Education Magazine 24-2

Vol.

Front Cover 24-2.indd 1

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Issue

2

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Volume 24, Issue 2

Editor Niall Gormley

Production Catherine Dwyer

4 Gymnastics for all 7 A new degree in Sports Science at Athlone IT

Active Learning at LIT

9 University of Limerick Degrees for Graduates of St Patrick’s College Thurles Sales Tel: 01 832 9243 Fax: 01 832 9246 E-mail: education@keelaun.ie web: www.educationmagazine.ie

Publishers Keelaun Ltd. 9 Maypark, Malahide Road, Dublin 5.

Tel: 01-8329243 Fax: 01-8329246

Layout Real Issues, Drumhaldry, Moyne, Co. Longford 086-8986827

Printers Nicholson & Bass Ltd.

At the time of press information in Education is believed to be accurate and authoritative.

However, some information may change due to circumstances beyond our control.

Acceptance of advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement of products or services by the publishers.

©2011. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

ISSN 0791-6161

11 Developing potential at GMIT 13 New revenue opportunities through Kenco FreshSeal 14 Limerick IT for Accounting and Finance 14 ACCORD – caring for marriage, building relationships 16 Podiatry as a career at NUI Galway 19 Mac IT for education at Compu b 21 Last chance scrappage from Peugeot 22 Cover story: Active learning at LIT 25 An exciting portal into the past, present and future of Bord na Móna

Active Learning is at the core of the educational philosophy embraced by LIT. Cover Story Pages 22-23

36 Festo - Professional training in virtual learning environments 39 i-to-i: Teaching English as a Foreign Language 41 Ink Maestro Ltd 42 Edco - Leading the way in digital content

Special Feature: Energy revolution for Ireland

26 Special feature: Energy revolution for Ireland 31 Christian Brothers 32 Walk the Tatra Mountains for Hospice 35 AirSpeed Telecom Learning without limits!

The proposed Lumcloon power station in Co. Offaly is the first of its kind in Ireland and the application of the plant's technology opens the door for the widespread use of wind power in Ireland.

Pages 26-29 Education 3

Contents.indd 1

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Irish Gymnastics

Gymnastics for all G

ymnastics provides opportunities for all ages to develop fundamental movement skills, improve spatial and ariel awareness, enhance posture, discover movement, and overall enjoy a noncontact sport that is challenging at every level from recreation to elite.

Gymnastics is an important curriculum activity at primary and secondary level, but also extends into third level, with many students particularly enjoying trampolining. Adult classes in gymnastics are also becoming popular, particularly for anyone looking for something different to help improve strength, fitness, agility, flexibility and over all well being, as well as having fun trying out basic gymnastic skills!

Irish Gymnastics Irish Gymnastics is the governing body for gymnastics in Ireland, catering for all levels of gymnastics from participation school-based activities to elite international gymnasts.

Participation Irish Gymnastics is currently developing its Participation programme with particular emphasis on schools (including third level), working towards increasing the general levels of participation in gymnastics.

The programme includes projects such as: • P r i m a r y Te a c h e r s P r o f e s s i o n a l Development • Coaching Courses - trampoline courses are of particular interest to those working with students at second and third level • Award Schemes - designed to help children celebrate their gymnastic skills and achievements • School-Club links – helping schools and colleges link up with gymnastics clubs in their locality. Check out the interactive map on the Irish Gymnastics website www.irishgymnastics.ie ‘GYMStart’ Coaching Course the perfect start for teaching gymnastics This is a participation-based coaching

course aimed at building a safe, progressive and fun environment for all.

• Introduces the teacher, coach or student to the various disciplines in gymnastics, including vault, trampolining and acrobatics • Develops a basic understanding of coaching theory and techniques • Coaching Ireland approved assistant level qualification • Participants must be aged 16+ Active School Flag Irish Gymnastics has linked up with the Department of Education’s Active School Flag Award. Please check out their website to see how Irish Gymnastics can assist schools to obtain their Active Flag http:// www.activeschoolflag.ie/ngbs.html Inclusion Opportunities There are many activities within gymnastics that can be adapted for children with special needs, and Irish Gymnastics is currently developing its Gymnastics for All (GFA) programme. Gymnastics is also a popular sport in Special Olympics. For more information contact the sports department of Special Olympics Ireland on 01- 8691641, sports@specialolympics. ie or visit their website http://www. specialolympics.ie

Child Protection Irish gymnastics is continuously developing and improving its child protection policies. During 2009, in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council and SportNI, Irish Gymnastics published its own Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Youth Sport.

As part of this Code all Irish Gymnastic adult members must complete either Garda Vetting or AccessNI vetting (depending on jurisdiction). Members completing Code of Ethics training and signing up to Codes of Conduct are other essential elements of our Code.

Our Code can be viewed at http:// www.irishgymnastics.ie/ethics/ethics. cfm Find OUT MORE For more information on any of the above, or anything related to gymnastics, please contact: Irish Gymnastics Phone: 01 625 1125 Email: info@irishgymnastics.com www.irishgymnastics.ie

4 Education

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Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)

A new degree in Sports Science

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n exciting new degree in sports science has been developed by Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT). The BSc (Hons) in Sports Science with Exercise Physiology is scheduled to commence in September and application can be made to it through the CAO’s change of mind facility (course code AL837).

The four-year degree is designed to equip students with the necessary skills to meet the needs of elite athletes, as well as the health and fitness requirements of the general population. The programme combines areas such as performance testing, nutrition, exercise therapy for recovery, analytical techniques used for the forensic analysis of performanceenhancing drugs, and biomechanics.

Sports science is a vibrant area that combines the magic of the playing field and running track with the excitement of modern analytical science.

A major industry Students will discover how sporting performance can be enhanced though nutrition, through training programmes and through an analysis of biomechanics.

The sport industry is a growing source of employment in Ireland and elsewhere and is widely regarded as one of the major world-wide industries.

More than 38,000 Irish people are employed in the sports sector and sportrelated spending contributes â‚Ź1,830 million to the Irish economy. There is also a growing awareness of the importance of increased physical activity as a contributor to public health. This again creates opportunities for graduates, in addition to developments in the elite performance area.

The degree also includes modules on sports psychology and coaching. Students will be facilitated in acquiring coaching qualifications in their chosen sporting

activity by liaising with the relevant national governing body with training sessions being timetabled accordingly.

Students will undertake a four-month work placement in their third year, which will provide them with experience of the working environment in the sports science and exercise physiology field.

On completion of the course, graduates will be eligible to pursue employment in areas such as the testing and monitoring of elite performers, coaching education, sport and exercise consultancy, health promotion, physiotherapy training, research and in sports journalism. sports science laboratory In order to give our students the very best educational experience, AIT has initiated a project which includes a specialised state-of-the-art sports science laboratory equipped with the latest performance analysis instrumentation and equipment.

As well as sports-related laboratory space, AIT has invested millions of euro in its indoor and outdoor facilities. The sporting infrastructure on campus

includes an IAAF-approved athletics track and a FIFA 2-star astro-turf pitch, while the new indoor sports arena will be completed in 2012. The indoor facilities will include an athletics track, a multi-sport arena (suitable for futsal, basketball, etc.), as well as comprehensive support facilities for elite athlete training.

