One child in five surfs net via mobile devices [Independent.ie]
- Published: 21 October 2010
ONE in five children is using a handheld device such as an iPod to surf the internet, presenting parents with a new challenge in keeping track of what youngsters are viewing online.
The EU Kids Online survey examined the activities of children aged nine to 16 who use the internet regularly. It found that, within that group, the Irish used it less frequently than children in other countries.
But 21pc of the Irish go online on devices such as an iPod Touch or Sony PSP -- double the EU average. About 28pc go online from a mobile phone, in line with the EU average.
Parental involvement is particularly evident in Ireland, with 93pc practising some form of mediation. Parents in Ireland are more restrictive in their approach to their child's online activity -- 94pc compared with an EU average of 83pc -- in the form of setting rules to manage their internet use.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Irish children are among safest for online behaviour [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 21 October 2010
IRISH children are among the safest in Europe in their internet behaviour but almost one-in-10 has seen sexual images online.
An EU study of children aged nine to 16 found that just 7% of young Irish people have given out their address or phone number on profiles in social networking sites, such as Bebo or Facebook, half the number who have done so across the EU. Almost 60% of children in Ireland and throughout Europe use such sites, according to the research published today.However, using the internet for school work was most common among all EU children (84% of respondents use it for school), followed by watching video clips (83%), playing games (74%) and communicating through instant messaging or email (61%).
The most common location for accessing the internet is at home, followed by school, but only 35% of Irish children use it in their bedrooms, compared with almost half of all EU pupils. One-in-five children in Ireland access the internet from a handheld device and nearly one-third do so from a mobile phone.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Schools to finally get €10m water grants [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 21 October 2010
MORE than 1,800 schools are to receive grants worth almost €10 million to help reduce their water usage and save money – almost a year after applying for funding.
The country’s 4,000 primary and second-level schools were told by the Department of Education before reopening in August they should conserve water to save on bills from their local councils. But the Irish Examiner reported last month that almost half of them applied for water conservation grants advertised in October 2009, and were led to believe the funding would have been available to carry out the work during the summer holidays.The delays could cost schools up to €3m in a full year, according to the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), which said parents would be forced to help fund those shortfalls.
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan will announce today that department officials will contact 1,823 schools approved for the €9.75m funding shortly to instruct them how to proceed. The grants, averaging €5,348 per school, will cover the costs of installing percussion spray taps, thermostatic mixing valves and water displacement devices.
"I would ask schools to ensure that they get best value for money on prices for jobs in the more competitive construction market," the Education Minister said.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
€9.75m scheme to promote water conservation measures in 1,823 schools - Tánaiste [education.ie]
- Published: 21 October 2010
'Funding of almost €10m will see major improvements in water conservation in primary and post primary schools around the country,' says Tánaiste.
1,823 primary and post primary schools across the country will be able to carry out works to reduce their use of water under a €9.75m scheme announced today by the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD.
Announcing the fund, the Tánaiste said: 'I am delighted to confirm that these 1,823 schools will benefit from funding which will help to reduce their use of water, with a consequent reduction in the running cost of schools.
'The fund of almost €10 million will finance over 1,823 projects in these schools to reduce their water usage through the installation of water displacement devices, percussion spray taps, thermostatic mixing valves and other water controls.
'These works will reduce the water charges being paid by schools and I am delighted to be able to provide Boards of Management and Trustees with a means to do so.
'I'd ask schools to ensure that they get best value for money on prices for jobs in the more competitive construction market,' said the Tánaiste.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Homework is not worth the effort [Independent.ie]
- Published: 19 October 2010
As a primary school teacher, I question the importance of giving homework to pupils.
From a teacher's perspective, one spends a lot of time giving the homework, checking that it has been completed and reprimanding students who don't do it or forget to present it.
If, instead, you spent this valuable time teaching a lesson that could differentiate the child's learning style and ability, as Pat Gough, president of the Irish Primary Principal's Network suggested, one would have achieved much more.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
