Promethean have released version 1.2 of their ActivInspire software. This version of the software brings Promethean back to the top of the pile as the very best IWB software money can buy. The main (and very annoying) flaw of the previous version was that they had gotten rid of the resource finder feature. This was such a big deal that I didn’t bother upgrading from ActivPrimary.
Opinion
Waiting for broadband
I just realised that today (or maybe it’s tomorrow) is the day that one year ago I rang the NCTE to request that they would supply my new school with their Broadband service. I asked how long the process would take and was assured it would take no longer than 2-3 months due to tendering … Read more
Why are we still being filtered in school?
Because of the annoying blocking of YouTube by the powers that be in HeaNet, Seaghan Moriarty from Digilogue and Scoil.net has created Teachers’ TV – an Irish version. Though the site is not completely finished, it is now live and accepting videos. The idea was hatched because a number of teachers really wanted to use … Read more
A committee to save ICT in schools
The Irish Independent featured an article about how Ireland is languishing near the bottom of league tables for computer usage. Everyone is pointing their finger at the government. So, a nice big committee full of Department of Education officials, a couple of quangos and the heads of Ireland’s major IT companies have got together to … Read more
An Bord Snip Nua recommendations
So the inevitable cuts the public sector will be facing will target health and education most. I don’t have too many issues with some of the cost-saving plans. I agree that we have too many schools and smaller ones should amalgamate unless they are expanding every year. We don’t need a school at every crossroad … Read more
Gaeilge…there are problems, aren't there?
Why not try a highly emotive ceist? The Irish language seems to get everyone’s juices flowing. Every couple of months a discussion is raised about the viability of our native language. A recent study shows that only about 3% of Irish people speak Gaeilge as their main language of communication. This is despite the fact … Read more
Is the WSE report on the Muslim school a little bit racist?
There’s been a lot of furore in the media regarding the latest WSE report published this week, based on the North Dublin Muslim NS in Cabra. The report is damning to say the least. Apparently, the school is not accounting for monies spent and certain subjects are not being taught. In fact, if this were … Read more
Taking our name in vain
Reading the latest INTO magazine, Intouch, I was surprised to see that both the INTO and the College of Progressive Education have decided to use the title “Anseo” in two of their respective areas. Firstly, the INTO LGB Teachers’ Group have decided to call their conference, “Anseo”, which is focusing on issues of inclusion in the staff room. This conference costs €40.
The end of the Blog
The NCTE are still rolling out their free web space but because they have two different hosting packages, everybody is confused including themselves. I’ve received a couple of emails since I gave my talk on Blogging at the CESI conference asking me about the Scoilnet hosting. I usually just refer them on to the NCTE helpdesk. However, I got a worrying email from someone who has been trying to get a blog up and running but has hit a wall because the people on the NCTE helpdesk don’t know what she’s talking about.
The next INTO directive
Many people I speak with are asking fairly valid questions: what are the INTO doing right now? Why are they being so quiet? Where is John Carr? I was at a meeting a few nights ago and, perhaps, I have a possible answer. Since the latest set of paycuts by our present shambles of a government, the INTO have been spending their time thinking of ways to send a message to Brian Cowen and co. to show that teachers aren’t happy.