Applications Application to the degree must be made through the CAO’s change of mind facility and for September 2011 is restricted to applicants applying with Leaving Certificate results. Applicants must hold a minimum of Grade C3 at higher level in two subjects, plus a minimum of Grade D3 at ordinary level in four other subjects. Two of these six subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish).

Applicants will also be required to obtain Garda clearance through the Garda Central Vetting Unit (TGVCU).

Find OUT MORE www.ait.ie

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St Patrick’s College Thurles

University of Limerick Degrees for Graduates of St Patrick’s College Thurles

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r a d u a t e s o f S t . P a t r i c k ’s College, Thurles, Co Tipperary will, from 2012, receive teaching degrees from the University of Limerick. The Third Level teacher education college announced an academic alliance with the University of Limerick (UL) in May, marking an historic occasion for the College.

From September 2011, degree programmes at St. Patrick’s College will be accredited by the University of Limerick.

From 2012 graduates of the College will be awarded University of Limerick degrees. reputation for innovation The University of Limerick, with a student body of over 11,500 students, has an international reputation for innovation in education and excellence in research.

President of UL, Professor Don Barry said, ”This agreement recognises opportunities for delivery of an enhanced suite of education programmes in St Patrick’s College that will be consistent with UL’s expertise in teacher education.

"UL is the largest provider of postprimary teacher education in the State, with our Education students accounting for nearly one in ten students at UL, and consequently accounting for a significant part of the University’s impact on the

wider local, regional and national communities. We put a great deal of time and energy into pedagogy at UL and we have recognised a similar commitment in the education programmes at St Patrick’s College.

"We are proud that our teacher education model at UL is well regarded nationally and internationally as a pioneering model for the future ”.

St. Patrick’s College, Thurles was established as a third level College of Education in 2004 and currently offers two concurrent teacher education programmes. Graduates of the College are registered with the Teaching Council and qualified to teach Business, Accounting, Religious Studies and Irish to honours Leaving Certificate level, depending on their programme choice.

The President of St Patrick’s College, Fr. Tom Fogarty, said the alliance with the University of Limerick “truly marks the beginning of a new era for the College and the extension of University education beyond the major cities”.

“This partnership brings huge value to St Patrick’s College. The offer of University-level degrees strengthens our identity and will attract a wide crosssection of students to enrich our culture further. We provide a welcoming, inclusive and quality learning environment for students and strongly believe in a ‘values

led’ education.,” he added.

Last year a Governing Board was appointed to St. Patrick’s College with responsibility for strategic development.

Board members include; Chairperson Robbie Kelleher (Head of Global Investment Strategy at Davy Stockbrokers), Dr. Bernadette Flanagan (Director of Research at All Hallows College), Dr. Finbarr Bradley, (former professor at DCU, UCD and NUIM), Dr. Richard Thorn (Director of Flexible Learning, IOTI) and John Lonergan (former Governor of Mountjoy Prison).

Increased applicants Mr. Kelleher said that, against a backdrop of a decline in applications to the CAO this year, St. Patrick’s College has again recorded double-digit increases in the number of applicants and first preference choices for its degree courses.

“This demonstrates the enduring appeal of pursuing a four year concurrent teacher education degree in order to develop a career as a highly specialised and effective post-primary teacher”, he added.

Find OUT MORE St. Patrick's College, Cathedral St., Thurles, Co. Tipperary www.stpats.ie

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Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)

Developing potential GMIT offer undergraduate, apprentice and post-graduate courses across a range of disciplines

G

alway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) is based at five locations in the west of Ireland. At the largest campus situated in Galway, we look out on the Atlantic Ocean and are reminded of Francis Bacon's observation: "They are ill discoverers that think there is no land when they can see nothing but sea."

As a centre of higher education, we are engaged above all else in discovery. We hope that you will join with us in the voyage of learning which, for all of us, now extends throughout our lives.

Our students and the opportunities we offer them to develop their potential are at the core of our organisation. We offer undergraduate, apprentice and postgraduate courses across a range of disciplines.

organisations to provide higher education throughout the region and to promote the economic, social and cultural development of the west of Ireland.

The core of learning lies in discovery and passion. As explorers and navigators, we know here in the west of Ireland that

there are always new journeys worth undertaking. We look forward to navigating the oceans of learning with you.

Find OUT MORE Visit us at www.gmit.ie

Unique blend In the Institute of Technology sector there is a unique blending of courses in science, business, engineering, technology and humanities and it is possible to progress through higher certificate, degree and masters level awards on to PhD. Our award system is aligned with the European Credit Transfer System and this enables our students to transfer with ease to study abroad.

International students coming to GMIT can also benefit from this credit transfer arrangement. We have links with almost 100 centres of higher education throughout Europe and the US and we welcome applications from students across the world. high-level collaborations GMIT is involved in a range of research activities involving high-level collaborations with other higher education centres, as well as industry.

The Institute also provides a range of consultancy services, working in partnership with business and community Education 11

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Kenco Coffee Company

Easy Profit!

K

ENCO Launches New FreshSeal 2Go Hot Drinks System-The Total Solution for Serving Hot Drinks for people on-the-go, in schools, colleges and universities all around the country.

The Kenco Coffee Company is launching a fantastic total solution for serving hot drinks on-the-go with the introduction of the new Kenco FreshSeal 2Go. The simple to operate hot drinks system works in conjunction with Kenco FreshSeal products and makes it possible to serve great quality branded hot drinks even in the most operationally challenged environments!

VISUALLY AND COMMERCIALLY ATTRACTIVE Suitable for use in an extensive range of situations, from campus convenience stores, gyms, schools, sports clubs, outdoor events to freshsers weeks and rag week, leisure sites to outdoor catering, this neat and simple to use system is both visually and commercially attractive.

The unit is simple to use, as well as being quick and easy to clean. It can be plumbed or manual fill and its neat footprint means it can fit into small spaces.

Kenco FreshSeal offers a fantastic range of well-loved brands including ethically sourced Kenco coffee, Lyons Tea ,and Suchard Hot Chocolate all containing ingredient sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms. Also available in the range are other well known brands such as Carte Noire coffee, Twinings

Traditional English tea, Knorr Vegetable soup and Bovril all great tasting drinks served with the look and feel of coffee shop style cups that consumers won’t be able to resist!

Daphne Hosford, Marketing Manager at The Kenco Coffee Company said “The Kenco FreshSeal 2Go is a no-hassle drinks offer that takes up little space and can also be used for self-serve.

It looks striking and should really help many outlets to make the most of the ‘on-the-go’ opportunity” PAID BACK IN ONLY SIX DAYS Daphne goes on to say that “just by selling 50 drinks a day at say €1.50 each you can clear over €18,000 a year in profit. At this rate the boiler would be paid back in only 6 days.”

The Kenco Fresheal product is so easy to use. You just take a cup from the stack, peel off the silver foil seal that keeps the product fresh, add hot water to the fill line and enjoy! If you’re on the move add a Freshseal sip through lid and off you go!

To purchase the system and product call Kenco on (01) 6052600 ask for Anthony Murphy.

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Limerick Institute of Technology

Why Limerick IT for Accounting and Finance?

