Kildare Education Centre - Ionad Oideachas Cill Dara

Notice for Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as a route to Induction:

NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process must attend one 2-hour cluster meeting per term for the duration of their Droichead process.

NQTs must register with the Education Centre to attend a cluster meeting. Cluster meetings may only be attended by NQTs who have submitted a DR1 Form via the Teaching Council website (www.teachingcouncil.ie). DR1 Forms must be submitted by NQTs within 5 working days of commencement of the Droichead process. The National Cluster Meeting Schedule will be sent to all NQTs who submit a DR1 Form. 

All NQTs engaging in the Droichead process must attend Cluster Meeting 1 before attending Cluster 2 and 3. 

At cluster meetings, NQTs will present Form D to be stamped by the facilitator as proof of attendance. Form D is available at www.teachingcouncil.ie.  Please have this form with you on the night. 

In addition to this, NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process should also engage in one other professional learning activity. This may include attendance at an NIPT workshop which NQTs must register with the EC to attend.

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Notice for POST PRIMARY NQTs undertaking Droichead as a route to Induction:

NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process must attend one 2-hour cluster meeting per term for the duration of their Droichead process.

NQTs must register with the Education Centre to attend a cluster meeting. Cluster meetings may only be attended by NQTs who have submitted a DR1 Form via the Teaching Council website (www.teachingcouncil.ie). DR1 Forms must be submitted by NQTs within 5 working days of commencement of the Droichead process. The National Cluster Meeting Schedule will be sent to all NQTs who submit a DR1 Form. 

All NQTs engaging in the Droichead process must attend Cluster Meeting 1 before attending Cluster 2 and 3. 

At cluster meetings, NQTs will present Form D to be stamped by the facilitator as proof of attendance. Form D is available at www.teachingcouncil.ie.  Please have this form with you on the night. 

In addition to this, NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process should also engage in one other professional learning activity. This may include attendance at an NIPT workshop which NQTs must register with the EC to attend.

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

Facilitator:  Sinead Nooney / Brian Crehan

Dates:          Mon 2nd July - Fri 6th July 2018

A unique summer course that offers teachers the opportunity to explore the nature and educational value of partnerships between teachers and artists in supporting arts education in schools

This Course potentially improves literacy, numeracy & well-being in all schools including DEIS. It will be offered across the Education Centre Network (21 centres) in 2018

If this idea excites you then this course is definitely for you.

 Many schools across the country are engaged in projects with artists, ranging from one-off artist visits to longer term projects, and in a variety of art forms.  If you are currently engaged in such a project or are planning one for the coming year, then this course will be of interest to you. This course looks at the ways in which working with an artist in school can be enhanced in order to provide meaningful experiences for children and a lasting impact on school practice. Particular emphasis will be on the role of the teacher and artist, their unique contributions to projects and the significant benefits that can accrue from a dynamic teacher/artist relationship in the planning and implementation of projects. Placing the teacher/artist project within the overall Arts Curriculum in schools and exploration of practical issues will be central. The Course draws on research in the field and looks at practical teacher/artist projects and partnerships that have been undertaken in schools recently. Various art forms will be explored and participants will have opportunities to explore their own creativity throughout the week. Course tutors are teachers and artists who have been involved in such projects and participants on the course will include both teachers and local artists. If you are looking to improve your understanding of arts education, to improve Arts Curriculum integration in your classroom, to work with a Partner in the field of 'The Arts' , to engage with a professional artist as a way of improving your own arts teaching skills?   Would you welcome the input and insight of a practising artist while teaching the children in your care? 

This innovative PDST TiE summer course for 2018 centres on the effective use of tablet technologies, namely the iPad, in enhancing teaching, learning and assessment in the Irish classroom.

This course offers teachers a range of practical approaches to employ when utilising tablet technology to best effect in their classrooms. To this end, key content in this course will address how the effective use of tablets can enhance pupil engagement when undertaking literacy and numeracy lessons, as well as in a cross-curricular fashion. Importantly, this course also aims to provide teachers with insights relating to key educational and whole-school considerations in the deployment of tablet technologies through a range of participant-oriented tasks and activities.

Other important key areas of course content to be discussed also includes digital citizenship and internet safety, finding and selecting good quality digital content online, developing whole school assessment practices through the use of ePortfolios and other methods and exploring the newly constructed Digital Learning Framework and how a school may go about creating their digital learning plan in this regard.

