This article is from page 31 of the 2010-01-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 31 JPG
EVERY primary and_ secondary school in Clare is to get free access to online versions of the popular Ency- clopedia Britannica and World Book as part of a nationwide elearning in1- tiative announced by the Department of Education and Science.
The online encyclopedias use text, video clips, three-dimensional simu-
lations, research aids and other new media in presenting information to students.
The department pays an annual licence fee of €450,000 to Encyclo- pedia Britannica and World Book to authorise schools to use the online resources.
Clare TD Tony Killeen said he strongly supported efforts by the Government to integrate informa-
tion communications technology into teaching and learning.
“The Government is making enormous strides in developing our schools ICT capacity. For example in 2009, it launched a €150 million plan for smart schools, which will give every classroom a teaching lap- top, software and digital projector over the next three years.
“The provision of these online
learning tools marks the next phase in the Government’s ambition to develop our schools into centres of elearning and to make new technol- ogy an integral part of the learning KOCK Te
“The range of information avail- able to Clare schools through these encyclopedias will enrich students’ learning experience and deepen their knowledge of the sciences, humani-
ties, arts and other areas.
“Furthermore, the schools broad- band network enables us to deliver targeted digital resources directly to teachers and students through the scoilnet.ie website,” he said.
With over 11,500 learning resourc- es and an average of 180,000 visits each month, scoilnet.ie is an impor- tant online resource for primary and post-primary schools.