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raduates with degrees in accounting & Finance are in great demand. trained to be problem solvers and decision makers, they offer employers in both the private and public sectors a portfolio of skills and expertise that is vital to the success of any organisation operating in an increasingly competitive and accountable environment. accountancy profession LIt’s four year programme is particularly appropriate for those that are planning to enter the accountancy profession and obtain a professional qualification after graduation, as it confers significant exemptions from the examinations of professional accountancy bodies. It also provides an excellent foundation for those planning to make a career in commerce, industry or financial services such as banking and fund management.

“We offer an industry based course that best prepares students for the rigours of the finance world”. donnacha McNamara Head department of Business Limerick Institute of technology. find out More Limerick institute of technology Moylish park, Limerick. phone: 061-208208 Web: www.lit.ie • Email: information@lit.ie

Relationships

ACCORD – caring for marriage, building relationships.

Each year thousands of couples choose to avail of the Sacrament of Marriage. accORD has the great privilege of working with these couples as they prepare to enter into a lifetime commitment to each other.

Through our marriage preparation programme ‘Marriage a Journey not a Destination’ we offer couples an opportunity to get away from the preparations associated with their wedding day , which can cause so much stress for one or both of them.

In the non intrusive company of other couples and the ACCORD programme facilitators, spending quality time together, they can: explore as couple, their past, engage with the present and look with confidence to the future.

Why MaRRiagE PREPaRatiOn? This is a question many couples ask, not just of ACCORD but of their priest. ACCORD, in inviting couples to attend their course, ask the following question: when did you spend nine hours together recently, if at all, looking at the core elements of your relationship, your family of origin, how you communicate, deal with conflict? What does being a parent mean? Your commitment, sexuality, fertility awareness and well-being?

Couples are encouraged to discuss all of these topics with each other even if they believe they have done so already. The majority of couples who attend our courses offer very positive feedback.

They appreciate the opportunity to explore the various topics mentioned above and all would say that they got something from the course. For more details why not visit www.accord.ie.

LIT Accountancy Page 14.indd 1 24-2.indd 1

Catholic Marriage Care Service

Are you getting married in 2011?

Prepare well with ACCORD Attend an ACCORD Marriage Preparation Course by booking on-line or contact your local ACCORD Centre (60 locations nationwide)

Visit www.accord.ie for more details

16/05/2011 11:30:00 11:33:05

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BSc (Hons) at NUI Galway

What is Podiatry?

P

Podiatry as a career odiatry is a healthcare profession that specialises in the management of disease and disorder of the lower limb and

foot.

The foot is a highly complex structure, which can develop problems affecting overall health and quality of life. Podiatry can significantly improve peoples’ quality of life by promoting and maintaining mobility. Therefore, podiatry as a career can be extremely rewarding, fulfilling and offers immense job satisfaction.

What is the difference between Chiropody and Podiatry?

Podiatry as a profession has developed from its origins in Chiropody, however Podiatry has developed a broader scope of practice focussing on the use of scientific principles in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of lower limb pathologies.

Advancing areas of Podiatry that are becoming influential in the evolution of the profession include: dermatology for Podiatrists, paediatric care and management, sports and human performance, forensic Podiatry, acupuncture for Podiatrists, manipulation therapies, homeopathic medicines and ultrasonography for Podiatrists.

Scope of Practice of a Podiatrist Diabetes Individuals with diabetes can develop complex foot problems during the course of the disease that can lead to episodes of infection, foot ulceration and in some cases amputation of the lower limb.

Podiatrists play a pivotal role in the prevention of such problems.

They will undertake regular screening of patients to identify those at risk, offer health promotion and design, and implement, management plans to prevent problems occurring. In those with established foot complications podiatrists will provide wound care and dressings, prescribe orthotics to reduce pressure on the foot and offer advice on footwear.

Vascular People with poor circulation to their feet are at an increased risk of developing foot ulceration and non-healing lesions that could lead to infection, gangrene and amputation.

Podiatrists can provide regular screening to identify those with poor circulation at an early stage, undertake vascular assessments of the lower limb, manage skin and nail pathologies and provide wound care for those with foot ulceration.

Rheumatology Rheumatoid arthritis (RhA) can significantly affect the feet leading to severe deformity and pain. Individuals with RhA benefit from regular podiatry intervention to promote comfort and improve mobil-

ity. Podiatrists will reduce painful calluses on the foot, assess foot function and prescribe orthotics to achieve this.

Surgery As part of the BSc Podiatry training programme podiatrists are trained in minor surgery, for instance nail surgery, and the administration of local anaesthetics into the foot.

Following qualification podiatrists can undertake further training to become a podiatric surgeon and undertake more complex bone and joint surgery of the foot.

Podiatric Biomechanics/Orthopaedics Podiatrists assess, diagnose and treat all lower limb and foot ailments. Podiatric biomechanics can be understood as the study of the way the lower limb and foot moves, inclusive of the muscles and soft tissues as well as the anatomical structure and movement of the bones and joints.

Podiatrist perform gait analysis on patients, this is a highly skilled clinical tool to aid the understanding of mechanism of why injuries occur and why tissues get stressed within the musculoskeletal system.

Podiatrist will prescribe to patients when needed: stretching exercises, lifestyle changes, functional foot orthoses, and specialist footwear advice to enable the rehabilitation of patients’ symptoms.

They will see patients who will possibly have to undergo surgery as well as ones who have already had surgery.

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NUI Galway School of Health Sciences

Studying BSc (Hons) Podiatry at NUI Galway

T

Course Content

he Discipline of Podiatry was established in 2008. NUI Galway offers the only BSc (Hons) Podiatry course in the Republic of Ireland. The development of the podiatry course at NUI Galway is an exciting initiative that has been developed through close partnership with NUI Galway and the Health Services Executive (HSE) West.

Dedicated teaching facilities have been developed within Áras Moyola and a state of the art podiatry clinic has also been developed by the HSE at the Merlin Park Hospital site, Galway. This is where the majority of the students’ clinical education and training will be undertaken throughout the programme.

Year 1 • Introduction to Clinical Studies • Podiatry Theory 1 • Anatomy • Human Body Function • Professional Development • Redefining Health and Wellbeing Year 2 • Clinical Studies 2 • Podiatry Theory 2 • Pathophysiology • Functional Anatomy & Biomechanics • Research Methods 1 • An Introduction to Pharmacology

Course Outline At NUI Galway Podiatry students will be educated in assessing, diagnosing, planning and implementing interventions for lower limb and foot related problems for all age groups.

The structure of the degree programme introduces, in a defined manner, inter-professional learning in both academic and clinical modules. It has, as its central focus, the integration of theory with clinical practice with opportunities for inter-professional learning with other health care professionals, for instance occupational

therapists, speech and language therapists and doctors.

The overall goal of this programme is to prepare competent, flexible, accountable practitioners, who are capable of lifelong learning.

COURSE FACTS Bachelor of Science (Podiatry) CAO Code:

GY504

Entry points (2010): 445 Duration:

4 years full time

Average intake:

25

Entry requirements: Minimum Grade HC3 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at H or O Level in the Leaving Certificate including: Irish, English, another language, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science and any other subject recognised for entry purposes.

Additional Requirements: Students must satisfy the Garda Vetting and Medical Clearance requirements.