Tutor:  Shane O'Looney

We are no longer accepting bookings for this course

Facilitator:  Maura O'Dwyer

Dates:  Mon 2nd July - Fri 6th July 2018 (9.30am-2pm)

Interested in starting a school garden or improving your knowledge of gardening?

This course offers beginners and more advanced participants an opportunity to develop an understanding of the wealth of learning opportunities in terms of its purpose and the beauty it provides.

It will cover a diverse range of topics from Tree identification, native hedgerows, choice of plants for school gardens, development of SESE trails, Rocks and soil, fauna and Flora of land and sea, Biodiversity, pond dipping, development of organic techniques and assessment tools. The course will consist of both workshops and practical activities.

This summer course for 2018 by PDST TiE engages teachers in a hands-on approach to using digital technologies in the junior classroom to support and enhance teaching, learning and assessment. Each module explores a range of digital tools that can be used to effectively develop active pupil learning in the areas of literacy and numeracy.

Participants will be afforded many opportunities throughout the week to explore digital tools and online content relevant to this specific level within the primary school context. They will also explore how easily these tools can be differentiated to include all learners in the class, and in particular those with special educational needs. Relevant classroom-based examples of collaborative and cooperative work in infant classrooms will also be explored during the week by all participants as they begin to plan for the use of digital technologies to support teaching, learning and assessment in their own classrooms.

Other important related areas of course content to be explored include digital citizenship and internet safety, finding and selecting good quality digital content online and exploring the newly constructed Digital Learning Framework and how a school may go about creating their digital learning plan in this regard.

Tutor:  Denise McGrath

Facilitator:  Catherine Flanagan

Dates:  Mon 2rd July - Friday 6th July 2018 (9.30am-2pm)

Tánaiste is a leadership summer course designed specifically for Deputy Principals and Acting Deputy Principals, at Primary level, and provided by the PDST.  PDST School Leadership (formerly LDS) have been delivering high quality CPD for school leaders since 2002. 

The course provides opportunities for deputy principals to explore their leadership role in order to lead high quality teaching and learning in their school. It provides an opportunity to learn from facilitators and colleagues in similar roles with all resources having been designed or nuanced to reflect the deputy principal role.

The course has an emphasis on effective communication and conflict management strategies, on the principal and deputy principal as a leadership team, distributed leadership as well leading change and positively impacting on the school’s learning  culture. 

This hands-on practical course for 2018 from PDST TiE aims to equip teachers from all class levels with effective digital tools that will allow them to easily integrate digital technologies into their daily teaching. This course will investigate a wide range of curriculum related websites and resources which can enhance teaching, promote active learning and facilitate assessment right cross the curriculum, paying particular focus to literacy and numeracy in this regard.

Throughout this course, teachers are not only led in creating a wide range of digital teaching, learning and assessment resources that can be subsequently used in their classrooms, they also engage in a range of curricular-directed digital activities that can also be applied in their own settings to great effect.

Other important key areas of course content to be discussed and developed in this course also includes digital citizenship and internet safety, finding and selecting good quality digital content online, developing whole school assessment practices through the use of digital technologies and exploring the newly constructed Digital Learning Framework and how a school may go about creating their digital learning plan in this regard.   

Tutor:  William O'Donoghue

Facilitator:  Michael O'Reilly

Dates:  Mon 2ndJuly - Fri 6th July 2018 (9.30am-2pm)

This course will examine how various genres of Children's literature can be used as a stimulus for visual arts activities in the classroom.  You will actively explore all strands and strand units of the visual arts curriculum in a process oriented manner and work with a wide range of visual arts tools and techniques. Techniques and topics to be explored will include drawing as a learning tool, experimenting with colour, impressed print making, exploring form with clay, 2D and 3D construction techniques, fabric applique and how to look at and respond to art with children. The course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills that will enable you to plan an exciting and interesting visual arts programme for any class level.

Facilitator:  Liadain Butler

Dates:  Mon 2nd July - Fri  6th July 2018 (9.30am-2pm)

 CRAFTed - Creative Crafts Skills 

Creative Craft Skills to enhance the delivery of the Visual Arts Curriculum is a hands-on exploration of Drawing, Painting, Fabric & Fibre, Printmaking, Clay & Construction.

 Planning and designing craft based class projects and exploring themes, materials and skills that support an integrated process led approach to the curriculum. 

