to beat the new cyber bullies
It is a problem that is still frequently swept under the carpet in schools. But bullying affects tens of thousands of Irish schoolchildren every year -- and there is little sign that it is in decline. As the Anti-Bullying Centre at Trinity College puts it, "The humiliation, fear, frustration, social isolation and loss of self-esteem which children experience when bullied results in absenteeism from school, deteriorating schoolwork, illness, depression and sometimes suicide ...
Irish Independent, 17th October 2007
Full throttle for school tech challenge
Irish students are invited to design, build and actually race the car of the future in the form of a CO2-powered Formula 1 racing car as the F1 in Schools Challenge kicked off today ...
Silicon Republic, 9th October 2007
eTwinning
eTwinning Weeks 2007 are being organised to focus on encouraging schools and teachers to get involved in eTwinning this autumn. Between 17 September and 19 October, special events, activities and prizes are planned across Europe. eTwinning is a simple and straightforward way of finding a partner school in the rest of Europe to work together on a range of activities, using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) ...
Irish Primary Principles Network , 4th October 2007
Minister rules out laptops for pupils
MOST schools depend on "Tesco vouchers" to get more computers, Fine Gael's Brian Hayes said. But giving each secondary school student a laptop computer is not an "effective" way to promote e-learning culture, according to Education Minister Mary Hanafin. The Minister said giving every child a laptop would see the Government spend at least ¤500 on each computer for 334,000 students and would cost ¤167m ...
Irish Independent, 3rd October 2007
Growing up in the public eye
BEFORE they met at a small lake in Omagh, Co Tyrone last week, 24-year-old Nick Jameson and 20-yearold Barry McGlade knew each other only through an online chat forum. They had arranged to meet at the lake and take their own lives together. Their first face-to-face encounter came just a few minutes before killing themselves. Through the internet, these two young men had found a peer group encouraging them to take their own lives ...
Sunday Tribune, 2nd October 2007
Trinity brings knowledge economy to another level
With speakers from Google and Apple, the 6th annual Irish Universities Association HR Conference held in Trinity yesterday dealt with the importance of fourth level education and building an Irish knowledge economy through innovation and technology ...
Silicon Republic, 21st September 2007
New unit to tackle internet child porn
A special unit has been set up to take charge of the crackdown on child porn and target online predators who prey on young internet users. It is one of a series of measures Justice Minister Brian Lenihan said were necessary to combat highly sophisticated and technologically-aware users whose aim was to "groom" children for sexual exploitation. The new executive office for internet safety will begin work within weeks and will be part of the Department of Justice while working alongside gardai ...
Irish Independent, 21st September 2007
Government will spend EUR250M to develop e-learning culture in schools
Century at Dunshaughlin Community College in Co Meath this week by announcing the Irish government will spend EUR250M on school technology, ICT training and professional development for teachers over the next five years. Microsoft co-hosted the ‘Innovative Schools’ Conference for post primary school staff at Dunshaughlin Community College, one of only twelve schools around the world chosen by Microsoft as a ‘School of the Future’ ...
TechCentral.ie, 10th September 2007
Educating the educators
Is the EUR252m earmarked for bringing Irish schools into the 21st Century enough or is it too little too late? While some EUR252m has been set aside under the National Development Plan (NDP) to modernise Irish classrooms and equip teachers and students alike with competencies for the 21st Century world, there is a school of thought among educators that double this sum will be required ...
Silicon Republic, 30th August 2007
Few high fliers want science
SCIENCE, engineering and technology courses are continuing to struggle to attract the high achievers. Today's CAO points league table shows that the cut-off levels for honours degree courses in science and computing are largely concentrated in 300-400 range, with some notable exceptions. Engineering has a better showing, with a number of courses showing a points recovery, but some didn't have enough applicants to fill their places ...
Irish Independent, 20th August 2007
Microsoft launches PC-rebuilding scheme
Microsoft Ireland has launched a new initiative aimed at keeping PCs out of landfills and re-building them for use by schools and charities. The Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher (MAR) programme, which was officially launched at the Rehab Recycle facility in Tallaght in Dublin on 16 August, provides companies with a means of disposing of unused or end-of-life computer equipment, which can then be serviced, re-conditioned and installed with new software...
www.electricnews.net , 16th August 2007
Microsoft releases a slew of security fixes
Microsoft released another bumper crop of security patches on 14 August, in what analysts are calling one of the most significant security updates so far this year. In all, 14 flaws were fixed in nine security updates included in the tech giant's regular "patch Tuesday" update...
www.electricnews.net , 15th August 2007
HP working on schools ICT programme
Martin Murphy, managing director of HP Ireland, said that right now the company is looking into bringing the Classroom 2000, or C2K, model to schools in the Republic after the success of the project for over 350,000 pupils in Northern Ireland since its inception in 1998. “HP is currently doing a feasibility study as to how we might pilot the work we’ve done up north and bring it down south,” said Murphy ...
Silicon Republic, 13th August 2007
Stressed out Leaving Cert students get helping 'feet'
STRESSED Leaving Cert students will be provided with a helping hand during this year's results celebrations. A campaign called 'Feet on the Street' will have volunteers from the Samaritans patrol Temple Bar to offer help to those who feel isolated or stressed by the festivities. A new free 24-hour text support service will also be available to students who are experiencing panic, anxiety and despair at less than first-rate results ...
Irish Independent, 11th August 2007
Students to get affordable laptops
Third-level students are to be provided with cut-price laptops to promote the use of the devices in Irish universities and Institutes of Technology. The Higher Education Student Laptop Programme is a new agreement between Intel, Dell, HP, Microsoft, AIB and Vodafone that offers students a more affordable way of getting their hands on their own laptop. ...
www.electricnews.net, 3rd August 2007
29,000 sex offenders found on MySpace
MYSPACE has found more than 29,000 registered sex offenders with profiles on the popular social networking website — more than four times the number given by the company two months ago, two US states say ...
The Irish Examiner, 26th July 2007
Psychologists offer safe surfing tools
A team of clinical psychologists claims to have designed internet safety and parental control software that allows for more secure and productive surfing. The Responsible Surfing web filtering software offers parental control tools for children as well as the whole family. As may be expected the software allows parents to block or filter websites, control the amount of time spent on the internet and limit online gaming, shopping and chatting ...
TechCentral.ie, 23rd July 2007
Pupils lap up hi-tech learning of Irish
SCHOOLCHILDREN who 'H8' learning Irish could soon find that it is as easy as 'TXT', thanks to the use of new technology in the classroom. Mobile phones, laptops and text-based (chatrooms) are being used in a pilot project bringing the teaching of Irish at second-level into the 21st century. It is part of a drive to motivate pupils, improve their communication skills in Irish and test the use of ICT (information and communication technology) in assessing pupils ...
Irish Independent, 12th July 2007
Tech-based courses popular with students
High-achieving Irish students are increasingly turning to technology and science-based courses at third level, a new survey has revealed. According to the Higher Education Authority, 23.7 percent of those achieving 450 points or more in the Leaving Cert, and who were going on to third level education, chose to accept places on technology courses in 2006...
www.electricnews.net, 4th July 2007
New risks on social websites
Many web-literate teens are posting sexually provocative images of themselves on sites such as Bebo and Myspace without their parents’ knowledge. Adrian Weckler reports. Parents worried about exploitation of their kids on the internet have a new foe: their own children ...