Year 3 • Clinical Studies 3 • Medicine and Surgery • Pharmacology in Health & Disease • Research Methods 2 • Podiatry Theory 3 • Health Promotion Year 4 • Clinical Studies 4 • Working with Vulnerable adults • Skills for practice • Footwear and Orthoses • Research Project • Contemporary Practice Work Placements Clinical Practice will be integrated into each year of the programme, so that students will have the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice as they work through the course.

Students will undertake over 1,000 hours treating patients with a wide variety of medical and surgical conditions; children, sports injuries and patients requiring soft tissue surgery successfully under the supervision of a qualified Podiatrist.

Find OUT MORE Full details of the course are available at www.nuigalway.ie/podiatry Or contact the Podiatry department on 091 495 814 Or email: podiatry@nuigalway.ie

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Education 19

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Peugeot Ireland

Last chance scrappage from Peugeot

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eugeot in Ireland has announced the continuation of the Peugeot Scrappage Scheme offering up to e4,160 off its range of low CO2-emitting models.

Customers can now avail of e3,470 off a new Peugeot 107, e3,680 off a new Peugeot 207 and e4,160 off a new Peugeot 308 model. Peugeot are also now offering e3,970 scrappage off the Peugeot 3008, winner of the Continental Irish Car of the Year 2010 award and e4,160 off the Peugeot 5008 7-Seater MPV, Continental Irish Family Car of the Year 2011. The Peugeot Scrappage Scheme will run to the 30th June 2011.

A new Peugeot 107 SE 1.0 petrol 5dr model, retailing from e11,965 is now available at a scrappage price of e8,495 and qualifies for e104 annual road tax.

The 107 SE has as standard ABS, electronic brake force distribution, corner stability control, driver / passenger / side airbags, remote central locking, electric front windows, speed-related power steering, height adjustable steering wheel, socket for MP3 player and split folding rear seat.

A new Peugeot 207 S 1.4 petrol 95bhp 5dr model, retailing from e15,675 is now available at a scrappage price of e11,995 and qualifies for e104 or e156 road tax, depending on the model. Following a survey of over 20,000 motorists in the UK, the Peugeot 207 was heralded as most reliable car in Europe.* Standard equipment includes ABS, electronic brake force distribution, 4 airbags, electric front windows, remote central locking with deadlocks and height / reach adjustable steering wheel. A special edition 207 Envy 1.4 petrol is now available at a retail price of e17,060 or at a scrappage price of e13,380 plus delivery. Qualifying for e156 road tax,

standard equipment includes air conditioning, alloy wheels, front fog lamps, 6 airbags, Bluetooth and a leather steering wheel.

The Peugeot 308 S 1.6 HDi 90bhp 5dr model, which secured a Guinness World Record for fuel efficiency when it achieved 126MPG and up to 2,000km from a single tank of fuel, retails from e20,155 and is now available at a scrappage price of e15,995. It qualifies for e104 annual road tax.

Standard specification includes ABS, electronic brake force distribution, 6 airbags, automatic activation of hazard lights, front electric windows, remote audio controls and 3 ISOFIX child seat fixtures.

The Peugeot 3008 SE 1.6 HDi model, Continental Irish Car of the Year 2010, retails from e24,965 and is now available at a scrappage price of e20,995. With annual road tax of e156, the Peugeot

3008 SE is equipped with 17� wheels, body coloured and electric / heated door mirrors, remote central locking with deadlocks, automatic door locking, space saver spare wheel, aircon, ESP, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, hill assist, 6 airbags, height adjustable driver seat.

The Peugeot 5008 SE 1.6 HDi model, Continental Irish Family Car of the Year 2011, retails from e27,155 and is now available at a scrappage price of e22,995.

Annual road tax is e156 and standard equipment includes three child seat ISOFIX fixtures in row 2, ESP, curtain airbags along all three rows, electric child locks, air conditioning, electric front windows and hill assist. * Warranty Direct: April 2011

Find OUT MORE www.peugeot.ie

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Limerick Institute of Technology

Active Learning at LIT Active Learning is at the core of the educational philosophy embraced by LIT

W

hen entering any of the campuses of Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), the likelihood is that the visitor will meet students engaged in practical projects which take them outside the classroom. The attempt by Events Management students to break the world record for a mass participation HAKA dance, involving thousands of members of the public on a rugby match day and raising funds for charity (see front cover of LIT students with former rugby International Peter Clohessy), was such an example.

Active Learning is at the core of the educational philosophy embraced by LIT, and this applies to a wide spectrum of science, engineering, IT, art and design, business and humanities programmes. LIT recently completed its vision and strategy document LIT 2020, with the theme: “A c t i v e L e a d e r s h i p i n E d u c a t i o n , Enterprise and Engagement throughout Limerick City and County, Tipperary and Clare”.

Following the integration of Tipperary Institute into LIT which comes into effect on September 1st 2011, the enlarged LIT will have nearly 7500 full-time and parttime students. This integration is the first in the third level sector since the publication of the Hunt report.

Connecting theory and practice, students develop and apply their understanding through problem-solving exercises, case studies, hands-on practical work in labs, workshops or studios, reflection journals and other activities.

LIT’s educational philosophy of active learning is aimed at the acquisition of deeper understanding and specialist competencies in the core area of study, but also at the acquisition of generic skills (teamworking, communication etc.) which are highly sought after by employers.

Three very different examples of active learning approaches follow below.

positive result

IT Factor

One tangible positive result of this integration process is that across all the LIT campuses, the educational philosophy of active learning will be implemented.

LIT has defined active learning as a strategy which encourages students to be active participants in the learning process, and allows them to take ownership of their own education through authentic experiences.

In March this year LIT’s Millennium Theatre played host to 'IT Factor 2011', a national song contest for representatives from each of the Institutes of Technology.

Students of LIT’s Video & Sound Technology and Music Technology courses managed the event which was attended by an audience of over 300 people from various IOTs around the

country and was also live-streamed through the LIT website.

In keeping with LIT’s educational philosophy of active learning, the song contest was used as a learning tool for staging a large scale television production allowing students to put into practice the

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theory they had learned over the course of the year.

Based on a mini Eurovision, the event was run as a professional television production. Each of the key areas of sound, lighting, TV production and event management were overseen by a member of staff while an army of students carried out the tasks of camera operating, sound mixing, vision mixing and stage management, all under the command of a director. Each student functioned at a level that would be expected from them in a real-world environment, providing an authentic active learning experience.

Speaking about the event Dáithi Sims, Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at LIT said, “The IT Factor is a major event for LIT’s Video & Sound and Music Technology courses.

Directed, produced and managed completely by LIT staff and students, the scale of the event is akin to any professional television production and it is a significant challenge to have everything run smoothly on the night”.

Problem Based Learning in LIT Tipperary School LIT Tipperary has embedded Problem Based Learning (PBL) as a teaching and learning technique in two programmes, the BSc (Hons) Environmental and Natural

Resource Management and BA (Hons) Social and Community Studies. With PBL, students are presented with a problem at the start of the learning process and by attempting to solve this problem they identify their own learning needs and develop a deep understanding of the topic.

During dedicated PBL weeks students have no 'traditional' lectures or workshops. Instead, they receive a problem on the Monday. This is followed by independent learning and facilitated discussion during the week. The students then pool their learning and prepare a report for Friday.