Run in collaboration with the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s CRAFTed Programme.

 www.learncraftdesign.ie    https://dccoieducation.wixsite.com/learncraftdesign/crafted-cpd-summer-courses-2018

Dates:  Mon 2nd July - Fri 6th July 2018 (9.30am-2pm)

Physical Literacy is the ability to move with confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole child. This summer course has been designed by PDST PE Advisors to support teachers in developing physical literacy, by focusing a lens on fundamental movement skills using the Move Well, Move Often resource.

The week will be fun and practical in nature and will include workshops on gymnastics, dance, athletics, games, outdoor and adventure activities suitable for teachers of all classes from Infants - 6th.

By participating in this course, you will also gain valuable insight into the practical use of assessment strategies for PE, the School Self Evaluation process for PE and the Active School Flag. By developing physical literacy in your PE programme, you can support children in continuing to participate in physical activity throughout their lifespan, enhancing their overall wellbeing

Facilitator:  Nuala Madigan

Dates:  Mon 2nd July - Fri 6th July 2018 (9.30am-2pm) 

Based at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre this course will introduce to you some of Ireland’s habitats including woodlands, boglands, fens, grasslands, canals, playing fields and school gardens.  Each course day will include an introductory talk giving an outline of the particular habitat including examples of the habitats flora and fauna, a hands on practical classroom session and a visit to a local habitat. Examples of poetry, readings and numeracy activities that can be used alongside your chosen habitat study will be suggested that aim to help improve students’ literacy and numeracy skills. This course content will be suitable to use with students from 2nd-6th class and aims to introduce participants to a sample of the wild habitats of Ireland, to encourage and give classroom teachers the skills to undertake these studies with their students and to combine fun with active learning for students. On course completion all participants will receive a Habitats of Ireland Resource CD for use in their school. 

The course begins with an exploration of digital age learning cultures (Past and Present) and examines how the nature of learning is changing in a digital age as well as the skills that students will require to navigate this changing landscape. The course also seeks to challenge school leaders’ beliefs regarding effective and meaningful technology integration towards the development of their own vision for technology integration in their school. It will help school leaders explore effective and strategic planning for technology integration and how they might lead this integration within their own context, both curricularly and organisationally. 

Furthermore the course examines Digital Citizenship and what this means for students, teachers and school leaders.  It examines how pupils can be supported to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly in our digital world. The course also explores excellence in professional practice as well as pedagogical considerations, incorporating the Tpack and SAMR Models for effective, transformative technology integration.  

Finally the course examines the areas of personal and professional effectiveness, linked to the leadership domain, Personal Growth and Development. Through this module participants will probe effective workload management strategies and how to harness the learning potential of peer or personalised learning networks. A core component of the week is the maintenance of an ePortfolio of participants work, which will incorporate learning from the course to help participants understand the benefits of an ePortfolio for student led, self-directed learning. This learning provides an insight into the use of portfolios/ePortfolios and constructivist approach espoused in the curriculum.

Tutor:  Stephen Donovan

This hands-on practical course for 2018 from PDST TiE aims to equip teachers from all class levels with effective digital tools that will allow them to easily integrate digital technologies into their daily teaching. This course will investigate a wide range of curriculum related websites and resources which can enhance teaching, promote active learning and facilitate assessment right cross the curriculum, paying particular focus to literacy and numeracy in this regard.

Throughout this course, teachers are not only led in creating a wide range of digital teaching, learning and assessment resources that can be subsequently used in their classrooms, they also engage in a range of curricular-directed digital activities that can also be applied in their own settings to great effect.

Other important key areas of course content to be discussed and developed in this course also includes digital citizenship and internet safety, finding and selecting good quality digital content online, developing whole school assessment practices through the use of digital technologies and exploring the newly constructed Digital Learning Framework and how a school may go about creating their digital learning plan in this regard.  

Tutor:  Niamh Morrin

Blended Learning Summer Course - 3 days face to face (Mon 2nd - Wed 4th July) & 8 hours on-line

This GAA Teacher Summer Course is a new blended course being using the Association's new Learning and Development Community Portal. The face-to-face element runs over three days face-to-face and approximately eight hours on online modules to be completed thereafter.

