Here in Scoil Bhríde we acknowledge the impact ever changing Digital Technologies have on the lives of our young people. We embrace the change and endeavour to prepare our students’ to engage with IT as responsible ‘Digital Citizens’.
Each classroom is equipped with An Interactive Whiteboard with the Infant classroom having a state of the art IFS (Interactive Flat Screen). These devices are used daily to bring lessons to life and to enhance the learning outcomes for each individual.
We have a suite of laptops and Ipads that are used regularly by the pupils as they complete group projects and present their work on the various education platforms eg. Book Creator, Kahoot and PowerPoint to name but a few.
In 3rd & 4th class the pupils complete an 8 week computer course with a visiting teacher and are taught the basics of Microsoft Office (Word and Excel Applications) as well as typing. This is invaluable to them as they progress through their educational journey.
Recently the school set up GSuite for Education for all pupils from 3rd to 6th Class. Each pupil has their own account and can engage with learning through Google Classroom and Google Meet. Not only was this invaluable during the recent school closures but it is also proving to be a worthwhile tool facilitating both teachers and pupils as they collaborate on group projects.
The Juniors (Junior Infants to Second Class) use Class Dojo to engage with home and keep parents up to date with day to day activities in school.
While we acknowledge the importance of technology in the education of our students we are also acutely aware of the downfalls and dangers of the ‘screen’! To this end we invite the local Gardai to speak to the children in 5th and 6th class each year on the safe use of the internet. We also take part in the Webwise Safer Internet Day and use the Webwise resources to educate our pupils about online safety and responsibility.