FóN Project wins European Language Award
The FóN Project (FÓN (Foghlaim Ón Nuatheicneolaíocht) or Learning through New Technologies) has won an award under the European Award for Languages. The award recognises creatives ways to improve the quality of language teaching and will take place in Dublin on the 25 September.
The FóN Project began in 2007 as a joint venture between the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Foras na Gaeilge and the National Centre for Technology in Education. It ended in May 2009.
The project investigated the use of ICT, particularly mobile phones, to enhance learning, teaching and assessment of oral Irish at Junior Cycle level. 420 students across six post primary schools accessed a voice-response system and responded to questions covering many topics within the Junior Cycle curriculum. Students also dialled into the system in order to conduct a "voice-chat" with another student in their class, school or in another school. Laptops were then used by teachers to download student responses and "voice-chats" in order to provide feedback based on the Junior Certificate marking scheme. Students were also sent vocabulary words and phrases through daily SMS and participated in supervised web-based conversations.
The project is currently being evaluated with findings due in late 2009. Preliminary findings have indicated that the project has had a hugely positive impact on student learning due to the following reasons:
* Students were motiviated by the technologies involved
* More opportunities were provided for students to practise their Irish and converse with others on the project
* There was a shift in learning from teacher led to student directed and this empowered students
* The ability to self assess allowed students to compare their levels of fluency with others
The schools involved are:
* Ratoath College, Co. Meath
* St. Louis Secondary School, Co. Monaghan
* Trinity Comprehensive School, Dublin
* St. Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, Belfast
* St. Joseph’s Grammar School, Tyrone
* St. Catherine’s College, Armagh.
Find out more about the project from the project website.
Related News
French.ie wins prestigious European Language Award
RSS Feed