One sample problem focuses on the Eco-Village in Cloughjordan. Students conduct an assessment of the Eco-Village using sustainability principles, which

involves a field-trip. At the end of the week the students report their solutions to members of the Eco-Village.

Feedback from students on PBL is generally very positive: “PBL is a very effective way of learning ... you learn about how the subject can be applied in the real world.”

“Our performance as a team worked very well... we listened to each other, took on board what each person had to say.”

PBL presents challenges for staff, who must encourage students to ask the right questions rather than hand them solutions, and they must trust that the students will address the learning issues.

These challenges have been met and PBL has led to greater staff collaboration and to greater innovation in programme delivery. In addition, staff attest to the remarkable depth and breadth of student learning that PBL facilitates.

The initiatives described in this feature are just some of the many ways that LIT staff give substance to the philosophy of active learning. Across all programmes, active learning approaches are used to connect theory and practice and to help students to take ownership of their learning. This is what makes LIT a lively and dynamic place, where students and staff are co-creators of the learning environment.

Demonstrating that lecturing needn’t be only chalk and talk LIT Lecturer wins regional teaching award Dr David Brancaleone, who lectures in art history in LIT (School of Art and Design), has been named overall winner of the 2011 Shannon Consortium Regional Excellence in Teaching Award. His portfolio demonstrates that lecturing needn’t be only chalk and talk.

Posing the question whether “students can think outside the box when they spend four years inside”, it includes student-led projects which develop criticality and creativity.

Art in The Making is a weekly out-of-hours gathering in LSAD which shows how learning can happen informally and unexpectedly. For example, a joint event in Limerick on Lawrence Lessig’s “Copyleft” concept led to an undergraduate conference in a Cork community arts centre. Currently, a film season of European alternatives to Hollywood is leading to

n LIT Art and Design Student at work

students’ short films (documentaries and fiction), to be shown in Limerick and Cork galleries and Youtube.

When Thinking Aloud, a weekly graduate seminar, moved out of college into the Hunt Museum in Limerick and opened to the public at lunchtime, the students re-named it Thinking Allowed. One advantage of changing the teaching and learning context was the integration of theory and practice, with students working on art coming into direct contact with the city, and theorising and engaging directly with the public.

David explains how participation in a conference, Knowledge (2008) organised by the UK Higher Education Academy, “made me aware of the problem of squaring student criticality with the Bologna-driven learning outcomes movement”, later tackled in collaborative IJES and BJES articles. Illich and Freire are two influences, informing the view that “learning is emancipation, not business; a means for students to have a voice in the world and improve it.”

Education 23

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Bord na Móna

An exciting portal into the past, present and future of Bord na Móna

B

ORD na Móna’s new website, www.heartland.ie, brings the history of the company to life and offers an invaluable resource to a wide range of audiences including students and teachers alike.

Heartland is an exciting portal into the past, present and future of Bord na Móna, a company that has helped to build communities across Ireland. It also provides a source of relevant educational information to teachers and students in an interactive and engaging manner.

HISTORY AND SOCIAL IMPACT The seeds of the Heartland initiative were sown in 2009, when Bord na Móna celebrated its’ 75th anniversary. A Heartland exhibition outlining the history and social impact of Bord na Móna was developed and was officially launched by President McAleese in September 2009.

Attendees at the launch included many well known public figures including Ryan Tubridy, whose grandfather, Todd Andrews is the founding father of the company.

The exhibition went on a national road show and was welcomed in a number of locations around the country many of which were within the areas that Bord na Móna is either currently operational or was operational in years gone by.

The Heartland website was subsequently developed to provide a permanent online home for Bord na Móna’s history and heritage.

It includes information about the Heartland exhibition and also features Brown Gold, a book that chronicles the

history of the company.

The site also seeks to advance the knowledge of those with an active interest in the history and heritage of Bord na Móna and to foster and grow an online community that will help contribute to the future development of the site. For the casual visitor, Heartland showcases the role played by Bord na Móna in the Irish economy since the foundation of the State.

The site also aims to support educators by providing educational information in the student section including fact sheets, quizzes, word searches and much more. The ■ A couple of young workers make tea on the entire site is packed with articles, bog during footing work They may also be people with a parvideos, photos and audio clips which help ticular knowledge or interest in Bord na to make it not only an invaluable Móna. The sign-up process is extremely resource, but a very engaging one too. simple and you can even join the community on the Facebook site.

THIRD-LEVEL STUDENTS

For third-level students, there is a wealth of great reference material including articles that cover almost every aspect of Bord na Móna’s history, such as extensive insights into the camps set up in the midlands for workers from around the country who came to cut turf. These formed the basis for several communities, villages and towns now thriving in the heart of Ireland.

Heartland.ie covers an ■ Éamon DeValera, Frank Aiken and others visiting the extensive period from the Edenderry Camp in 1944

early days of the company, right up to the present day and the company’s new vision of Bord na Móna: “A New Contract With Nature”.

Bord na Móna’s current operations include resource recovery, renewable energy and air and waste water treatment and are forging a profitable and sustainable future for the company.

The aim of Heartland is twofold; to showcase Bord na Móna’s history and heritage and to develop and grow a dynamic community. Visitors to the site can comment on content and contribute information, pictures and videos to the site. Contributors might be current or former Bord na Móna employees or even family and friends of a Bord na Móna employee.

VIBRANT COMMUNITY The aim is to grow a vibrant community with a constant flow of information between all parties with a view to Heartland constantly evolving, entertaining and informing.

If you would like to contribute, or know someone who would like to, visit www.heartland.ie or simply log on and enjoy the wealth of audio, video, pictures and educational material at your fingertips.

FIND OUT MORE www.heartland.ie

EDUCATION 25

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Enterprise interview

Energy revolution The proposed Lumcloon power station in Co Offaly is not just another power station. It will be a unique type of power station in Ireland and could be the key to unlocking Ireland's wind power resources. Niall Gormley reports.

W

ind is Ireland's oil. We are perched out on the north east of Europe, our island buffeted by cyclones and anticyclones coming in off the Atlantic.

There's enough energy in these winds to meet all our energy needs, transport and electric, and enough left over to power a good proportion of the rest of Europe.

This much is agreed. What isn't agreed is that wind is a useful energy source. So far we have not figured out how to conv e r t t h e e n e rg y i n w i n d i n t o t h e on-demand energy we require today and into the future.

We have made a start. Twenty years ago a wind turbine capable of producing a megawatt (MW) of energy was virtually unheard of, and the technology was in its infancy. There has been a huge investment in research and development in wind power and the machines deployed today are capable of producing huge quantities of energy, with more improvements to come.

The problem with wind But wind has a fundamental flaw as a power source. It is intermittent. It is quite easy to add small quantities of wind to the national grid because these quantities are within the scope of power stations

going on and off the grid during normal operation. But when the scale of the wind power required on the national grid goes over a certain level the problems begin.

If, for example, we need wind power to supply 20 per cent of our electricity, there will come a calm day when the contribution will be zero. On that day we need conventional power stations to produce all the missing power. Critics of wind say that this means than all wind power must be matched by conventional power, doubling the capital requirements and making wind power uneconomic.