Sunday Business Post, 24th June 2007
Social networks to be used in net safety campaign
Internet safety campaigns targeted at Irish schoolchildren are to incorporate peer-to-peer and social networking elements, the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) has said. The NCTE runs safety campaigns about online privacy issues using its www.webwise.ie and www.watchyourspace.ie websites. “We’re trying to develop a peer-to-peer element in the Watchyourspace ...
Silicon Republic, 22nd June 2007
Kids can navigate the net safely - with care
Despite claims to the contrary, the internet need not be seen as a no-go zone for kids. With research and supervision, they can surf the net safely, writes Adrian Weckler. Are our kids safe online? Judging by the hysterical headlines in ‘mid-market’ newspapers, one would doubt it ...
Sunday Business Post, 10th June 2007
ICT course developed for primary teachers
Educational software company Flúirse has developed a series of online summer courses aimed at improving the ICT skills of primary school teachers around Ireland. In light of a recent survey carried out by Flúirse, where it was found that 32pc of primary school teachers did not feel comfortable with technology in the classroom, the company decided to develop this series of course aimed at helping teachers get to grips with ICT basics ...
Silicon Republic, 6th June 2007
Microsoft breakthrough scratches the Surface
Microsoft has unveiled Surface, a tabletop device that can recognise physical objects and allow direct, hands-on control of content such as photos, music and maps. The technology takes users one step closer to a ‘Minority Report style’ interactive interface. Microsoft hopes that Surface will break down the traditional barriers between people and technology, making interaction simpler and more intuitive using touch, natural gestures and physical objects ...
TechCentral.ie, 5th June 2007
Bringing stories to life through film
FOR the first time in a number of years I went to the cinema last Wednesday, at 11am, yes 11o’clock in the morning. I didn’t go to watch one film, but seven. I was in the Storm Cinema in Portlaoise to view the films created by children in six schools in Laois and Offaly as part of the Film in Schools (FIS) programme. The children were asked to make a film of maximum five minutes duration ...
Laois Nationalist, 31st May 2007
Irish third-level sector signs breakthrough deal
An organisation representing the 30 universities and institutes of education in Ireland has made history by signing the Education Alliance Agreement (EAA), the first of its kind in Western Europe, which will bring next-generation digital learning to third-level education. The Combined Higher Education Software Team (CHEST), an initiative started by the Higer Education Authority, has a goal of creating digital learning environments within all third-level colleges nationwide ...
Silicon Republic, 30th May 2007
Safety of wi-fi networks at schools under the spotlight
CONCERNS have been expressed about the safety of wireless broadband networks in hundreds of schools following an investigation by BBC’s Panorama team. About one in 10 of the country’s 3,300 primary schools uses wireless systems to link computers to their broadband service, which has been provided to most schools in the country in the past few years ...
The Irish Examiner, 23rd May 2007
Teachers to get internet safety training
Athlone is playing host to a group of ICT tutors on Friday who are preparing for an internet safety course they will be delivering to teachers. Teachers to get internet safety training RIM plugging into your business' PBX In the papers 11 May Did you know you can get the e-Government Digest sent direct to your inbox every week? Just to get your free copy ...
www.electricnews.net, 11th May 2007
First Offaly school to achieve digital status
SCOIL Mhuire, Tullamore last week became the first school in the county to receive a Digital Schools Award. The largest primary school in the county and the oldest school still in its original building, is one of only 24 schools in the country to achieve this award. At a special ceremony in the school last Friday, Minister for Finance Brian Cowen TD presented principal Máire McRedmond with the Digital Schools Award ...
Offaly Express, 9th May 2007
Digiweb offers free hosting to students
Emmet Ryan in association with About Us The trend of recent IT offers for students continued Tuesday with Digiweb announcing a new free hosting package for third level attendees. Digiweb offers free hosting to students Icahn loses bid to win seat on Moto's board Hotmail is dead. Long live Hotmail. The Louth-based telecoms provider is offering a free student hosting and domain name package, which it said is worth EUR56.83, to all third level students, researchers and lecturers ...
www.electricnews.net , 8th May 2007
Digital divide emerging between teachers and students
Dr Michelle Selinger is networking giant Cisco’s executive adviser on education for Europe and her work involves research and dissemination of effective solutions for e-learning in all aspects of education and training. Selinger has a strong teaching background, working in the past as a secondary school maths and economics teacher as well as with the Open University and latterly the University of Warwick where she was the director of the centre for New Technologies Research in Education ...
Silicon Republic, 30th April 2007
Downloaders face jail in planned law
TEENAGERS sharing video and music files on the internet face jail sentences under "ill thought-out" and potentially disastrous copyright laws being pushed by MEPs and the European Commission, a major consumer group warned last night. The warning came as MEPs were today expected to back a first draft of new laws which would for the first time leave downloaders open to criminal as well as civil prosecutions ...
Irish Independent, 25th April 2007
Your phone’s grounded’ - what unruly brats might hear soon
Irish mobile security and monitoring firm Sentry Wireless will be launching Kidsafe later this year, a service that will allow parents to control how children access their mobile phones. Approximately 220,000 five- to-nine-year-olds in Ireland own a mobile phone, according to recent statistics by the Wireless World Forum. A further 270,000 10- to 14-year-olds also own one ...
Silicon Republic, 23rd April 2007
Pilot laptop scheme at west Dublin school
Jonathan Clynch reports on the Connect project at St Aidan's Secondary School in Tallaght (Note: Video link - Requires RealPlayer)
RTÉ Six One News, 17th April 2007
3.4million scheme unveiled by the Minister for Education and Science
3.4million scheme unveiled today by Mary Hanafin T.D., the Minister for Education and Science Thousands of students in over 870 schools are to benefit from new computer and technology equipment being provided under a special ¤3.4million scheme unveiled today by Mary Hanafin T.D., the Minister for Education and Science ...
IrishDev.com, 16th April 2007
Knockanore infants get kidsmart
INFANTS at Knockanore National School, Co. Waterford were the proud recipients of an IBM KidSmart Early Learning Centre this month. The Centre consists of an IBM multi-media computer housed in a colourful and durable ‘Little Tikes’ workstation and uses educational software from ‘Riverdeep’ and a colour printer ...
Waterford News & Star, 13th April 2007
State ‘must invest in ICT for schools’
Despite a EUR252 million initiative for information and communications technology (ICT) in schools under the National Development Plan, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland said shortfalls will continue to exist. TUI president Tim O’Meara said: “It equates to just EUR46 per child per year, far behind the EUR110 spent per child in England on technology in the classroom ...
The Irish Examiner, 9th April 2007
Smart new computers for St. Senan's
Fiie new state of the art computers were welcomed with open arms at St. Senan's national school last week. The donation of KidSmart Computers came from the worldwide computer company IBM. The child friendly educational computers use hardware and software specifically designed for the needs of the children in Junior Infants, Senior Infants and in the schools three Autistic Unit Classes. The most recent additions to the schools I.C.T. resources, are the KidSmart Computers ...
Enniscorthy Guardian, 5th April 2007
Minister presents Digital School Award at Sacred Heart Primary School, Portlaoise
Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, T.D., today presented the Digital Schools Award to Sacred Heart School, Portlaoise. The school is the first primary school in Co. Laois to achieve the award. The scheme which is funded by the Department of Education and Science, through the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) aims to recognise excellence in a school's approach to the integration of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in learning and teaching ...
