ICT in schools
Naace Strategic Conference 2013 - Learning without Limits
Alongside Keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, the Conference will address the impact of ICT and the imperatives for schools, learning and CPD. There will be a strong BYOD theme running throughout the programme and a chance to hear the recent developments on the Naace Curriculum Framework.
Naace ICT Impact Awards will be presented throughout the two day event – and this year will see a less formal dinner on the evening of March 7 in the form of a TeachEat! More details on this coming soon.
New for the 2013 programme will be ‘Sponsor Zones’ which will provide delegates with half an hour hands on drop in sessions run by Naace Sponsoring Partners to showcase their latest products and ideas. A brilliant opportunity to explore products you’re interested in close up!
Task Furniture in Education - The research, design and development of innovative school furniture for classroom tasks, accommodating the latest technology and responding to new teaching methods.
Most task furniture in schools today is inadequate to meet the postural needs of students. With 88 million in full-time education in Europe alone and in the context of the proliferation of IT in the classroom and advances in teaching methods, posture, health and well-being of students is imperative.
The project emerges from ongoing and previous research undertaken in the Industrial Design Department at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin through its graduate school GradCAM and its international collaborators in the area of school furniture design and analysis. While there is a wide range of student task furniture available on the market today, most of it is inadequate to meet the postural needs of pupils and particularly in the context of the accelerating introduction of advanced classroom information technology.
European studies have found that 60% of school pupils experience back problems by the age of 16. The use of computers at home and in schools has changed the way that children and young adults learn, work and play. Yet, little emphasis has been placed on the health risks that arise from these changes in educational activity. The demand for appropriate school furniture is now urgent and in order to promote the health and well-being of future generations, the best possible school furniture is required. The introduction of European Standards EN1729 in 2006 has led to limited advances in pupil–centred furniture.
The aim of the project is to exploit the opportunity for knowledge transfer and new product development within a consortium of complementary researchers working in the field of Task Furniture in Education. ‘Task Furniture’ here refers to seating, desks and related items used by pupils in schools. The project is conceived and structured to research and develop new and innovative task furniture solutions addressing modern advances in teaching and learning, the integration of technology in the classroom and the postural implications for children and young adults in schools.
The initiative builds upon a strong foundation of the complementary experience and expertise in fields of research of the partners in TFE. In fulfilling the aim, it is intended to significantly narrow the gap between the known postural problems and the responses to them by the designers of the furniture currently available. Existing ergonomic research indicates serious long-term health problems being inflicted on children in our schools. This evidence only serves to highlight the corresponding deficit in design research that would examine creatively the potential for innovative, tested and proven, user-oriented furniture suitable for economic manufacture.
TFE commenced in January 2011 and run for four years. The total value of EU Commission funding is €1.33 million which will be matched by contributions from the partners. The project will be coordinated and led by researchers in NCAD in collaboration with academic and industry partners in Ireland, Germany, Portugal and the USA.
The European eTwinning Prize Competition 2013
The European eTwinning Prize Competition 2013 will award eTwinning projects in 3 categories by age (pupils age 4-11, age 12-15, age 16-19), as well as 6 special categories.
eTwinning is the community for schools in Europe. It promotes school collaboration in Europe through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by providing support, tools and services for schools. Over 5,000 projects involving at least two european schools have been developped since the project was launched in 2005.
Motivating Educators and Inspiring Learners Conference and Exhibition
This one-day conference and exhibition aims at engaging and motivating both learners and educators by showing the potentials of incorporating ICT in the classrooms.
Better Learning through Technology
Enhancing education through technology is a challenge for ICT professionals and educators the world over. NAACE and ALT recently published a report that provides a diagnosis of the current situation as well as ideas for how to advance in the right direction, based on contributions from a variety of professionals working on the field.
How can technology and education work together instead of running at different speeds or even at odds with each other? Professionals in the world of ICT and education are constantly addressing this question, one that is imperative for current and future generations. Most accept the premise that technology enhances learning, but where do we go from here? NAACE and ALT draw from the experience and opinion of a variety of contributors in their Schools Tech Report – Better Learning Through Technology to present discussions and conclusions that help us get our bearings.
In broad terms, the consensus seems to be that the relationship between technology and education has yet to be properly defined. The demands of the market are often not in alignment with educational objectives, and schools and classrooms are often reticent to fully embrace technological advances. The report further explores the consequences of this unstable relationship on several different levels, analyzing difficulties from the point of view of teachers as well as learners. A large portion of the paper, however, is dedicated to offering creative and thoughtful ways to overcome present challenges.
Some of these proposals include shifting to a framework that encourages “responsible but liberal use of new technologies,” and encouraging “formal and informal (peer guidance, self-organising “TeachMeets”, even student-led instruction) initiatives to help teaching staff develop their use of learning technologies.” More ideas, and ways to implement them, are available in the full report on the NAACE website.
Technology: Making the Difference (E2BN Annual Conference 2012)
Making the Difference is a two day conference and exhibition for school and Local Authority staff, technical staff, school governors and all those interested in raising standards through the use of technology.
The conference focuses on the ways appropriate use of technology in the classroom can make a difference in your school.
During the two days you will:
- Learn about the latest technologies and their impact in the classroom through a choice of 28 inspiring workshops
- Be able to take advantage of a wealth of practical advice from around the region
- See examples of how innovation and best practice is improving education in schools across the region
- Benefit from great money saving offers and conference discounts from over 70 exhibitors.
The conference sessions and workshops have been organised to help all delegates gain the confidence to exploit ICT more effectively within their schools or subject areas. This conference will also focus on E2BN initiatives and collaborative broadband provision.
There are only a few free spaces left on this year's annual two day conference. Book your place now.