Being largely practical-based, it aims to introduce teachers to Gaelic games - hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, ladies Gaelic football, handball and rounders. The main objective of the courses is the advancement of teachers' pedagogical, teaching, learning and management skills in the context of the primary school physical education (PE) curriculum. Courses are organised by Local Education Centre's under the remit of the Department of Education and Skills. The courses are delivered by GAA Games Development staff and tutors.

Furthermore participants will develop the ability to delivery elements of the PE curriculum through the medium of Gaelic games. An emphasis on numeracy and literacy programmes highlight the opportunity to integrate PE through a teaching curriculum by using the various resources developed by the GAA.

Facilitator:  Patrick Hunt

Dates:  Mon 2nd July - Fri 6th July 2018 (9.30am-2pm)

 This course focuses on using the school environment and garden as a teaching resource. The course is learner driven and will assist teachers in identifying and gathering information that they require to implement environmental projects in schools with a focus on Numeracy and Literacy. The course will be practical with hands on demos and outdoor investigations.

 Day:1 Designing the school outdoor environment with elements such as wildflower meadows, hedgerows, pond, composting, vegetable garden, fruit area, herbs, bug hotel, rainwater capture, quiet spaces, seating, bird feeders and nest boxes. This includes a group mini design project. 

 Day:2 Basic gardening skills with practical demos, where to start, seed sowing, potting on, planting out and the yearly vegetable gardening calendar. What to plant, how to plant it and when to plant. We will also cover a range of perennial plants and flowers to attract wildlife and maintenance strategies.

 Day:3 Exploring the world of minibeasts on the school grounds and local area where to find them and provide habitat for them.

 Day: 4 Exploring a forests plants, animals and structure with a visit to a nearby woodland.

 Day:5 An Introduction to common garden birds seen in schools

In this popular course for 2018 by PDST TiE, emphasis will be placed on guiding participants to create their own digital teaching, learning and assessment resources, while also exploring useful online tools to support and enhance pupils’ cross-curricular work.  

Each module includes ample opportunity for discussion centred on classroom application and includes specific reference to the use of digital technologies in creating meaningful learning opportunities in the areas of literacy, numeracy and assessment. Each module refers to classroom-based examples of differentiation across the curriculum so as to cater for all pupils levels of ability and the variety of needs that exist within every class.

Other important related areas of course content to be explored during the week include digital citizenship and internet safety, finding and selecting good quality digital content online and exploring the newly constructed Digital Learning Framework and how a school may go about creating their digital learning plan in this regard. 

Tutor:  Brian Sweeney

Facilitators:  Niamh Ui Chadhla & Sibéal Breathnach

Dates:  Mon 2nd July - Fri 6th July 2018 (9.30am-2pm)

 Looking for new ideas for teaching literacy and maths in a playful way? Or perhaps, thinking about introducing child-led play in your classroom? If so, then register for this action-packed Summer Course which has been designed by the Association of Teacher/Education Centres in Ireland (ATECI) in collaboration with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). 

The course links with the new Primary Language Curriculum for junior infants to second class, which emphasises the importance of playful learning experiences for all children.  It provides ideas for developing young children’s oral language, emergent writing and mathematical learning in a playful way.

This course draws on the key ideas in Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (2009) and provides lots of practical ideas for using these in your infant classroom. Take a look at other teachers’ resources for play and find out how they plan for, resource, support and assess learning through child-led play. You will also hear about a variety of resources available on the NCCA’s website.

View the Demo Course content

Introduction Video

Renew your ‘well’ of energy this summer!

The overall aim of this online course is to create a comfortable, relaxing space for the teacher/school leader to reflect, relax, rejuvenate and renew their ‘well’ of energy after the school year has ended.  Come to your laptop or computer each day and retreat into your own space where you can meditate, rest and learn.

The following course aims detail what the course entails:

      Firstly, to address the needs of the individual teacher in relation to stress and to explore these needs actively throughout the course through understanding the physiology of the stress response along with self-care and mindfulness practices.  This course will provide a relaxing space where the teacher can reflect upon current practices in the area of well-being and learn new practices too which can then be implemented into their daily life immediately, in order to help change responses to stress and improve his/her own well-being in simple, practical ways.  The course includes guided meditations that can be enjoyed from the comfort of their own home.  (The emphasis lies on the teacher experiencing self-care and mindfulness practices for his/herself and therefore progressing naturally into the second aim).