Department of Education and Science, 30th March 2007
Students prove they're up for IT
New analysis of CAO figures indicates that rather than being on the decline as initially thought, demand for computing courses among school leavers has increased ...
www.electicnews.net, 29th March 2007
Teachers offered free digital grinds software
Galway-based software company Outstanding Solutions is to provide ¤60,000 worth of higher-level maths software to teachers around the country....
Silicon Republic, 26th March 2007
Minister Haughey launches the Dublin eTwinning Professional Development Workshop
The Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Seán Haughey, T.D., today ( 23 March,2007) launched the Dublin eTwinning Professional Development Workshop. The launch took place at the Marino Institute of Education, Griffith Avenue in Dublin ...
Department of Education and Science, 23rd March 2007
Parents devastated by abusive profiles on web
MALICIOUS internet users are targeting parents by setting up bogus profiles of them on the Bebo website. Fine Gael's Denis Naughton said he had learnt of two cases this week where parents had been devastated when they learnt of abusive and defamatory remarks about them on the website. "In both cases, it was the children of the individuals who came across it on the site and informed their parents ...
Irish Independent, 5th March 2007
Computer funding for schools criticised
Emma O Kelly, Education & Science Correspondent, reports on the money available for computers in second level schools (Note: Video link - Requires RealPlayer)
RTÉ Nine O’Clock News, 28th February 2007
Bosco to Bebo - new challenges for parents
Recently, the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) launched a campaign to raise awareness of internet safety and to promote safe, responsible practice by young people when they go online. Entitled Watch Your Space, this safety initiative is targeted at teenagers and young adults and provides a range of practical advice and solid support to young internet users. It is top-class, well thought out and hard-hitting ...
Irish Times, 27th February 2007 (Subscription required)
Industry to advise Minister Hanafin on EUR252m Schools ICT strategy
The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin T.D., today announced the appointment of a Strategy Group to advise on the prioritisation of measures under a planned Government investment of EUR252 million in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in schools. The planned investment over the 2007 to 2013 period was outlined in the Government's National Development Plan (NDP) published last month ...
Department of Education and Science, 25th February 2007
South Dublin Council ‘connects’ with the people
A web initiative aimed at enabling citizens to use technology to improve the quality of their lives by South Dublin County Council picked up the top gong at last night’s Irish eGovernment Awards 2007. South Dublin County Council’s Connect initiative is aimed at enabling citizens to use technology in innovative ways to achieve their goals and make internet content more relevant to local interests ...
Silicon Republic, 23rd February 2007
Digital Hub publishes ambitious plan
An early nucleus of Ireland's information society, the Digital Hub project in Dublin has published its latest development plan. The Digital Hub Development Agency's new plan of action envisages an almost threefold expansion of the centre for digital media in the Liberties area of Dublin by 2012. The aim is to create a "complete city quarter based on digital media enterprise" and to build on the construction work and local community learning initiatives completed under the former development plan, which expired last year ...
www.electricnews.net, 20th February 2007
Trócaire in innovative Web initiative to reach out to teenagers on web
A leading Irish aid agency is to use the worldwide web to promote global human rights. Trócaire will today unveil its annual Lenten appeal, but its plans will include the launch of a new website aimed at teenagers. The Just World website, billed as the first of its kind in Ireland, is being described as a Bebo-style social networking site which will tap into the issues of social justice and human rights ...
Online.ie, 20th February 2007
Offensive profiles of high profile TDs posted on Bebo
BOGUS web pages with highly inflammatory profiles of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Health Minister Mary Harney and other politicians have been posted on the social networking website, Bebo. While meant to be humorous, the profiles degenerate into personalised insults in some instances. Bebo works by allowing members post profiles of themselves on their own individual web pages. Members can send fellow Bebo users messages, photos and other information ...
The Irish Examiner, 20th February 2007
EUR 2.35m Dormant Accounts Funding To Support Disadvantaged Young People
Noel Ahern, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív T.D. Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, today announced that the Government has approved the allocation of some EUR2.35m ...
Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, 15th February 2007
Broadband should be as easily available as drinking water throughout Europe, says Caveri report
Broadband access at affordable rates should be as easily available as drinking water or electricity – in all areas of the European Union, the Committee of the Regions said today. The EU consultative body adopted a report by , P resident of the autonomous region of Valle d'Aosta in Italy , calling for public intervention, if necessary, to ensure that all citizens can benefit from broadband. "The internet is one of the most brilliant innovations of our time ...
Europa, 13th February 2007
Fourth annual Safer Internet Day
The fourth annual Safer Internet Day is being marked in 40 countries around the world today. The initiative aims to promote safer use of the internet and new online technologies through awareness-raising activities. With a particular focus on children, this year will see safer mobile phone usage highlighted. Following a report from the European Commission on child safety and mobile phones, leading mobile operators and content providers will today sign the European Framework for Safer Mobile Use ...
RTÉ News, 6th February 2007
Teenagers' profiles accessible on social websites
The vast majority of teenagers using controversial social networking sites such as Bebo make no effort to restrict public access to their personal profiles, according to a new survey. A majority say they have accepted as "friends" people they do not know but have merely "met" through the internet, the survey of 400 students attending last month's Young Scientists' Exhibition has found ...
The Irish Times, 6th February 2007 (Subscription required)
Think before you click, site warns teenagers
THINK before you click is the strong message of an internet safety campaign designed to protect teenagers from overexposing themselves on social networking sites. There is growing concern about the personal information and pictures being shared on sites such as Bebo and MySpace, often available to an unrestricted, worldwide audience ... (site may require free subscription)
Irish Independent, 2nd February 2007
CAO apologises for website difficulties
Emma O Kelly, Education & Science Correspondent, reports that some students have found it impossible to file their applications via the CAO website over the past couple of days (Note: Audio link - Requires RealPlayer).
RTE One News, 1st February 2007
Schooled in the skills of the digital age
The Community College in Dunshaughlin has been designated a Microsoft School of the Future for Ireland. The pioneering school has been recognised locally and nationwide as a leader in the use of IT for both administration and education purposes...
The Irish Times, 1st Feruary 2007 (Subscription required)
MySpace faces legal action over sex abuse claims
Four US families are suing News Corporation and its MySpace social-networking site after their underage daughters were sexually abused by adults they met on Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging negligence, recklessness and fraud by the companies ... (site may require free subscription)
Irish Independent, 19th January 2006
Internet site closes down after young girl's suicide claim
Jerome Morrissey, Director of the National Centre for Technology in Education, discusses the closure of Hateboard.com and methods of policing websites (Note: Audio link - Requires RealPlayer).
RTÉ Radio 1, Morning Ireland, 18th January 2006
Don't rush into Vista, schools told
A leading government advisory body has advised schools in Britain not to deploy Microsoft's latest operating system, Vista, for at least 12 months ...
