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Cúntóir riachtanas speisialta páirtaimseartha ag teastáil i Scoil Mhic Dara, An Cheathrú Rua

May 31, 2012

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Scéalta ó Ghaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh

May 31, 2012

Sorry, this entry is only available in Irish.

New Course for Maths Teachers

May 31, 2012

The newly launched Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching (Part-time) aims to train out-of-field mathematics teachers over the next 3 years.

On Friday May 25th, the Minister of State for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock officially launched funding for the Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching (Part-time) which aims to train out-of-field mathematics teachers over the next 3 years.

In 2010, the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning (NCE-MSTL), based at the University of Limerick, drew attention to the systemic issue of out-of-field teachers of mathematics in a report which found that 48% of teachers teaching mathematics at post-primary level had no qualification in mathematics teaching.

Professor John O’Donoghue, Director, National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning (NCE-MSTL) said:

“This decision represents an historic step in moves to reform post-primary mathematics.

“Ireland’s urgent need to raise science and mathematics knowledge and skills in order to serve critical national educational, economic and entrepreneurial needs is well documented.

“This programme will support teachers to focus on subject knowledge and practice that will impact student performance and stimulate interest in mathematics and science”.

Jointly accredited and designed by NUI Galway and UL, the programme will be delivered nationwide free of charge through a national consortium of higher education institutions and the Association of Teacher Education Centres in Ireland. Approximately 400 teachers will begin the course this autumn.

The course will be a blended learning programme based on a part-time (2 year) university accredited professional diploma, delivered locally and through online modules. Google will support the flexible online delivery of the programme as the chief technology partner in the NUI Galway-UL Alliance led consortium.

The new programme is aligned with the national curriculum reform, Project Maths (2008-2015); the requirements of the Teaching Council as the statutory body for teaching in Ireland; and latest developments in innovative educational technology and mathematics education research. There will be specific provision for teachers in Irish-medium schools through a Dioplóma Gairmiúil sa Mhatamaitic don Mhúinteoireacht, supported by NUI Galway and Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Gaillimh.

Under the NUI Galway-UL Strategic Alliance, a team from the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics and School of Education, NUI Galway has worked closely with the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning (NCE-MSTL, UL) to develop the new professional mathematics education programme.

Speaking of the announcement, Dr Tony Hall, NUI Galway, said:

“The principal focus of this unique new course is to enhance teachers’ mathematical content knowledge and their understanding of the subject of mathematics, helping to support the wider national reforms currently taking place in mathematics education in Ireland.”

The NCE-MSTL leads a national consortium of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) established for the purposes of delivering this programme.

The consortium includes: NUI Galway, University College Dublin (UCD), St Patricks’ College, Thurles; Institute of Technology, Sligo; Institute of Technology, Tallaght; Institute of Technology, Carlow; Cork Institute of Technology; Dundalk Institute of Technology; Letterkenny Institute of Technology; Waterford Institute of Technology.

The consortium also includes, through the NCE-MSTL, its founding partners in the Shannon Consortium: UL (lead), IT Tralee, Limerick Institute of Technology and Mary Immaculate College.

Commenting on the launch, Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn said:

“The provision of this course provides further evidence of my personal commitment, and that of my Government colleagues, to supporting maths teaching in post primary schools.

“We are providing over €2million to fund this course, and are making it available at locations across the country and free of charge, to maximise accessibility and participation.”

Minister Sherlock said:

“The teaching community has shown significant interest in this course since my announcement last September. I am pleased that the course will facilitate teachers who are working during the day, with convenient local and online access.”

Partnering with Google Ireland brings distinctive benefits to the programme, enabling the providers to maximize the blended learning opportunities for students and providing possibilities for use of portable and mobile computing to enhance mathematics teaching in Irish schools.

John Herlihy, VP and Head of Google in Ireland said:

“Government, industry and academia all agree on the need for more students to study Maths, Science and Engineering subjects at third level and on the need to produce graduates with strong analytical and problem solving skills.

“The introduction of a Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching is an important step in augmenting how we teach maths in our secondary schools.

“I believe that providing ‘out of field’ teachers with the specialised skills to teach maths in an enthusiastic and knowledgeable way will be a catalyst for more students pursuing maths based subjects at third level.”

