Lámha Suas! 2009 [ppds.ie]
- Published: 13 July 2009
Lámha Suas! 2009 (PDF)
Lámha Suas! is a curriculum-based magazine, generally thematic in nature, that is circulated to schools. This year's theme is language and literacy across the curriculum. Click here to download Lámha Suas! 2009 (PDF)
Irish Interactive Whiteboard Survey [anseo.net]
- Published: 13 July 2009
A lot has changed in the world of Interactive Whiteboards since 2008. In fact, you could say the landscape has completely changed since last year. Choosing an IWB is no longer a two horse race.
Computerised testing likely to replace traditional UK exams [Guardian.co.uk]
- Published: 12 July 2009
For generations, hundreds of thousands of pupils have spent the end of the school year in gymnasiums scrawling answers to the sound of the ticking clock. And every summer they have endured a nerve-wracking two-month wait for their results.
Exams have been a rite of passage for millions, but within a decade they could be consigned to history, according to one of the most senior figures in the system.
Simon Lebus, chief executive of Cambridge Assessment, said that traditional examinations are likely to disappear within 10 to 15 years, to be replaced by computerised testing.
Instead of three-hour written exams, there will be continual e-assessment throughout pupils' courses. Exam boards are investing millions of pounds in developing the technology - and, Lebus claimed, it's not "science fiction".
He said: "The likelihood is that in the next 10 to 15 years it will change almost out of recognition in that by the end of that period of time you'll be able to do exams more or less on demand, on screen.
"You can make the learning more valid and the technology can enhance the way people engage in the subject. It's very expensive, complex stuff to do. But it is achievable. It's not a vision based on a sort of science-fiction type fantasy."
cf. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jul/12/written-exams-computerised-testing
Court rules that schools do not have to take in problem pupils [independent.ie]
- Published: 11 July 2009
SECONDARY schools will find it much more difficult to offload problem pupils after a landmark High Court ruling yesterday.
The court ruled that the department was not entitled to use its appeals system to force another school to take a difficult student instead.
There has been a long-running controversy over the practice of certain schools refusing to enrol or expelling students, such as those with behavioural problems or special needs, and pointing them elsewhere.
At second-level, the Vocational Education Committee (VEC) sector claimed that it had become a "dumping ground" for such pupils.
The case centred on a fifth year Leaving Certificate student whose parents were given the clear impression that, because of his behaviour, he should not return to St Mary's Christian Brothers, Mullingar, Westmeath, in September 2007.
Parents agree to compromise in Irish language row [independent.ie]
- Published: 11 July 2009
A DISPUTE over language that divided a school community in the Kerry Gaeltacht has been resolved -- and all sides say they are happy.
The row centred on whether pupils were entitled to an education through both English and Irish at a school with an all-Irish policy.
The High Court was told yesterday that parents of 12 pupils at Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne/Dingle Community School had settled their action against the Department of Education and Science and the school's board of management.
The deal protects the all-Irish policy of the school, but allows students who have difficulties with Irish to have a bilingual education, while receiving supports to improve their Irish.