Electric News (ENN), 11th January 2007
Bebo owners called on for Internet safety campaign
Teresa Mannion reports that the National Centre for Technology in Education has called on the company which runs the student website to invest some of its profits in a safety campaign (Note: Video link - Requires RealPlayer)
RTÉ Six One News, 6th January 2007
Call for State e-mails for pupils to fight online abuse
Every school pupil in the State should be provided with a Government-supplied e-mail address as a way of verifying their age when using social networking websites such as Bebo.com, according to the website's chief security officer. John Downes reports. This could in turn help to prevent "grooming" of young children by older men and help to combat the risk of bullying by helping to establish the identity of individual users ...
Eircom.net, 6th January 2007
Microsoft offers students cheap software
Every primary, secondary and third-level student in the country is to be offered heavily discounted Microsoft software which, when purchased, will also entitle their school to a rebate on its software licences. The programme is called Software4Students and follows an agreement signed between the National Centre for Technology Education (NCTE), the Union of Students of Ireland (USI), the Combined Higher Education Software Trust (CHEST) and Microsoft ...
Silicon Republic, 5th January 2007
Free PC's for Irelands 3-7 year olds Info
Schools across Ireland will be celebrating IBM’s KidSmart Early Learning Programme this Christmas with 43 schools nationwide benefiting from IBM’s continued commitment to the innovative use of technology in education ...
IrishDev.com, 19th December 2006
Next year will be 'year of podcasting': expert
Ireland's mainstream media is increasingly embracing podcasting but there's still a long way to go, according to one of the country's leading podcasters. The claim comes as new figures released by RTE Radio show that the national broadcaster is now publishing 30 podcasts a week, equivalent to over 60 hours of programming. RTE asserts that it is now the leading mainstream provider of podcasts in the country, with many of its broadcasts featuring on iTunes' Irish Top 30 podcast chart. The broadcaster is planning to expand its range of podcasts in the New Year. As well as making shows such as The Tubridy Show and Morning Ireland available via iTunes and the RTE website, the organisation said it intends to podcast several RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta programmes from January 2007...
www.electricnews.net, 14th December 2006
Microsoft creates digital library
Microsoft is launching a new online book search service that will enable internet users to find content from books, periodicals and other print resources. The new service will compete with Google's Book Search offering, which was launched in 2005. Google's service has run into controversy due to the search engine giant's scanning of content, some of which may still be copyrighted. Last year a number of groups including the Authors Guild launched a lawsuit against the firm. Microsoft is taking a more publisher-friendly route: the company is only offering access to non-copyrighted works initially, although it is believed that in the future it intends to include copyright works that publishers have given permission to use...
www.electricnews.net, 7th December 2006
Vista launches in Ireland
Microsoft released its new operating system Vista to nearly 1,000 business people and one astronaut in Dublin on 5 December. First Man on the Moon Neil Armstrong was in town to bring a space-age feel to the Redmond-based behemoth's latest major offering. "Technology is causing an overflow of information so in that respect technology has a role to play in stemming it," said Microsoft's vice president for Western Europe Pierre Liautaud. "We've made that one of the imperatives and motivating principles behind the products we are launching today: Windows Vista, the 2007 Microsoft Office system, and Exchange Server 2007. With over 15,000 people in Ireland participating in the [Vista] testing programme, the products address the specific challenges in Ireland -- namely finding information, helping people working together, managing increasing volumes of information, and reducing the cost of IT," he said...
www.electricnews.net, 5th December 2006
Content coming to the classroom
New digital content initiatives are under way from the NCTE (National Centre for Technology in Education) to make sure the schools broadband project is exploited to its full potential. With over 90pc of Ireland’s 4,000 school connected, the next challenge is to deliver education materials over the schools broadband network ...
www.silicomrepublic.com, 4h December 2006
New tech subjects for Leaving Cert
Second-level schools are to receive EUR25 million in funding to buy hardware for teaching new and revised technology subjects. The Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin announced the introduction of the funding on 30 November. Approximately 500 schools will receive funding which will be used to provide hardware such as PCs, laptops, printers, digital scanners and data projectors. There are three revised subjects and one new subject being introduced. Technology, which is already on the Junior Certificate curriculum, will now be available as a Leaving Certificate subject; Design and Communications Graphics (DCG) will replace Technical Drawing; Architectural Technology replaces Construction studies; while Engineering Technology will replace the existing Engineering course...
www.electricnews.net, 1st Decmember 2006
Dublin primary school develops digital curriculum
St Joseph’s Boys’ National School in Terenure has begun using a digital curriculum whereby every teacher has been supplied with a laptop and all of the classrooms have been fitted with a digital projector along with a wired and wireless network. The project has been funded by the pupils’ parents and the private sector after the school’s IT co-ordinator Declan Donnelly presented the concept and demonstrated the technology ...
www.silicomrepublic.com, 27th November 2006
RTE snares three Golden Spiders
RTE won the overall 'Grand Prix' at the Eircom Golden Spiders awards ceremony, held in Dublin's Burlington Hotel on 24 November. More than 700 people attended this year's event -- now in its tenth year -- where RTE also picked up shiny Golden Spider trophies for the best News, Media & Entertainment website category, and best Sports & Leisure website. Irish internet innovator Cormac Callanan was presented with the 2006 Internet Hero award for his contribution to the industry at home and in Europe. Callanan was a founder of the first Irish Internet Service Provider and has helped to establish, and held top positions in, several national and international online organisations. A number of new awards were introduced this year including best Broadband Application and best Professional Services website. These prizes were won by TG4.ie and RaymondPotter.com respectively ...
www.electricnews.net, 24th November 2006
Internet safety for schoolchildren
The “ThinkuKnow” programme has been developed by the Child Exploitation and Online Centre (CEOP) and will be available to 11-15 year olds, 90,000 at present, in every school across the North. They will be taught by the police, child protection specialists and teachers of the perils of sex predators who target young people, particularly on chatrooms. As part of the programme, the children will have access to two DVDs demonstrating how paedophiles befriend children on the internet ...
The Irish Examiner, 23rd Nov 2006
Ireland a world leader in online legislation
Ireland is one of the best countries in Europe for legislation on online security, according to the chief safety officer of social-networking website Bebo.
The Sunday Business Post, 19th November 2006
Local teacher given grant to develop online history lessons
arlow teacher, John Farrell of Holy Family BNS in Askea has been awarded a grant to develop an online project to teach history. Tom Kitt TD, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Government Chief Whip presented John with his award in Dublin last week. The awards are part of the 'TeachNet programme' that aims to promote the use of the internet in classrooms. The programme is sponsored by Citigroup Ireland ...
Carlow People, 16th November
Microsoft completes Vista upgrade
Microsoft's Windows Vista, the software giant's first major upgrade of its operating system in five years, is complete and will be available to retail customers on January 30th. After a series of development delays, Windows Vista is front and centre of a new product cycle at the world's largest software maker that includes a new version of its Office business software suite ...
Business World, 9th Nov 2006
Stokane pupils celebrate as school wins top award
STOKANE National School in West Sligo, a pro-active school who have integrated information and communications technology into their whole curriculum were rewarded for their efforts last week when they became the first school in the Sligo/Mayo area to receive the Digital Schools Award. The Digital Schools Award was launched by Minister Mary Hanafin, T.D. in February 2006. The Award is managed by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) in partnership with CESI, INTO and IPPN ...
The Western People, 8th Nov 2006
Ten Sligo schools launch their websites
A Sligo town primary school has been singled out for leading the way in technology at the recent launch of 10 local school websites. Students and teachers in ten Sligo schools took on the roles of web masters, photograph editors, and news editors to create dynamic websites as part of a national software programme sponsored by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE). To mark their success Sligo Education Centre hosted a launch for the schools involved ...
