St Joseph's recognised for digitally enhanced learning

St Joseph’s Secondary School in Rochfortbridge has been chosen to participate in a Microsoft initiative for schools that are at the forefront of integrating technology to improve pupils’ learning experiences.

The school is one of fewer than 10 in this country chosen as a Microsoft Showcase School, described by the IT giant as a “global community of schools engaged in innovative change to improve teaching and learning”.

Using Microsoft’s specialised software, St Joseph’s can keep in touch with other Showcase Schools around the globe.

“It gives us a close link to other schools that are also pushing forward with technology,”said ICT teacher Stephen Eustace.

“It is like being part of an IT club really – we get the chance to liaise with other schools and see what they are doing.“For example there was a large event in Microsoft the weekend before last.

“Leaders all around Europe met up to discuss what’s happening in technology to showcase best practice.”

Mr Eustace, who is one of fewer than 20 Microsoft Innovative Educator Fellows in the country, says that both staff and pupils have embraced the introduction of technology in the classroom.
The vast majority of teachers now write their classroom notes on tablet devices, which are displayed on the digital blackboards in the classroom. The notes can also be downloaded by students when they get home in the evening, meaning that they concentrate more during class as they can be distracted by having to write.

“It [using the tablet] improves student behaviour as you are not turning your back on them. You also get to see their faces at all times when you are teaching, so you know if they understand the topic. Classroom management is so much better,” Mr Eustace says.

“They have grown up using technology and are very compatible with the different mediums we use.

“I recorded a lesson on Sunday and played it in class the next day. I was able to go around and help students while they were watching.”

The move to digitally enhanced learning has been made easier, Mr Eustace says, by the school’s “progressive management”. He also paid tribute to the Dublin IT firm, Wriggle, which has helped make the transition easier.

“It’s about supplementing [traditional teaching methods]. It’s not a replacement.

“If a student comes and says that they have no internet access I can print off the notes and they can work offline. We cater for everyone. We use traditional copy books and enhance with Office 365 [the Microsoft application].

“The students and teachers are really buying in to it. They are loving it.

“You walk by a classroom and you hear students asking can the teacher email them the notes. It’s changing the dialogue in a good way,” he said.