450 Teachers attend Irish Teaching Conference
November 16, 2011
Over 450 Irish language teachers descended upon NUI, Maynooth last weekend, to attend An Tionól Teagaisc. Organised by the Second Level Support Service, An Tionól Teagaisc, was a national forum for Irish language secondary school teachers with a choice of over thirty workshops to attend.
The event began with a keynote address by Dónall Mac Diarmada, from the State Examinations Commission, who gave a thorough run through of the changes which have been recently effected on the Irish language leaving certificate examination.
This keynote address sparked many questions from the audience, and Mac Diarmad took the time to address each and every question.
During the discussion, some teachers expressed their dissatisfaction with the current model whereby students undertake a common Oral examination, and recommended that such an exam should be streamed with a choice for students of Higher or Ordinary level.
The Tionól took place over two days, with a choice of over 30 workshops on the Saturday, covering a very wide rang of topics. Special emphasis was placed on information and communication technology (ICT). Cathal Ó Mórdha spoke about how to get the best use out of an iPad when preparing for the Leaving Certificate oral exam.
Seán Ó Gáibhín discussed the interactive white board, and Dr. Marcus Ó Conaire described a current project which he has recently launched with support from An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, which includes an archive of teaching aids and audiovisual material online on iTunes. This material can be accessed by logging on to iTunes, selecting the category, K-12, and searching for the term “COGG”.
During the Tionól, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge launched the DVD Cuireadh Chun Cainte, a practical guide to the Oral exam for those undertaking the Leaving Certificate course.
Gaelport