Sligo Weekender, 7th Nov 2006
New grants for 50 teachers to develop online content
The TeachNet programme has awarded grants of EUR750 to 50 primary and post-primary teachers to help them develop online curriculum content in their subject areas. Tom Kitt TD, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Government Chief Whip, presented the awards at a ceremony in the headquarters of the main sponsors of the TeachNet project, Citigroup, in the IFSC ...
www.siliconrepublic.com , 2nd November 2006
Grammar school gets to grips with local traditions
A Sligo Grammar School student project has received international recognition. The project, entitled ‘Local traditions and ceremonies’, recently represented Ireland at the Asia-Europe Classroom Network awards in Greece. It was undertaken by transition year (TY) students and two of their teachers, Deirdre Cox and Ruth Galbraith. The Asia-Europe Classroom Network was established eight years ago to organises and facilitates technology-based projects between schools in Europe and Asia ...
The Sligo Weekender, 31st October 2006
Minister Hanafin presents Digital Schools Awards to Scoil Treasa, Mount Merrion and St. Brigid's Boys N. S. Foxrock
Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, T.D., today presented the Digital Schools Award to Scoil San Treasa primary school in Mount Merrion and St. Brigid's Boys National School, Foxrock, Co. Dublin. The scheme which is funded by the Department of Education and Science, through the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE), aims to recognise excellence in a school's approach to the integration of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in learning and teaching ...
Department of Education and Science, 27th October 2006
Minister Hanafin presents Carnaun National School with a Digital Schools Award
Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin T.D., today visited Carnaun National School, Athenry, Co. Galway to present the school with the Digital Schools Award. The school is the first primary school in Co. Galway to achieve such an award ...
Department of Education and Science, 26th October 2006
Social sites will never be friends: MySpace
A leading MySpace executive has said it is extremely unlikely that there will ever be integration between social networking websites...
www.electricnews.net , 18th October 2006
Dundalk school leads way in ICT education
Technology in schools may not be as widespread as was once hoped, but there are several schools leading the way in integrating education and ICT. St Mary’s College in Dundalk, known locally as the Marist, has brought technology into the classroom with its National Centre for Technology in Education-funded TYTV project...
The Sunday Business Post, 15th October 2006
Integrating computers into the classroom
With Ireland attempting to move towards a knowledge economy, a skilled workforce is essential. While much has been made of encouraging students at third level to take up high-tech subjects, the reality is that technology can play an important part in the curriculum from a much earlier stage...
The Sunday Business Post, 15th October 2006
Online literacy resource launched
Google and UNESCOs Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) have joined forces with LitCam the Frankfurt Book Fair literacy campaign to launch The Literacy Project, a new online literacy resource for teachers, literacy organisations and anyone interested in reading promotion and education ...
www.siliconrepublic.com, 5th October 2006
Broadband rules OK!
Ninety-nine percent of Irish schools have internet access, with two-thirds using broadband to go online. That's according to a European Commission report on the use of computers and the internet in schools across 27 European countries (the EU25 plus Norway and Iceland), which reveals that Ireland stands in 20th position when it comes to broadband access.
www.electricnews.net, 29th September 2006
Minister O’Donoghue and Minister Hanafin formally establish Arts and Education Committee
Minister John O'Donoghue T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism and Mary Hanafin T.D., Minister for Education and Science, today formally announced that they have directed the Arts Council to establish a Committee, a statutory body, to advise on matters relating to Arts and Education and report to the Arts Council by May 2007.
Department of Education & Science, 28th September 2006
Bebo kids get one-click link to cops
Bebo is hoping to launch a new advanced reporting service in Ireland which will allow users to report illegal or suspicious activity directly to Gardai.
www.electricnews.net, 21st September 2006
Service to link Bebo users with garda�
THE woman charged with keeping social networking site Bebo free from paedophiles and pornography is to set up a service in Ireland that allows users to report illegal activity directly to garda�.
The Irish Examiner, 21st September 2006
Bebo fails to tackle porn, bullying
In April of this year, the National Centre for Technology in Education issued 10 recommendations to Bebo on how they could make their website safer for children to use. Chief among them was an appropriate registration process whereby the identity of the registered user is confirmed. However, to date, according to NCTE director, Jerome Morrissey, that has still not been done ...
The Irish Examiner, 15th September 2006
Microsoft battles against hacker programme
Microsoft is scrambling to update its Windows Media software after a hacker released a programme that circumvents a safeguard designed to prevent people from freely copying digital movies and songs.
The Sunday Business Post, 15th September 2006
Scientific literacy a right: academic
The director of Waterford Institute of Technology has called on the Government to make science compulsory in all schools. Professor Kieran Byrne wants a compulsory science syllabus in primary and secondary schools to be introduced as part of efforts to tackle the shortage of students achieving satisfactory results in maths and science subjects. Prof Byrne believes this will encourage more students to pursue science, engineering and technology courses in higher education -- vital for Ireland's high-tech economy.
www.electricnews.net, 1st September 2006
New IT qualification launched
Some of Ireland’s Institutes of Technology have launched a new programme for undergraduates and IT workers who do not hold official qualifications. EUCIP, the European Certification for Informatics Professionals, is an entry-level IT qualification which was developed by CEPIS, the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies.
www.siliconrepublic.com, 31st August 2006
Microsoft launches school educational pack
A suite of applications designed to help school students from primary to Leaving Cert level has been launched by Microsoft Ireland. The Microsoft Learning Suite for Irish Schools has been specifically tailored for the Irish primary school, Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate curricula and brings together 25 different packages including Microsoft Office Professional, Student 2007, Children’s Encarta and the Irish language packs, according to Microsoft.
www.siliconrepublic.com, 30th August 2006
Child expert calls for Bebo ban Info
A LEADING child health expert has called on parents to monitor their children's activities after she found explicit messages about herself on her son's Bebo webpage. Dr Deirdre Forde, from Kildare, was horrified when she clicked on her son's Bebo page to find explicit comments about her personally, made by her son's friends or someone he knew. Dr Forde said she was very concerned that children of nine or ten are being exposed to sexually charged language and pictures ...
Sunday Independent, 27th August 2006 (May require registration, which is free)
Bebo plans to ride cyber chat wave by appointing agency to attract advertisers
Bebo plans to ride cyber chat wave by appointing agency to attract advertisers Media & Marketing: Social networking website Bebo has appointed an agency to attract Irish advertising to the site, with companies and organisations like Permanent TSB and Open University signing up, writes Emmet Oliver Generator, the online advertising specialist, is representing the website, which claims to have 700,000 registered users in Ireland ...
Irish Times, 17 Aug 2006 (May require subscription)
Children lost and alone and surfing a tidal wave of trouble
CHILDREN surf the net: fact. Do parents shrug, knowing that new technologies are the thing of the future and that they don't fully comprehend the part they play in their children's lives? Or do they try gamely to partake of their children's interests, thereby in most cases reducing the children to stricken embarrassment in front of their friends? Because, of course, the children do have friends ...
