Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 24/01/2013. Tags: Primary School News
Primary school teaching methods could be improved through greater use of technology in the classroom.
This is according to Sean Cottrell, director of the Irish Primary Principals' Network, who has told the annual summit of the Irish Technology Leadership Group that the teaching of each subject could be delivered by technological means.
Going forward, the government might therefore choose to set goals with regard to the creation of an IT-based curriculum.
Entitled Education and Skills for Ireland's Tech Industry - Closing the Gap, the gathering saw Mr Cottrell present his ideas on how Ireland could become a leader in technological progress during early education.
He stated: "It could start by committing to the teaching of a single subject through technology - science or maths - from junior infants through to the
Junior Certificate."
In addition, Mr Cottrell put forward the idea of making foreign language study a part of the
primary school curriculum, explaining having this skill could help young people in their later attempts to enter the labour market.
Written by Donal Walsh
Comments
Shane
(24-01-2013 22:13)
Cottrell is a very positive thinker on technology in schools - pity that most teachers and principals don't seem to get it.
Jennifer K Brooks
(25-01-2013 16:43)
I completely agree with Mr. Cottrell in his desire to harness the power of teaching with technology. I have taught primary through middle grades for fifteen years and developed my own curriculum using student's interests and technology to enhance instruction. The success of my students using this curriculum amazed me. My curriculum book, Teaching Technology Through Interest Projects, is available on the Critical Thinking Company's website: http://www.criticalthinking.com/getProductDetails.do?code=c&id=09601