Using ICT to Transform Education in Scoil Chlíodhna CNS
In 2018, our school received free online support and ICT resources from the company Edanu. Our teachers used the website Cocoon and their resources to help develop the ICT skills of the children in our classes, and the skills of our teachers too!
From Junior Infants up to First Class, the children engaged in various coding and digital storytelling activities. The lessons made it really easy for teachers to lead the lessons in a very engaging and structured way. The teachers have commented on the “great scope for learning” which each lesson brings to the topic at hand.
The children really enjoy using the apps and programs recommended and supported by Cocoon, and the excitement is palpable when they know it’s time to log on and move forward to the next step! We have seen a real shift from the teachers being the “Sage on the Stage” to the teachers being the “Guide on the Side” when it comes to computer time in particular.
The children themselves are now teaching each other and they are learning from each other as they collaborate and problem solve through the use of these apps and programs. Even in Junior Infants, the children have been sharing their knowledge with each other – this shows just how powerful ICT can be in education!
The lessons from Cocoon have really benefited our teachers and children as they have streamlined the process and given us all a new impetus to embed ICT in our daily teaching and learning. Teachers must embrace the use of ICT in teaching, learning and assessment because technology has the power to transform education! Cocoon has been our perfect partner to date in helping transform education in our school.
“With the help of technology, teachers will be leaders in the transformation of education around the world” – Craig R. Barrett.