Sunday Independent, 6th August 2006 (May require registration, which is free)
Guidelines offer net safety advice to schools
Post-primary schools have been advised not to publish class lists on websites in order to safeguard pupils. This is just one of the guidelines outlined by the Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin as she announced the publication of a number of policy templates on Wednesday.
www.electricnews.net, 3rd August 2006
US poised to ban social networking sites
The US is set to ban social networking sites like MySpace from schools and libraries in a bid to combat sexual predators. Under the Deleting Online Predators Act, any federal institution that receives funding under the E-Rate scheme for computers and internet access will have to put filters in place to prevent access to social networking sites. Access to these sites will only be permitted under adult supervision ...
www.electricnews.net, 1st Aug 2006
Parents need to regulate childrens internet access
Extra caution is being urged after a survey by the National Council for Technology in Education (NCTE) Webwise site showed that increasing numbers of children are meeting with strangers they only know through the internet. One in four of those new contacts turned out to be adults, who had introduced themselves online as children. The results indicate that fewer young people have rules on home use of the internet than three years ago ...
The Irish Examiner, 1st August 2006
Virus infections drop, spam on the up: report
While the rate of virus-ridden e-mails hitting Irish inboxes may be falling, the level of spam coming through to Irish inboxes is on the rise. That's according to the monthly virus and spam statistcis from Irish firm IE Internet, which provides managed e-mail and web services.
www.electricnews.net, 1st August 2006
Schools round broadband corner
The challenges around connecting more than 4,000 Irish schools to broadband have largely been overcome but there is still a long way to go before classrooms are reaping the educational benefits that fast ‘pipes’ can deliver...
www.siliconrepublic.com, 31st July 2006
Internet survey highlights need for parents to be alert to hidden dangers for young people - Minister Hanafin
A new survey on internet usage among 9-16 year olds in Ireland, shows most young people who use the internet to communicate or meet other children, reported a positive experience...
Department of Education & Science, 31st July 2006
It wasn’t the ‘Oscars’, but two local schools win short fim awards
The Regional F�S Awards were hosted by Monaghan Education Centre in the Hillgrove Hotel for what has to be the youngest film makers in the locality. This mini “Oscars” like event involved five local schools from counties Cavan, Louth and Monaghan, in a unique film making project where the students are the script writers, actors, camera operators, sound operators and film editors etc ...
The Argus, 12th July 2006
Microsoft ends support for Windows 9
Microsoft is to end customer support for its Windows 98 and Millennium Edition operating systems from Tuesday as part of its product lifecycle policy. IDC analysts estimate 70 million users of Windows 98 alone will no longer be able to avail of telephone customer or technical support from Microsoft, and the firm will also cease providing security updates by Tuesday.
www.electricnews.net, 11th July 2006
NCTE defends school net safety guidelines
The director of the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) Jerome Morrissey has defended the issuing last week of guidelines to schools governing internet safety. The move last week restricts use of the Government’s schools broadband network for accessing social networking sites.
www.siliconrepublic.com, 4th July 2006
Paedophile warning over teen websites bebo and MySpace
Schoolgirls are putting intimate details of themselves on the internet in increasing numbers and are a high risk of falling victim to paedophiles, a headmistress in the UK has warned.
www.dailymail.co.uk, 3rd July 2006
Schools to cut pupils off from their daily Bebo fix
Schools to cut pupils off from their daily Bebo fix. The controversial and hugely popular Bebo and My Space.Com websites will be banned in all schools from September. The schools will have a content filtering system which will block out these so-called social networking sites. Note: free registration may be required to view this article.
Irish Indpendent, 30th June 2006
Irish Times archive goes digital
The Irish Times and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government have signed a joint deal to digitise the newspaper's archives. Minister Dick Roche announced the project -- called Times of our Lives -- which will be co-funded by the Government and the Irish Times. Digitising the entire archive of one of Ireland's longest running papers is expected to be completed by 2008.
www.electricnews.net, 28h June 2006
Students use gorilla tactics in quest for film awards
A FILM about a pupil who turns a bullying teacher into a gorilla is one of two films, created and shot by children in West Cork, selected for a national awards ceremony.
www.examiner.ie, 21st June 2006
Microsoft Ireland launches e-security portal
Microsoft Ireland is fighting IT security threats with a training portal to help users stay up-to-date on how to deal with issues such as phishing and spyware, through its new free online security training portal, "The Learning Paths for Security". Launched on Thursday, the portal includes advice for IT users from beginner level to more advanced professionals on security issues, concepts and features.
www.electricnews.net, 15th June 2006
Microsoft patches eight 'critical' flaws
Windows users were issued with a bumper round of patches on 13 June after Microsoft tackled eight critical security flaws in one update. The flaws in Microsoft's operating system and Office software could allow malicious users to remotely control a PC. The updates address more than 21 security flaws and vulnerabilities throughout Windows, Word, Internet Explorer, PowerPoint and Exchange Server, with 12 patches in all.
www.electricnews.net, 14th June 2006
The Internet Experience In Schools; Tipperary Institute, Thurles, Thursday 15th June
Join 150 Teachers, Principals and Internet education specialists at Tipperary Institute in Thurles on Thursday 15th June for a daylong forum. During the no jargon presentations you will learn how to effectively use the Internet for education. Speakers will cover topics such as managing your schools web presence, optimising the use of your school's broadband connection and proven methods for discerning whether on-line resources provide academically sound material.
Registration:
Online : http://www.tippinst.ie/schools
Phone : 0504 28266
Email : ydoyle@tippinst.ie
School kids in cross-Dublin web eco network
Primary schools in the south inner city area the Liberties in Dublin taking part in a unique Dublin City University (DCU) research project in collaboration with the National Botanic Gardens have become high-tech mini weather stations monitoring the growth of cactus, palm trees and orchids in desert and tropical rainforest conditions.
www.siliconrepublic.com, 15th May 2006
Education IT conference to focus on e-learning
Belfast will host a major conference next month that aims to address how technology can be used to enhance learning and teaching in schools here and in other countries. The Northern Ireland e-learning programme Classroom 2000 (C2K) will be demonstrated to delegates as part of the event.
www.siliconrepublic.com, 11th May 2006
IT Tralee launches e-learning initiative
The Institute of Technology in Tralee has launched a new MSc in Educational Technologies, which will be partly delivered via the internet. The Masters has been developed in partnership with staff from Canada's biggest third-level institute, the Memorial University.
www.electricnews.net, 8th May 2006
Industry hits out at inadequate IT in schools
The IBEC-based body representing the EUR51bn-a-year ICT sector has said that despite increased investment the Government has failed to put in place adequate plans to boost use of technology in Irish school classrooms.
www.siliconrepublic.com, 21st April 2006
Star Office 8 is now available to download free
Now schools can register online and download StarOffice 8 free of charge for use within their schools. Schools are also entitled to make copies of StarOffice 8 to give to students and staff for home use.
www.softwarecentral.ie , 30th March 2006
Irish Children Fulfilled by Film
Teaching through film is helping Ireland’s children learn key skills in communication, teamwork, problem solving and critical thinking, according to the Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin. The Government’s F�S film project has proved such a success that all of Ireland’s 3,500 primary schools will soon be using film right across the teaching curriculum.
www.apple.com, 28th March 2006
Broadband eases the grindstone for students
Eircom has joined forces with revision resource Exam Support to enable Irish Leaving Cert students to engage in interactive grinds using broadband. The www.examsupport.ie site combines cutting-edge technology and broadband applications such as video and audio lessons, full course notes and frequently asked questions for all major Leaving Cert subjects.