      Secondly, to provide the teacher with practical strategies and lessons that can be confidently implemented directly into their classroom/school community under the SPHE curriculum, along with bringing simple, enjoyable well-being resources and ideas into their daily classroom practice, that won’t just benefit the well-being of the pupils and classroom culture but will also directly benefit teacher well-being too. 

 The online course in Well-Being, Self-Care and Renewal for the Primary Teacher will run in two separate tranches:

• Course Code 18KEC317 - 2nd July - 20th July (cut-off point for course registration 17th July )

• Course Code 18KEC318 - 6th August - 24th August (cut-off point for course registration 21st July)

Please note that both tranches are advertised separately so please ensure that you are registering for your correct choice of dates

Please note:  Standard Course fee of €75

However, Early Bird offer of €65 course fee will apply from Thurs 10th May - Sunday 20th May

You will be able to create your account to register before the course begins and access to actual course content will go live at 9am on 2nd July.  We have experienced tutors ready to support you throughout your online course this summer.

LOG-IN DETAILS WILL ISSUE TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO START DATE

This innovative PDST TiE summer course for 2018 centres on the effective use of tablet technologies, namely the iPad, in enhancing teaching, learning and assessment in the Irish classroom.

This course offers teachers a range of practical approaches to employ when utilising tablet technology to best effect in their classrooms. To this end, key content in this course will address how the effective use of tablets can enhance pupil engagement when undertaking literacy and numeracy lessons, as well as in a cross-curricular fashion. Importantly, this course also aims to provide teachers with insights relating to key educational and whole-school considerations in the deployment of tablet technologies through a range of participant-oriented tasks and activities.

Other important key areas of course content to be discussed also includes digital citizenship and internet safety, finding and selecting good quality digital content online, developing whole school assessment practices through the use of ePortfolios and other methods and exploring the newly constructed Digital Learning Framework and how a school may go about creating their digital learning plan in this regard. 

Tutor:  William Carroll

This innovative PDST TiE summer course for 2018 centres on the effective use of tablet technologies, namely the iPad, in enhancing teaching, learning and assessment in the Irish classroom.

This course offers teachers a range of practical approaches to employ when utilising tablet technology to best effect in their classrooms. To this end, key content in this course will address how the effective use of tablets can enhance pupil engagement when undertaking literacy and numeracy lessons, as well as in a cross-curricular fashion. Importantly, this course also aims to provide teachers with insights relating to key educational and whole-school considerations in the deployment of tablet technologies through a range of participant-oriented tasks and activities.

Other important key areas of course content to be discussed also includes digital citizenship and internet safety, finding and selecting good quality digital content online, developing whole school assessment practices through the use of ePortfolios and other methods and exploring the newly constructed Digital Learning Framework and how a school may go about creating their digital learning plan in this regard.

Tutor:  Siobhan Hennelly

In this popular course for 2018 by PDST TiE, emphasis will be placed on guiding participants to create their own digital teaching, learning and assessment resources, while also exploring useful online tools to support and enhance pupils’ cross-curricular work.  

Each module includes ample opportunity for discussion centred on classroom application and includes specific reference to the use of digital technologies in creating meaningful learning opportunities in the areas of literacy, numeracy and assessment. Each module refers to classroom-based examples of differentiation across the curriculum so as to cater for all pupil’s levels of ability and the variety of needs that exist within every class.

Other important related areas of course content to be explored during the week include digital citizenship and internet safety, finding and selecting good quality digital content online and exploring the newly constructed Digital Learning Framework and how a school may go about creating their digital learning plan in this regard.

Tutor:  Siobhan McAndrew

This innovative PDST TiE summer course for 2018 centres on the effective use of tablet technologies, namely the iPad, in enhancing teaching, learning and assessment in the Irish classroom.

This course offers teachers a range of practical approaches to employ when utilising tablet technology to best effect in their classrooms. To this end, key content in this course will address how the effective use of tablets can enhance pupil engagement when undertaking literacy and numeracy lessons, as well as in a cross-curricular fashion. Importantly, this course also aims to provide teachers with insights relating to key educational and whole-school considerations in the deployment of tablet technologies through a range of participant-oriented tasks and activities.

Other important key areas of course content to be discussed also includes digital citizenship and internet safety, finding and selecting good quality digital content online, developing whole school assessment practices through the use of ePortfolios and other methods and exploring the newly constructed Digital Learning Framework and how a school may go about creating their digital learning plan in this regard.

