NCTE: IBM Kidsmart
IBM Kidsmart Early Learning Programme 2009
Schools across the country have once again benefited from IBM’s continued commitment to education and innovative use of technology in education when they received Young Explorers™. Through the IBM KidSmart Early Learning Programme, 40 schools received 78 Young Explorers™ in this latest round of donations. This is IBM’s 10th successive year of the very successful and innovative KidSmart Early Learning Programme in Ireland. When this round of donations is complete, IBM will have donated a total of 709 KidSmart Centres to more than 375 schools across the 26 counties of Ireland since the programme launched in 2000. The computer centres, which have been specially designed for three-to-seven year old pupils, aim to provide an effective jump start in early learning and teaching, and open up the world of technology to its users.
At the end of September, IBM launched a booklet containing 16 KidSmart case studies from 15 countries, including one from The Holy Spirit School, Kilkenny. The studies focus on the impact the programme has had on the learning of children with a wide range of special educational needs. These compelling studies detail the variety of ways in which KidSmart has opened up new opportunities for disadvantaged children to fulfil their potential.
Hard-copies of the booklet can be requested from kennedyd@ie.ibm.com. A soft-copy version will be available on the IBM KidSmart Early Learning Programme and NCTE websites shortly.
To accompany the roll of the new units NCTE would like to announce a new release of Learning Village Ireland an online support and collaboration forum with the KidSmart Early Learning Programme. The aspiration is to build an online community linking KidSmart programme participants, other teachers, ICT specialists and individuals from NCTE, IBM and the hosts Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (formerly Riverdeep).
Over the coming months we will continue to develop and upload Curriculum and ICT resources to assist KidSmart teachers in integrating the KidSmart Early Learning unit into their classroom.
Learning Village is a powerful curriculum management solution that enhances the teaching and learning experience by connecting educators to the best practices, instructional strategies, lesson plans, and resources that enable measurable student achievement. From one central portal, educators tap into a wealth of web-based curricula, and collaborate in the broader district-wide learning communication.
Information on the Learning Village can be found at http://hmlt.hmco.com/LV.php
Learning Village Ireland access requires a computer and an Internet connection. A fast broadband connection will ensure that the wealth of features in Learning Village are delivered to your desktop seamlessly. If you are a school has received Young Explorers™, through the IBM KidSmart Early Learning Programme at any time since its launch way back in 2000 you will need new usernames and passwords . For further information email jrust@ncte.ie and we will arrange for new contact details to be sent to your school immediately.
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