www.siliconrepublic.ie , 20th March 2006
Many pupils relying on the Net over teachers
The internet is now the second most popular source of information for students, according to a new NCTE survey.... (site may require free subscription)
Irish Independent, 13th March 2006
Government gets go-ahead to boost broadband
The Government has received permission from the European Commission to spend EUR170 million to boost broadband availability in Ireland.....
www.electricnews.net , 13th March 2006
Google launches web page design tool
Google has launched a tool to bring web page design capabilities to the masses, with less of the hassle and expense normally associated with this task. Google's Page Creator requires no software download, and not even the most rudimentary familiarity with HTML (Hypertext Mark-up Language) or any other coding knowledge....
www.electricnews.net , 24th February 2006
Government urged to invest in fibre network
Ireland should have a fibre optic broadband network with at least 50 times the current capability to underpin its knowledge-driven economy, according to Chambers Ireland, which is calling on the Government to invest in just such a high quality network connecting every business and household in the country.
www.electricnews.net, 16th February 2006
Minister Hanafin launches Digital Schools Award Scheme
The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, T.D., today launched the Digital Schools Award in the Sacred Heart Senior Primary National School in Killinarden, Tallaght...
Department of Education & Science, 10th February 2006
Schools in the Digital Age - Minister Hanafin opens Computer Education Society of Ireland Conference
Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, T.D., today opened the Computer Education Society of Ireland (CESI) Conference “Schools in the Digital Age” in Col�iste de h�de, Tallaght, Co. Dublin...
Department of Education & Science, 10th February 2006
Microsoft set to patch seven new flaws
Microsoft is due to issue seven new security alerts, at least two of which are graded critical because they involve security holes...
www.electricnews.net, 10th February 2006
Hanafin launches Website to promote On-Line Safety for Children
The Minister for Education & Science, Mary Hanafin, T.D., today, European Safer Internet Day launched the Webwise initiative (www.webwise.ie). Developed by the NCTE, it will provide information and resources in four specific areas, surfing, chatting, sharing, and gaming to teachers, parents and students to help ensure that children’s on-line activity is positive and safe.
Department of Education & Science, 7th February 2006
Wider access for young people vital to staying in hi-tech race
TODAY'S newly published report from the OECD: 'Are Students Ready for a Technology - Rich World?' confirms the central role that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is playing in the development of knowledge-based economies. Article by NCTE Director, Jerome Morrissey.
Irish Independent, 24 January 2006
A teacher's guide to blogging
If you think everyone else in the world has a blog, you may well be right. The bloggers' website Technorati estimates that there are currently around 70,000 new blogs created around the world every day - little short of one a second.
educationguardian.co.uk, 18 January 2006
Ireland slated for poor broadband rating
Ireland's poor broadband performance has been highlighted in yet another European survey, which shows that broadband saturation levels in Ireland are at just 1.7 percent.
www.electricnews.net, 13 January 2006
Just half of schools have full broadband connections
ONLY half of the country’s schools have been fully connected for broadband internet use but the Department of Education insists it should have the rest of them hooked up by its own deadline of next March
www.irishexaminer.com, 16 December 2005
Minister for Education and Science announces EUR40m funding for new technology equipment in over 500 post-primary schools
Over 500 post primary schools around the country are to receive grants to replace and modernise equipment in metalwork and technology rooms.
www.education.ie, 01 December 2005
Microsoft helps makeITsecure with new tool
To coincide with makeITsecure week Microsoft has launched a security assessment tool that allows companies to evaluate potential security risks they may face.
ElectricNews.net, 15 November 2005
Teachers to get training on web security
Teachers throughout the country are to receive internet and IT security training throughout November and early December through specially organised workshops organised by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE).
www.siliconrepublic.com, 9 November 2005
Safer Internet Magic and Friendship Storytelling Competition Winners announced
The overall winner is a remarkable claymation story from Castletown Girls National School in County Louth. This animation tells the story of Sarah Jane, a young girl who made the mistake of giving out her address when she was online...
www.webwise.ie, November 2005
Minister Hanafin Launches Website to Assist Teaching of French
The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, TD, haslaunched a new website for teachers of French in Ireland. This online resource came into being as a result of a co-operative project between the National Centre for Technology in Education and the Cultural Service of the French Embassy in Ireland. .
www.education.ie, 03 October 2005
Putting e-learning at top of class
According to Michael Kelly, chairman of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Distance-learning technologies that open up access to education are going to be vital in improving Ireland’s educational standing and create the knowledge basis for economic success in the future.
Siliconrepublic.com, 08 September 2005
School kids should have laptops: IBEC
IBEC has called on the government to provide a laptop for every second-level student in the country by 2010, putting ICT at the core of Irish education.
ElectricNews.net, 31 August 2005
Internet safety hits the road
An Italian initiative is taking Internet safety on tour around Italy this summer. The 'EASY tour' bus brings teaching materials, games and other fun activities to around a dozen cities
www.saferinternet.org, 20 July 2005
ICT education strategy on track, minister claims
The Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin has told siliconrepublic.com that future priorities and strategies for the use of ICT in education are currently being developed.
siliconrepublic.com, 18 July 2005
Microsoft Launches Irish Language version of Windows XP
Microsoft Ireland has announced the launch of the new Irish language version of Windows XP which is available for free to download from the Microsoft website.
Microsoft.com, 28 June 2005
Ten patches in Microsoft monthly update
Microsoft has released 10 security patches in its monthly update, three of which are critical, revealing new flaws in the world's most popular operating system.
ElectricNews.net, 16 June 2005
Free office software for schools
The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) has signed a master distribution agreement with Sun Microsystems to give more than 4,000 Irish schools access to Sun's StarOffice7 software.
siliconrepublic.com, 18 May 2005
Hate-spam hits inboxes worldwide
Inboxes around the world are being flooded with German right-wing themed e-mails with the help of the latest variant of the Sober worm.
ElectricNews.net, 17 May 2005
Call for Irish schools to embrace broadband
The project liaison manager working with the schools involved in the Diageo Liberties Learning Initiative (DLLI) in the Digital Hub has said that the rollout of broadband to Irish schools – due to be completed by the end of the year – won’t be a success unless there is a significant shift in attitudes towards technology.
siliconrepublic.com, 13 May 2005
Official Launch of eTwinning Action in Ireland
The Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science with special responsibility for Youth Affairs, Sile de Valera T.D., addresses the Official Launch of eTwinning Action in Ireland, in Bayside Junior School, Sutton.
Department of Education and Science, 9 May 2005
Tackling child pornography on mobiles in the UK
Increased use of 3G mobile phones and access to the web brings risks. There are concerns about who can view certain types of content. How is this controlled and how can the abuse of mobile systems for the dissemination of criminal Internet content be tackled?
www.saferinternet.org , 14 April 2005
Microsoft update includes five 'critical' Windows fixes
As part of its monthly update, Microsoft has released a slew of security patches, five of them critical.
electricnews.net, 13 April 2005
Cara wins schools service desk contract
The Department of Education and Science has selected Cara Group to implement the service desk component of the Irish Government’s schools broadband initiative.
siliconrepublic.com, 1 April 2005
Computer skills key educational aid for children
An article by Jerome Morrissey, Director of the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE). Registration required (Free).
