NCTE (National Centre for Technology in Education)

NCTE logo

October 2011

Welcome to the NCTE email newsletter.

Our newsletter aims to provide ICT news and information to Principals, ICT coordinating teachers, teachers and all those involved in education.

NCTE: Scoilnet

Competition for Teachers

scoilnet image Encyclopaedia Britannica are running a major national competition through Scoilnet for teachers during the month of October. Teachers will have the chance to win a range from prizes for themselves and their schools including an iPad2, and other high-tech classroom-based software and hardware from Promethean and e-instruction.

For the competition, teachers and student teachers are invited to submit an online learning activity focusing on the use of Britannica’s interactive online resources in the classroom. The activity can be for any level, topic or subject, but should show practical and creative ways to use Britannica in a classroom.

Also remember to follow Scoilnet on Twitter!

NCTE: Continuing Professional Development

NEW ICT Courses

CPD image Two new ICT courses have been released by NCTE and are now available in education centres. Both courses are suitable for those with limited ICT skills and focus on literacy, numeracy and special educational needs. The skills learnt and content covered are also applicable to interactive whiteboards. See the following links for details:
Getting Started with your Laptop and Digital Projector
Creating ICT Resources

NCTE Course Schedule

The autumn schedule of NCTE courses has now been published. Ongoing updates are made to this schedule so please check back regularly. All courses are fully funded by NCTE/free for teachers attending. Contact your local education centre to book a place.

Top 10 Myths About Online Safety

IS image Researchers recently published a list of the top 10 myths about internet safety for children to show how many peoples’ knowledge of online dangers are out of date.

Among common mistakes is the belief that putting a PC in the family living room will help keep young people away from risky behaviour. In fact, say the team from EU Kids Online, children find it so easy to go online at a friend’s house or on a smartphone that this advice is out of date. Parents are better advised to talk to their children about their internet habits or join them in some online activity.

NCTE: e-Links

IS image e-Links, the online community of practice for post primary ICT Coordinating Teachers is currently undergoing some changes, one of which involves the log in procedures. We will soon require all members to register for a Scoilnet Account. The bonus of this, is that as a user, you could also access other Scoilnet services such as Scoilnet Maps, Encyclopaedia Britannica and more.

In order to transition your current e-Links account to Scoilnet we will need you to:
Register for a Scoilnet Account by going to https://admin.scoilnet.ie/registration/ and filling in the form there.
Send your new Scoilnet Account username (only – your password is not required) to elinks@ncte.ie by Monday 31st October.
We will confirm with you that we have received your new Scoilnet Account username.
All accounts will be transitioned across to Scoilnet Accounts during the Autumn mid-term break.

NCTE: FÍS Film Festival

FIS image We are delighted to have received so many films for FÍS this year which will be held on the 16th November 2011 in the Helix in Dublin. The judges are looking at the films and will soon be announcing what schools will be coming along on the 16th to the FÍS Film Festival 2011. Now is the time to also start thinking about producing a film. Check out www.fisfestival.com for resources and ideas. Also, contact your education centre and see if there is a course you can attend.

NCTE: Technology

What is a Visualiser?

technology image A visualiser, also known as a document camera, is a camera mounted on a stand that connects to a projector. In many ways a visualiser is a ‘modern’ combination of a camera, a microscope and the overhead projector. Documents or objects can be placed under the camera and the image projected onto a screen/whiteboard. It is ideal for showing 3D objects, sharing books, children’s work, photographs and pages.

NCTE: Planning

planning image The e-Learning Plan template can be adapted depending on the areas your school has decided to prioritise. The e-Learning audit templates are designed to be adapted and customised for your school’s particular needs.

Junior Spider Awards

Details of the 2011 eircom Junior Spider Awards have been announced. This is the third year of the awards, which recognise and reward primary and post primary students for the pioneering and successful ways they use the internet in their daily lives. NCTE is a partner of the Awards.

Gifted Kids webinars

Giftedkids.ie, the voluntary advocacy and support website for exceptionally able and twice exceptional children, are planning further free online webinars for this Autumn. Schedule available soon. Supported by NCTE.

#ccGlobal

chat icon Connected Classrooms is the concept of #ccGlobal, which started back in June 2011 when teachers from Virginia, USA and Sydney, Australia wanted to create a network of connected schools where students from different countries could work on similar projects. The concept has evolved to include a matrix of connections between schools in Virginia and Sydney and which has now spread to include schools in Ireland and the UK. .

Global eSchools Community Initiative

world icon The Global eSchools Community Initiative (GESCI) has been launched in Kenya. Founded by the UN ICT Task Force, the independent international non-governmental organisation (NGO) will contribute to the development of a knowledge society in developing countries through the provision of strategic advice and technical support on the integration of ICT in Education, Science, Technology and Innovation systems.

More News

useful weblinks icon Be sure to check online for our International News, Competition News and Useful Weblinks, which include information about the LASCO Maths Challenge, the Future Creators, Maths Week, the Transit of Venus, DOTS - online ICT in languages and YouTube for Teachers.

Tell others about this Newsletter

Know someone who might be interested in this email Newsletter?

Why not forward it to a friend. Simply click on the image or here>>

Remember you can also subscribe to the NCTE RSS Feed, visit the NCTE News Online or follow us on Twitter.

About Us

qr code The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) is an Irish government agency established to provide advice, support and information on the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in education.