Furthermore, the most efficient and popular source of power in modern grids is the gas fired power station, and these stations cannot be simply switched on and off at a whim. They need time to warm up and constant powering up and down shortens their life spans, destroying their viability.

The storage solution The other solution for the variability of wind power (and other renewables such as solar and wave power) is to store the energy. Pumped water storage is the main idea here and we already have an example of this technology in Ireland at Turlough Hill where water is pumped up during low demand and released to pro-

duce power during high demand.

The Spirit of Ireland Group have proposed a scaled up version where sea water would be stored in newly created reservoirs in valleys along Ireland's west coast. The Group have yet to make a specific proposal but there's no technical reason why it wouldn't work. There may be economic and environmental hurdles to be overcome.

But even if these hurdles are to be overcome there is the scale of storage needed. Ireland experiences periodic calm spells which could switch wind power off for up to a week or more. It is inconceivable, (at the moment, anyway), that we could build enough storage to power the country for a week.

Even dispersed wind farms, off the coast of Cork and Donegal for example, which would offset the impact of local weather systems, wouldn't solve the problem, although veteran wind power advocate Eddie O'Connor's suggestion of a European grid would indeed help.

The Lumcloon solution So we are left with all this energy and no means to use it. But there is a solution, however, and that is to adapt our existing generation to complement wind power.

The proposed Lumcloon power station in

26 Education

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Co Offaly is the first power station specifically designed to support wind production at the lowest cost to the electricity user.

Earlier I mentioned that the current favoured method to generate power is the gas fired power station. Specifically it is Combined Cycle Gas generation.

However, there is a simpler and more flexible technology available called Open Cycle Gas generation. Despite not being as efficient as Combined Cycle it is much cheaper to install, can be deployed within minutes and can be installed close to demand centres which reduces transmission losses.

The Lumcloon power plant is a combination of Open Cycle and Combined Cycle running. When required, the plant will be able to be started up within minutes. Generation can then be extended to Combined Cycle for longer periods.

Indeed, EirGrid and CER have already recognised the need for the services from flexible generation plants such as Lumcloon. Both organisations are currently undergoing detailed reviews of the value and importance of flexible generation in terms of system stability, and the benefit to the consumer. The more efficient flexible plant there is on the system, the more wind energy from existing wind turbines can be utilised to drive down costs for the Irish consumer, and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of fuel.

The Lumcloon Energy plant is designed to be a mid-merit power plant. This means that it will have the ability to start and stop on a daily basis to serve electric load that comes on during the day and goes off late at night. A mid-merit power plant is more efficient than a peaking power plant which generally runs only when there is a high demand for electricity The Lumcloon Energy approach is designed to be the lowest minimum generation capability in Ireland, i.e. to go from 33MW to 50MW in CCGG mode.

This design leads to less curtailment of wind; therefore it is a cost saving to the grid. Simply put, the proposed Lumcloon plant’s flexibility will complement wind energy production, allowing more energy from fewer turbines to be delivered to the Irish electricity user.

Gas powered generation A GAS turbine is very similar to a jet engine in that it is an internal combustion engine. Instead of producing a jet exhaust the energy is use to spin an electric generator.

As with other engines, it is very easy to start and can be ramped up to full power within minutes. Gas turbines obviously use natural gas as a fuel but they can also use oil as a backup as well, which greatly increases their flexibility, reliability and fuel security.

Open Cycle Gas Generation is simply

a gas turbine working on its own to produce electricity.

Combined Cycle Gas Generation (CCGG) uses the heat from the gas turbine to power a steam turbine as well which increases the power output as well as the efficiency. The downside is that the steam turbine units must be ramped up over a number of hours and that the initial costs are much higher.

The Lumcloon facility seeks to use the advantages of both form of gas generation.

Open Cycle Gas Generation

Generator

Gas Turbine

Combined Cycle Gas Generation

THE LUMCLOON CONCEPT Patrick Cassidy is head of Business Development with Lumcloon Energy and RR Projects, an Offaly engineering company. He explained that the original idea for the Lumcloon project came from Nigel Reams, the founder of RR Projects.

Nigel and RR Projects had extensive

Generator

Gas Turbine

Generator

Steam Turbine

Exhaust Heat

EDUCATION 27

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experience in power generation development in Ireland and internationally, for example at the new Combined Cycle Gas station at Whitegate in Cork.

"It was recognised by Nigel Reams that there was a gap in the provision of power in the Irish market and that gap was the generating power needed to support wind energy," says Patrick.

"There is an energy goal in Ireland that by 2020, 40 per cent of our energy would come from renewables and that, for practical purposes, means wind. The quality of wind in Ireland is good, but wind by its nature is not consistent.

"The problem is that conventional

plant can't be ramped up and down flexibly. Some conventional plant can take up to 30 hours to ramp up and if you try to do it quicker than this it can damage the plant. This was recognised by Nigel Reams at the time that the way to go forward would be to have a source of energy available that would allow wind to be used."

The innovation at the heart of the Lumcloon project is to combine both open and combined cycles to produce the optimum flexibility for short-term demand along with the greater efficiencies when the plant can be run for longer periods.

The company applied for permission to

supply the grid and received an allocation of 300mw. Patrick acknowledges that it is a significant amount of power and also points out the suitability of the location.

"It's well placed on the grid, right in the centre of Ireland; it has access to the power lines that were on the original Ferbane power station and it's close to the main lines of the national grid."

The old Ferbane station was a 80mw peat fired station and was decommissioned in 2001. The ESB then sold off the site and Nigel Reams recognised the potential of the site for continuing to supply electricity to the grid.

The plan is to begin construction before the end of 2011. Patrick Cassidy says that the construction part of the project will take two years.

"The gas to be supplied to the station will require a new spur from the gas grid coming from Athlone, 19km to Lumcloon as the crow flies."

In addition to the gas, there will also be a supply of oil distillate on the site which may be used to power the turbines in the event of a break in the gas supply.

The MACCSol Research Project

I want it now!

All forms of power generation have scheduling problems

Wind generation has a scheduling problem - as all the doubters point out!

What is less well known is that all forms of power generation have a problem meeting demand when its needed.

The reason for this is that almost all power in Ireland has to be produced the instant that it is needed, and that this demand varies from hour to hour.

If you look at the chart above you will see how electricity demand varies over the course of 24 hours. But power plants can't be ramped up and down on an hourly basis, as it destroys their efficiencies, increases maintenance costs and reduces their life cycles.

The electricity demand at the bottom of the chart that runs for 24 hours is called base load. Power supply that can be switched on flexibly is called 'mid-

merit' or 'intermediate' load and peaks in the demand are catered for by 'peaking' units.

The grid tries to manage the system by scheduling maintenance to suit down times but it's a struggle. Day time electricity is the most valuable and nighttime electricity is least valuable. That's why the operators are keen to get people to use night-rate electricity. It hasn't really worked.

So while the problem with wind is that it can't be switched on, the problem with nuclear, coal, oil and combined cycle gas is that they can't be switched off.

And this is the problem that combined Open Cycle and Combined Cycle gas generation solves, not just for wind but for all areas of electricity production.

RR Projects are also carrying out a major research project into improving the cooling technologies used at power stations.

