Resources

Listen to David Puttnam & Harry McCann discuss the impact technology is having on Irish education, and what schools of the not-so-distant-future should be like, on the Futureproof show with Jonathan McCrea, Newstalk 106-108FM.

Access I.T. is a community based I.T. Training Centre that caters for ALL ages and literacy levels. They are an accredited ICS Skills & ECDL Test Centre based in Waterford.

For many small businesses, the question is not whether to trade online, it’s how to start? This scheme offers funding of up to €2,500, with training and advice on how to trade online.  To find out more, visit the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment website or contact your Local Enterprise Office to apply.

On the social network Twitter, a search for the hashtag #edchatie will result in a list of tweets about education in Ireland. A live ‘chat’ takes place on Twitter using this hashtag every Monday night between 8.30 & 9.30, about topics curated by Fred Boss. On Monday 7th Nov, a special #edchatie will take place dedicated to the issues raised in Episode 2 of Making Ireland Click: The Education Race (7:30pm RTÉ One on Monday 7th).

The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, in collaboration with the Department of Education and Skills, has introduced this new initiative which is also supported by RTÉ. This is a unique opportunity for students to become involved in a programme that has the potential to involve learning at many levels. This exciting programme also enables students to develop their creativity, critical-thinking and communications skills.

Comprising of some of the top young people in tech in Ireland, the Digital Youth Council aims to give a voice to young people involved in technology in Ireland and provide them with a platform to influence the National Digital Strategy, and the future of technology in education. Its founder, Harry McCann, features in Making Ireland Click.

In Making Ireland Click, we meet Renuka Chintapalli from Loreto Balbriggan who is a BT Young Scientist Winner. The BT Young Scientist & Technology Competition is open to all second level students from Ireland, both north and south. The next exhibition takes place 11th – 14th January 2017.

In ‘The First Click’ episode, Age Action matches tech-savvy transition year students with local older learners to share their knowledge and skills. More about the intergenerational work that Age Action do can be found on their website.

Marie O’Gorman, who appears in Episode 1 of Making Ireland Click, is a former Silver Surfer Winner. The Silver Surfer Awards celebrate and recognise the achievements of older people using technology and the Internet, as well as the volunteers who teach these skills. If you know someone who you would like to nominate for this year’s Silver Surfer 2017 awards, visit the Age Action website.

Age Action’s Getting Started Computer Training programme provides training in computers, smartphones and the Internet for people over the age of 55 all over Ireland. Visit their website for a list of venues you can attend a training course at.

In Making Ireland Click, Dr Brian O’Neill, DIT, discusses a study’s findings that Irish schools are considerably above the EU average in tackling internet safety issues amongst students. Read a summary and download the full report ‘Net Children Go Mobile’ compiled by Dr. Brian O’Neill and Thuy Dinh (DIT) from the Webwise website.

This interactive map can help you see if you will be covered by commercial operators, or are in an area of the country that will be addressed by the State intervention aimed at connecting communities across Ireland with high speed internet access. Please note that this map is currently being updated to add up to 170,000 premises. 

Third Age is a national voluntary organisation celebrating the third age in life when people may no longer be in paid employment, but can remain healthy, fulfilled and continue to contribute to society. Third Age run computer classes for beginners and intermediate every Thursday. Cost €15 for 4 weeks. Time 1pm to 3pm.

Sixth year student Lauren shows Marie, 85, how to use the internet in exchange for baking lessons. There’s many recipes available online, for example, the website Pinterest has a collection of home-made cake recipes posted by other people.

If you’re new to computers, smartphones and the Internet, Bank of Ireland’s team of Digital Arrows can help get you up to speed. They can show you how to bank online – safely and securely. There is a Digital Arrow in each of Bank of Ireland’s 250 branches nationwide. So the next time you’re near your local branch, pop in to have a chat with one of them.

The Irish Men’s Sheds association provides community spaces where all men have the opportunity to improve and maintain their health and well-being. Contact them to find out about learning opportunities.

An Cosán Virtual Community College (VCC) is an education initiative with a unique vision: To bring about social equality and an end to poverty through education using online and mobile technology. They offer a wide range of affordable online courses, and provide the support you need to help you reach your full potential. Bursaries are available if required. Programmes offered include: Learning to learn at Third Level, Technology Enhanced Learning, Citizenship and Social Action, Community Leadership. #LoveLearningVCC

Every day we use dozens of apps, websites and online services which share and collect our personal information. On Spunout’s Online Safety Hub, you can find out more about how to control your information, stay safe when online and confidently navigate any potential challenges that may arise from spending more and more of our time online.

Digital Schools of Distinction is a flagship programme which aims to promote, recognise and encourage excellence in the use of technology in primary schools. View a list of digital schools on the Digital Schools Website.

NCBI produce a monthly technology podcast letting people know what’s happening in the world of Assistive technology for those with low or no vision, but with an Irish perspective.

CyberSafeIreland was established to provide expert, balanced and professional guidance to schools, children and to parents in the safe and responsible use of all communications technologies. We focus on children aged 9 to 13 when they are first exploring many aspects of online communication. We want to empower children to be stronger, smarter and safer online.

The PorterShed is the first step towards an Innovation District in Galway City. The PorterShed will allow entrepreneurs to use collaborative spaces, mingle with other entrepreneurs and have efficient access to everything from insights into the latest technology to legal and financial advice.

The Mill is Drogheda’s first purpose built community enterprise centre. It is the result of a public-private partnership which was conceived over 5 years ago. It aims to become the Hub for the accelerated creation & growth of healthy new enterprises in the South Louth, East Meath and Drogheda areas. Through various programmes and facilities they promote and support a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation at every level in the local community.

The aim of Digital Dún Laoghaire is to replicate the success of other digital centres like the Digital Hub in Dublin 8, while also bringing together a number of the town’s existing digital start-ups. Currently, over 60 companies are based in Dún Laoghaire, ranging from start-ups to multinational companies. Based on a recent survey of these companies, they jointly hope to create 450 new jobs in the town over the course of the next two years.

The LEADER Initiative is a method of mobilising and delivering rural development in local rural communities. LEADER uses a ‘bottom-up’ or community led local development approach to rural development. Through the framework of local development strategies with all funding decisions being made at a local level by Local Action Groups (LAG) LEADER can and does make a real difference to the daily lives of people in rural areas. A LEADER guide and factsheet can be found on the National Rural Network’s website.