Tutor:  Caroline Mahon

Facilitator:  Clair Farrelly - Drama Therapist, Drama Teacher & Mainstream Teacher

Dates:  Mon 2nd July - Fri 6th July 2018 (9.30am-2pm)

This is a highly creative and fun week of drama which will appeal to teachers with all levels of experience.  At the end of the drama course, participants will be equipped with a variety of skills and knowledge of drama strategies e.g. puppetry, thought tracking, hot seating and carousal. This course will enhance the participants’ confidence in delivering drama in the classroom. Teachers will also be given ideas on how to plan for drama effectively using themes drawn from SPHE, English, History and other subjects.

The overall aims of the course are:

 That participants will:

1.  Obtain practical, fun drama lessons which can be used for any age group in primary school (4-12 years old).

2. Experience drama on a personal level themselves and therefore enhance their confidence in teaching drama in the primary class.

3. Get an insight into how they can use drama as a tool to explore sensitive issues such as bullying and exclusion.

4.  Acquire a variety of drama strategies and techniques for use in the classroom.

              -Hot-seating/ Role play/Conscience alley/ Role on the wall/ Freeze frames/ Teacher in Role (TiR)/ Sound             scapes

 5. Find meaningful ways to integrate drama into other subjects on the curriculum e.g. S.P.H.E. and History.

6. Explore Drama through literacy activities such as sound poetry. 

Are you interested in acquiring cross curricular teaching strategies that are transferrable across the curriculum?  Are you interested in integrating arts-based strategies into your teaching? Do you want to learn more about Development Education?  Do you want to have fun and experiment with your won creativity? Then this course is for you:

This course will help participants to engage imaginatively with emerging global issues. Through hands-on arts-based activities, it will examine the political, policy and ethical context for development education in Ireland. A combination of appropriate pedagogical approaches and fun creative exercises will enable teachers to bring global issues to life in the classroom. They will also reflect on their own rights and responsibilities as global citizens and consider the ‘teacher stance’ they might adopt when exploring controversial issues with children. 

The following global issues will be covered for a variety of arts-based methodologies including:

• Creative Writing
• Storytelling & Poetry
• Drama and Simulation

Topics such as:

• Asylum, migration and refugees
• Climate change, climate justice and climate action
• Action, global citizenship and democracy
• Global solidarity, human rights and interdependence

 Methodologies will include research skills, handling sensitive topics, developing a toolkit, debate and speech writing.

This course is suitable for:

·        Primary teachers of 2^nd-6^th class, with a particular emphasis on senior classes

·        Teachers interested in infusing innovative arts-based methodologies into teaching and learning

·        Teachers interested in global education and how to approach ‘difficult knowledge’ in the classroom

Blended Learning Summer Course - 3 days face to face (Mon 2nd - Wed 4th July) & 8 hours on-line

This GAA Teacher Summer Course is a new blended course being using the Association's new Learning and Development Community Portal. The face-to-face element runs over three days face-to-face and approximately eight hours on online modules to be completed thereafter.

Being largely practical-based, it aims to introduce teachers to Gaelic games - hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, ladies Gaelic football, handball and rounders. The main objective of the courses is the advancement of teachers' pedagogical, teaching, learning and management skills in the context of the primary school physical education (PE) curriculum. Courses are organised by Local Education Centre's under the remit of the Department of Education and Skills. The courses are delivered by GAA Games Development staff and tutors.

Furthermore participants will develop the ability to delivery elements of the PE curriculum through the medium of Gaelic games. An emphasis on numeracy and literacy programmes highlight the opportunity to integrate PE through a teaching curriculum by using the various resources developed by the GAA.

Dates:  Mon 2rd July - Fri 6th July 2018 (9.30am-2pm)

The Algebra Project is a mathematics curriculum that has its roots in the Civil Rights movement in the United States. The curriculum spans primary and post-primary mathematics. This course will focus on one aspect of this curriculum that is relevant to primary mathematics – “The Flagway Game”.

The Flagway Game was developed to help young people expand their understanding of natural numbers and develop flexibility in working with these numbers. In an experiential approach to learning, students use additive and multiplicative reasoning to recognise and explore patterns of the natural numbers. The FlagwayGame focuses on the manipulation of numbers in ways that go beyond simple recitations of multiplication tables. It engages students in searching for patterns among numbers, developing hypotheses about such patterns, and testing their ideas. It also involves the physical “playing” of the game in a gym or outdoors in a school yard or playing field.