The original research came from a problem of concentrated solar power where a field of mirrors are used to boil water to produce power. The countries most suited to this power are also short of water so that cooling the condensers in these power stations is a major problem.

The resulting project, with seven partners across Europe and with funding of almost six million Euro, was launched in September 2010. The project is called MACCSol – Modular Air Cooled Condensers for Concentrated Solar Power.

There are two approaches to this project; one is to assess techniques for pre-cooling air which enters condensers in CSP plants, and two, to investigate heat exchanger performance degradation over the lifetime of a condenser as a result of harsh operating environments. This study, which will culminate with a commercially marketable product, will take four years.

RR Projects had hoped to use the results of the research in the design for the Lumcloon plant but the research was ongoing while the plant was being designed, although it is hoped to incorporate improvements in future.

28 Education

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Getting the community involved Patrick Cassidy is keen to point out that the Lumcloon power station project worked hard to get the support of the local community and that the project will work to benefit the community as well.

The promise of 500 construction jobs as well as 50 permanent jobs thereafter is obviously attractive to the community, especially in these straightened times, but similar projects have failed to garner community support when the project promoters decided to ignore community interests.

Nigel Reams is from Co Offaly and set out at the beginning to attract community input and support.

"From the very start the project started to meet local groups to explain what the project was about. We spent time with community groups and community representatives. We held a number of public meetings where the public could come along and ask questions."

Patrick pointed out that local people

came along to oral hearings to express their support for the project, sometime paying e50 in order to make representations.

"It was so important that from the very beginning that proper information was provided in a manner that people could digest. We kept the detail to the required level without being patronising. But if somebody asked a technical question, we gave them the required technical answer.

By and large we made sure that people were aware of what we were doing."

Lumcloon also proposes to directly aid the community on an ongoing basis.

Over a five year period the company proposes to provide a total fund of €150,000 for projects that promote and support local community development and services.

Also the project is aiming to work with local schools, colleges and universities to promote renewable and allied technologies and to inspire students to become involved in engineering studies, as well as research projects like MACCSol outlined in the box opposite.

Lumcloon - six generators in one power station The block diagram below outlines how the Lumcloon station will work. The units marked GT are the gas turbines, each of which are capable of producing 50mw of power very rapidly.

The exhaust gases from the gas turbines may then be sent to the heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) which basically use the heat to produce steam.

This steam is then used to run the steam powered generators which will produce 37.5mw of power each.

In addition, there are four supplementary firing units which can temporarily raise the temperature of the steam going into the steam generators to generate extra power at short notice to provide additional spinning reserve to the grid at little extra cost.

Designed for flexibility It was decided to design a power generation station with four small scale (50MW) gas turbines, as opposed to one large turbine This automatically heightens the reliability and availability of output, since it reduces the likelihood of the whole plant being rendered unavailable • The plant will have the capability of producing 300MW of power • The power plant will be capable of running in either open cycle or combined cycle modes • The proposed power block will comprise of four small scale (<50MW) gas turbines, four heat recovery steam turbine generators (HRSGs) producing a further 100MW, and two steam turbine generators, producing 75MW • Diverter dampers will be installed between the gas turbines and the heat recovery boilers. The four gas turbines in open cycle mode will be capable of producing electricity in the range of 0MW to 188MW, in order t o re s p o n d t o d e m a n d b y t h e Transmission System Operator.

• In the event of shutdown of one of the steam turbines, the plant would still be capable of producing approximately 250MW of power (i.e. by operating two gas turbines in open cycle mode and two gas turbines in combined cycle) • The design concept allows for operation at a high efficiency and low emissions values throughout a wide plant power output by the possibility to reduce the power on the gas turbines one by one • The plant will be capable of starting up and reaching full load in open cycle (200MW) mode in 10 minutes • From hot start in full Combined Cycle, (i.e. plant shutdown for less than 8 hours), the plant will take no longer than 60 minutes to reach full load • From cold start (i.e. plant shutdown for more than 64 hours), in Combined Cycle, the plant will take no longer than 240 minutes to reach full load • The supplementary firing ramp-up rate is around 13.2MW per minute; which means that the generator can ramp to full open-cycle mode (200MW) in 7.5 minutes Education 29

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Christian Brothers

Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers

Christian Brothers

B

lessed edmund Rice founded the Christian Brothers in 1802. His life had led him to explore at a deeper level his experience of religious faith while also reaching out to the neediest in society. He decided to found schools for the education of poor boys. The Christian Brothers have followed and adapted this tradition in more than twenty-six countries throughout the world.

In the developing world, there is still a pressing call to provide education for the poor as a pathway to liberation and human dignity. Nowadays, Brothers also work in townships, villages and slum areas as teachers while also co-ordinating health, social services and adult education among the people of these communities.

In the western world, Brothers still teach in schools and colleges. In more recent times they are engaging in projects for youth, the disadvantaged and migrant peoples. They run centres for spiritual development, educational life centres and adult education.

Christian Brothers today recognise the need to engage in a new spiritual search and in a new search for meaning. There has been a rapid change in the faith and consciousness of people in the twenty-first century. scientific and religious knowledge are discovering each other in new and creative ways. The challenge today is for education in a new experience of religious meaning and purposefulness in the world.

As Little Sisters of the Poor, we find our Joy in God…in the elderly…and in community

In a new search for – Meaning Spiritual Living Justice with Peace To make a difference – By living a full life with a new mission in brotherhood

For more information contact: Brother Edmund Garvey, Christian Brothers Province Centre, Griffith Avenue, Marino, Dublin 9.

Email: edmundgarvey@eircom.net

Franciscan Missionaries of our Lady Consecrated women following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, we make the Gospel our rule of life. Our missionary spirit prompts us to go throughout the world to serve others, especially the poorest, in areas of:

In 1839, Jeanne Jugan, (the Foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor), was devastated by the misery and desolation of the poor around her. She heard through them God’s gentle and persistent cry for help. She picked up a blind paralysed old lady from the street and gave her, her own bed. The door of her heart was open, never to close again. Young girls, inspired by her example, began to join her and the work flourished...

“Jesus gives us the example of prayer... He teaches us how to pray and He sends His Spirit to pray in us.”

For more information please contact Sister Monica Phone: 01-8332308 Email: msraheny@eircom.net Web: www.littlesistersofthepoor.ie

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Health Care Education Foreign Missions Parish Ministry Write to: Franciscan Missionaries of our Lady, Ballinderry, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

Tel: 044-9341500

16/05/2011 12:27:17 12:21:47 16/05/2011

Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services

Walk the Tatra Mountains for Hospice

o

ur annual Hike for Hospice trip provides you with the opportunity to raise much needed funds for our Lady’s Hospice & care Services while enjoying the beautiful scenery and rugged mountain walks.

Where: tatra Mountains, Poland When: august 2011

HoW do I joIn? to be part of this unique adventure, we require a deposit of €300 along with a completed application form. Sponsorship target includes return flights, hotel accommodation with full board, refreshments on our walks, coach transfers in

Poland, all taxes & insurance, and will be accompanied by an experienced walk leader. on receipt of your application you will receive a fundraising pack and training advice.

Please contact Mairéad or deirdre on 1850 66 06 06 or email fundraising@olh. ie for more information.