The programme will be offered free to eligible teachers starting in September 2012. Places will be allocated on a quota basis by the Department of Education & Skills. The programme is closely aligned with the needs of out-of-field teachers of mathematics, Project Maths and the requirements of the Teaching Council.

Applications are being accepted by going to the UL website here.

Call the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning (NCE-MSTL) on 061 234786 email info@nce-mstl.ie for further details.

EDUCATION MATTERS

Harkin launches Scholastic Languages 2012

May 31, 2012

At the launch of the Scholastic Languages Programme for 2012, Marian Harkin M.E.P. welcomed this opportunity for regional students.

She spoke of the importance of fluency in a European language.

“Most Europeans have at least two languages with many speaking a third. Now that Irish will be a working language of the E. U. since 2007, more and more people are learning Irish. I’m delighted to report that there are a number of successful Irish classes being run in Brussels right now.” She added that she felt such initiatives are a practical and positive step forward in the promotion and development of the Irish language.

Following eight years of success Scholastic Languages, a Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo based initiative, is running two language camps this July in Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo. It is offering the summer schools through a choice of either Irish or French for primary school and secondary school students in Sligo and Irish in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Primary school students actively participate in language classes in the morning and enjoy a wide range of fun activities through the chosen language in the afternoon. Scholastic Languages offer a new range of fun educational opportunities to regional students and to provide the confidence to communicate with greater fluency.

http://www.leitrimobserver.ie/

Gairmscoil Chú Uladh – Blitz Peil Ghaelach

May 30, 2012

Sorry, this entry is only available in Irish.

Múinteoir Béarla ag teastáíl ó Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin

May 30, 2012

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Coláiste Pobail Osraí – Turas go Bhéal Feirste

May 30, 2012

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Aitheantas buan do Ghaelcholáiste Chill Dara

May 30, 2012

Sorry, this entry is only available in Irish.

Closing date for applications for the Yellow Flag Programme on May 31st!

May 30, 2012

The Irish Traveller Movement’s Yellow Flag Programme is looking to recruit new schools interested in taking part in the Yellow Flag Intercultural Schools Programme in September 2012 to June 2013. The Yellow Flag programme is an equality & diversity initiative for both Primary & Secondary schools which promotes & supports an environment for interculturalism. More information on the Yellow Flag is available on the Yellow Flag website www.yellowflag.ie.

We piloted the programme in 2008/2009 and have continued to grow the programme in schools since then. Last year however was the first year that we started working with Gaelscoileanna and we are keen now to build on this and want to encourage other Gaelscoileanna to apply.

The 3 Gaelscoileanna that we are currently working with are

Gaelscoil Riabhach, Baile Locha Riach, Co na Gaillimhe
Gaelscoil an Bhradáin Feasa, Mornington, Co Meath
Gaelscoil Mhichíl Cíosóg, Gort Rd, Ennis, Co Clare

I’m sure if you wanted to chat to any of these schools that they would be more than happy to talk to you about their own experience and or what’s involved. As co-ordinator of the overall programme I am also very happy to explain a bit more about the programme.

Last year with the support of COGG we were able to translate the Yellow Flag Handbook into Irish which is available to download from the Yellow Flag website and or following link http://www.yellowflag.ie/images/misc/Irish_Travellers_v7_Irish.pdf

We were also able to support schools to carry out the Anti-Racism & Interculturalism Training with teachers through Irish and with parents through Irish & English. We are keen to build on the learning from working with the Gaelscoileanna this year and extend the programme to further Gaelscoileanna. (Please note however the number of schools we will be able to work with is subject to funding).

Application forms are available to download from the new Yellow Flag website www.yellowflag.ie (Just click on the tab “get involved”). The closing date for applications is 31st of May 2012.  This is to give us time to select the schools and meet with them before they finish up for the school holidays.

We appreciate that this might be a short timeframe if you are just hearing about the programme, but if you want to even signal your initial interest in hearing more about the programme be great if you could get in contact.

Any question or queries please don’t hesitate to email me at yellowflagprogramme@gmail.com or telephone 01 6796577. My colleagues Louise & Chantelle are helping to organise the recruitment so please ask for them if I’m not available.

Slán

Paula Madden
Yellow Flag Co-ordinator
Irish Traveller Movement
4-5 Eustace Street, D2
Tel: 01 6796577 or 0872410258

Campaí Samhraidh ar fud na tíre

May 29, 2012

Sorry, this entry is only available in Irish.

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