This course aims:

•         to examine how The Flagway Game relates to the Mathematics Curriculum at primary level,
•         to explore how this activity can expand ideas of manipulating numbers, number pattern, mapping, navigating, hypothesis building, hypothesis testing and refining
•         to look at the cross curricular approaches that underpin the activity, particularly how it relates to physical education
•        to explore how this can be implemented in the primary school
•         to allow participants develop resources to implement the game

Participants will engage with the course through a hands-on approach to the Flagway Game. Participants will experience the Flagway Game in the same way in which their pupils will and they will have to develop hypothesis, test them and refine them in order to “discover” the principles underlying the game. In doing so they confront their basic understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts such as number, pattern, factors, mapping, permutations and combinations. This in turn will help them communicate a richer mathematics curriculum to their pupils and thus improve both teaching and learning.

Evidence suggests that improving numeracy, improving mathematical attainment, encouraging better thinking skills and greater physical activity are outcomes from engaging with the Algebra Project. Additional anecdotal evidence suggests that pupils, who do not always shine in the mathematics class, can perform at a high level when engaging with the Flagway Game. It is also suggested that students with learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) may find doing mathematics in this way is less challenging. 

Droichead: Professional Support Team Training

This course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills required to be effective Professional Support Team (PST) members to support and guide newly qualified teachers (NQTs) through the induction process.

The course is open to teachers in all schools who are interested in mentoring newly qualified teachers and/or being a professional support team member. Each participant must be fully registered with the Teaching Council and must have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience. Attendance at and completion of this course will not guarantee membership of a professional support team. Professional support team membership is at the discretion of the principal. Participants are required to complete the full 20 hours of the course to be deemed a trained PST member.

Please note that in the event that this course is oversubscribed, preference will be given to the following:

1. Teams from Special Schools and teams from schools of 16 or more mainstream class teachers
2. Teachers in schools already engaging in the Droichead process and whose PSTs have been depleted due to attrition of staff
3. Teachers in schools engaging in the Droichead process wishing to augment their PSTs

 Please note:  Registration for this course is via the NIPT office, Dublin West Education Centre at the following link:-

http://www.teacherinduction.ie/en/supports/droichead/pst-training 

View the Demo Course content

Introduction Video

Renew your ‘well’ of energy this summer!

 The overall aim of this online course is to create a comfortable, relaxing space for the teacher/school leader to reflect, relax, rejuvenate and renew their ‘well’ of energy after the school year has ended.  Come to your laptop or computer each day and retreat into your own space where you can meditate, rest and learn.

The following course aims detail what the course entails:

      Firstly, to address the needs of the individual teacher in relation to stress and to explore these needs actively throughout the course through understanding the physiology of the stress response along with self-care and mindfulness practices.  This course will provide a relaxing space where the teacher can reflect upon current practices in the area of well-being and learn new practices too which can then be implemented into their daily life immediately, in order to help change responses to stress and improve his/her own well-being in simple, practical ways.  The course includes guided meditations that can be enjoyed from the comfort of their own home.  (The emphasis lies on the teacher experiencing self-care and mindfulness practices for his/herself and therefore progressing naturally into the second aim).

      Secondly, to provide the teacher with practical strategies and lessons that can be confidently implemented directly into their classroom/school community under the SPHE curriculum, along with bringing simple, enjoyable well-being resources and ideas into their daily classroom practice, that won’t just benefit the well-being of the pupils and classroom culture but will also directly benefit teacher well-being too. 

 The online course in Well-Being, Self-Care and Renewal for the Primary Teacher will run in two separate tranches:

• Course Code 18KEC317 - 2nd July - 20th July (cut-off point for course registration 17th July )

• Course Code 18KEC318 - 6th August - 24th August (cut-off point for course registration 21st July)

Please note that both tranches are advertised separately so please ensure that you are registering for your correct choice of dates

Please note:  Standard Course fee of €75

However, Early Bird offer of €65 course fee will apply from Thurs 10th May - Sunday 20th May

You will be able to create your account to register before the course begins and access to actual course content will go live at 9am on 6th August.  We have experienced tutors ready to support you throughout your online course this summer.

LOG-IN DETAILS WILL ISSUE TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO START DATE

Facilitator:  Orla Hickey

Dates:  Mon 20th August -  Fri 24th August 2018 (9.30am-2pm)