Irish Independent, 30 March 2005
Ten technologies that are going to change the way we learn
Highlighting search technologies, data visualisation, blogging, bandwidth, collaboration tools and more. The article includes readers comments.
Robin Good, 21 November 2004
Hanafin announces EUR18million funding to support broadband roll-out to schools
The new funding for Schools' ICT is additional to the separate joint industry/government fund of EUR18 million that has been established for broadband provision to schools nationwide.
Department of Education and Science, 20th November 2004
Dempsey Announces Public Awareness Campaign on I.T. Security Issues to take Place on November 17 next
The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, T.D., announced details of ‘make IT secure’, a day when a nationwide information and awareness campaign about IT security issues will take place.
Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, 20th October 2004
The Internet offers teachers help with online lesson plans
In recent years, more teachers have turned to the Internet to pool expertise and to sample lesson plans tried and tested by other teachers.
Christian Science Monitor, 24 August 2004
Childnet Academy Competition 2005
This competition, with many categories, is open to participants under 18 yrs who may have developed an online project (website) or are using the Internet innovatively to benefit people worldwide. Winners get to participate in the Childnet Academy that will be held in Jamaica. Judging takes place in January.
Childnet, July 2004
Children ignore 'real Web risks'
Research in England has concluded that there is too much emphasis put on certain aspects of Internet safety for children at the expense of 'more realistic threats'.
BBC Online, 7 June 2004
Moticational Effect of ICT on Pupils
Using computers in the classroom can make pupils more sociable and open about their emotions according to recent research. (Word Document)
UK Department for Education & Skills, 25 March 2004
Illegal & Harmful Content on the Internet
A new Eurobarometer report from the European Commission examining the attitude of EU citizens towards illegal and harmful content on the Internet and their knowledge of how to protect their children against it.
European Opinion Research Group, March 2004
Ways of Knowing
The Minister for Education & Science, Noel Dempsey TD, recently launched a website and DVD that explores the issues of why, how and where we learn. The website and DVD are based on a book by broadcaster and writer John Quinn.
NCTE, 2 April 2004
New technology in Dublin classrooms
Smart Telecom's Powerline technology uses electricity sockets rather than a phone network to provide a broadband connection to each desktop computer.
Sunday Business Post, 7 March 2004
Irish School wins prestigious international ICT award.
Gaelscoil O Doghair in Newcastlewest, Co Limerick has been named as a winner in the 'Schools Category' at the Childnet Academy Awards 2004. The winning project used the Internet to retell the stories of mythical characters in Irish folkculture through the medium of Irish.
Childnet Academy, 23 Feb 2004
OECD identifies "disappointing" use of ICT in upper secondary schools
The extent to which computers are in use in most schools remains low, according to new report compiled from data in 14 countries.
OECD, 3 February 2004
ThinkQuest 2004
An international competition that encourages multicultural collaboration. Entrants build a website under a prescribed category. Closing date Feb 29. Too late for this year, why not start planning for next year?
ThinkQuest, February 2004
Survey of Web surfers dispels myth (pdf)
A new world study of Internet use finds TV viewing down among Internet users and evidence of a gender digital divide in many countries.
World Internet Project, 24 January 2004
Online learning a must at Deakin
An Australian university has taken online learning to the next step with every student now required to take at least one unit of their degree programme by computer.
The Standard, 13 January 2004
IBM wins in Guinness Living Dublin Awards
IBM's work to break down the "digital-divide" in education was recognised at the recent Living Dublin Awards.
IBM Ireland, January 2004
BETT Awards
The best of hardware, software and online resources from the BETT exhibition in London.
BECTA, January 2004
New 'visualisation' technologies can help students hone Web searches
Internet search engines often present users with too much information. However, new technologies are being developed that can help restore order to the chaos and may impact on the way the user mines the Internet for information.
eSchool News, 9 January 2004
BETT 2004 Round-up
UK schools appear to be more tech-savy than their countrparts in the rest of Europe. The BETT show opened in London with a further pledge of financial support for ICT in education.
PC Advisor, 8 January 2004
UK: On-screen GCSEs 'close to reality'
Pupils in the UK could soon be sitting part of their GCSE exams online. A pilot scheme has been running in Northern Ireland since 2000.
BBC Online, 8 January 2004
Fake universities thrive on the Web
Web-based UK universities appear to be thriving despite the efforts of the authorities to close them down.
BBC Online, 6 January 2004
World Summit on the Information Society: 10-12 December
Day One Highlights. Day Two Highlights Day Three Highlights
WSIS, 10, 11, 12 December 2003
Digital Divide - Analysis of the uptake of Information Technology in the Dublin area
Speech by Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for State at the Department of the Taoiseach, to the Information Commission.
Mary Hanafin Website, 5 December 2003
Study: School Web access falls short of pupils' expectations in US
A survey has shown that pupils with home Internet access are becoming increasingly dissapointed with broadband access speeds from schools.
eSchool News, 5 December 2003
Information Society Statistics - Ireland 2003
The Central Statistics Office has published a report on how ICT is being used in Ireland today, in the home and in business.
CSO, 25 November 2003
Fear the main block to use of computers
A lack of skills is stopping many people who have access to computers from actually using them, according to a survey in a disadvantaged area of Dublin.
Irish Independent, 25 November 2003 (Requires free registration)
Keep your PC healthy
An article which examines ways to protect your hard drive from viruses and worms. Contains a good links section towards the end.
(TES, 7 November 2003)
Laptops, who needs them?
A review of handheld devices and laptop computers from an education publication in the UK
(TES, 7 November 2003)
Children on the Internet - more opportunities, still some risk
New research from the London School of Economics shows key findings in relation to how children use the Internet.
LSE, 16 October 2003
US: Parents sue school over wireless network
A school district in the US has been sued by parents who fear that a newly installed wireless network might be causing their children harm.
Yahoo News, 10 Oct 2003
Schools transformed
Australia leads the way in "one child, one-computer learning", but the story should not be about the technology per se, but rather the way in which it is used.
The Age, 7 Oct 2003
Data Projectors - Bigger is better
Data projectors are growing in popularity. But what is it that makes them so successful. This evaluation guide explores their use.
The Guardian, 23 Sept 2003
Sharing Innovative Practice
The proceedings of the December 2000 SIP Symposium have been published by the NCTE. Edited by Conor Galvin from UCD's Education Department, the publication contains background information on ICT in education as well as reports from project coordinators on their progress to date.
NCTE, 14 January 2003
Extension of Information Age Schools Scheme
The Minister for Education and Science, Mr Noel Dempsey TD, has announced that the Information Age Schools Programme will be extended for a further year. In general terms this will see the DES paying for each school's IAS line rental and up to two hours Internet access per day.
Department of Education and Science, 12 September 2002
Blueprint for ICT in Education
Minister for Education and Science, Dr. Michael Woods, launches radical new EUR 109m plan for IT in education.
Department of Education and Science, 19 December 2001
The Impact of Schools IT2000
View/Download the report and recommendations of the National Policy Advisory and Development Committee (NPADC) on the impact of the Department of Education and Science Schools IT2000 Initiative.
National Policy Advisory and Development Committee, December 2001
RSS Feed