For three years walkers from far and wide have joined us in some of Europe’s most beautiful countries. the trip provides great walking, and opportunity to meet new people. those who have been with us before know the enjoyment to be had and to those who will join us for the first time – you’re in for a treat! People of different ages, abilities and backgrounds have walked with our Lady's Hospice & care Services. Why not make 2011 your year to join us?

Fundraising Target: €3,250

Congregation of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa A compassionate presence, reaching out to the poor and the underprivileged, addressing poverty, suffering and injustice in Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Sudan.

Read the latest digital edition of Education Magazine Ireland’s leading education magazine Keelaun ltd

You too can be involved by exploring this way of life that seeks to bring the love and compassion of God to others.

9 MayparK, Malahide road, dublin 5.

Tel: 8329243 • Fax: 8329246 • education@keelaun.ie Publishers of:

Read the eduCation RefeRenCe guide & diaRy 2010/11

For information please contact:

Sr. Bridgette Cormack on 01-2838376 Email: bcormack34@eircom.net • Website: fmsa.net

32 EDUCATION

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Education Magazine

Read the CuRRent edition

www.educationmagazine.ie

Education ??

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AirSpeed Telecom

Learning without limits!

Telecommunications infrastructure rolled out by AirSpeed Telecom significantly improves the day-to-day classroom experience in schools, colleges and universities across Ireland

I

nternet Bandwidth is now more than 30 times faster in schools, colleges and universities around the country thanks to the rollout of a telecommunications infrastructure by AirSpeed Telecom. The new broadband service is creating new opportunities in education nationwide by facilitating learning and sparking imaginations!

AirSpeed Telecom operates a nationwide telecommunications network providing internet, voice and data connectivity to large enterprises, public sector bodies and SME customers in Ireland.

AirSpeed Telecom also has an excellent track record working with the HEAnet to deliver high speed internet and network connections to schools and universities around the country.

As part of the innovative government initiative, AirSpeed Telecom is now providing a 100Mbps broadband service to 31 secondary schools nationwide. The project was rolled out last year by the Department of Communications in a bid to develop Irish schools into world class centres of e-learning and to educate the next generation of knowledge workers and digital entrepreneurs. The schools are located in geographical locations ranging from the Aran Islands and Tory Island to Cork, Clare, Galway, Kildare, Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin.

Each school now benefits from connection speeds similar to those used at large national and multinational companies, allowing for a quick uploading and downloading of material, instant connection to websites and increased use of online applications.

Máire Clár Nic Mhathúna, principal at Coláiste Phobail Cholmcille which is located on Tory island off the Donegal coast, says the new connection has completely transformed the school.

“Previously our connection depended a lot on the weather and the phone lines here, which are often not the best. Even when we had a connection, basic e-mail was all we could really manage. Now we

n Liam O’Kelly, CEO AirSpeed Telecom

have high-speed broadband access in every classroom.”

Jim Finn, ICT coordinator at Collinstown Park Community College in Clondalkin, Dublin says: “The students noticed the connection speed improved instantly. They all wanted to know what we had done to the computers, as they were so much faster. It has given us so many options which just were not available previously.”

Businesses and universities in the Western Gaeltacht region are also benefiting from faster internet bandwidth thanks to an infrastructure rollout by AirSpeed Telecom and HEAnet. The initiative has also resulted in impressive cost savings, efficiency gains and commercial opportunities for the institutions involved.

NUI Galway (NUIG) and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) are both using the new connectivity for a variety of uses, including the development of distance learning programmes and the introduction of videoconferencing as a way to replacing travelling for guest lecturers.

In addition, AirSpeed Telecom is pro-

viding broadband and high speed connections to many public and private educational institutions around the country with a range of enabling technologies including wireless, fibre and WiMax. Increasing both bandwidth and mobility is allowing schools and colleges to utilise communications technologies to great effect within the learning environment.

Liam O’Kelly, Managing Director of AirSpeed Telecom, says increased bandwidth in Ireland’s educational institutions will be of significant benefit to the tomorrow’s generations.

“Airspeed Telecom’s licensed wireless network has reach, versatility and guaranteed quality of service to meet the needs of the schools and universities and businesses. Having such high speed connectivity will open new possibilities in education for each of these institutions.

With this level of connectivity, the opportunities for interaction and collaboration are unlimited.”

Find OUT MORE Airspeed Telecom www.airspeed.ie 1890 799 899 Education 35

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36 Education

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i-to-i

Graduate Fiona Chose TEFL For Her First Job

J

ust 2 short months ago, Fiona McCullagh from Dungarvan, Co. Waterford arrived into Seoul, South Korea for the adventure of a lifetime! Having graduated from DCU in 2010 with a degree in Business Studies, Fiona decided to venture abroad with some friends to teach English as a foreign language on a year’s contract. new life After her first month of teaching in South Korea, Fiona was ready to give an insight into her new life. ‘I live in Uiwang, south of Seoul, which has everything you’d need. The school is really nice, so are the teachers and my Director.’

‘The kids are really cute and are eager to learn English; I have a teacher’s assistant for the younger ones too which helps a lot. Everyday we have story time and songs with the kinders (Kindergarten students) which means watching too much Barney online for research!’

‘On Fridays we take the kinders to the playground or to a nearby mountain to get some fresh air and play out of the

classroom – 50 kids on a mountain side can be stressful but good fun too!’

‘There is a big culture difference to acclimatise to though like bowing when you meet someone, I imagine it’ll be hard to stop doing that when I leave. I attend free Korean lessons and I can say a few words now like ‘hello’ and ‘chew faster’ but it can be frustrating trying to communicate some simple things.’

‘My apartment is across the road from my school which makes for an easy commute and now I’ve had a chance to give it a good clean, I’m really at home now.

Don’t ask me how the gas or aircon works though!’

Training Fiona obtained her job through i-to-i TEFL who also provided the training course that she needed to secure her job.

Courses are run nationwide and start from e269. i-to-i is Ireland’s leading provider of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) courses, training over 15,000 TEFL teachers globally each year.

Find OUT MORE To speak to an i-to-i TEFL Advisor about teaching English abroad call 01 5269506 or visit www.teflcourses.com.

Education 39

i-to-i Feat 24-2.indd 1

16/05/2011 13:34:07

Ink Maestro ad 24-2.indd 1

16/05/2011 13:36:48

Ink Maestro Ltd

Driving down print cartridge prices for schools and colleges

F

rank Walsh founded Ink Maestro Ltd (www.inkmaestro.ie) in mid2006 after identifying a gap in the market for high-quality compatible and re-manufactured consumables, to be offered alongside the full range of OEM (original) products.

This particular product mix, along with the stock required to meet almost any order size is something that very few, if any other retailers offered at the time.

The Ink Maestro website (www.inkmaestro.ie) went live at the end of 2006 and is now regarded as the reference point for printer/fax/photocopier consumables information.

We have a simple policy - to offer the best prices in Ireland for 'originals', and to then offer further savings with our high-quality range of compatibles.

From a standing start we very quickly attracted some 'heavy hitters' in terms of consumables-usage throughout the country with our price/product offerings, and that has helped us to grow substantially year on year.

In early 2007 we moved to a new office/warehouse premises and began to recruit. In 2009 we doubled our warehouse space by adding a mezzanine floor, and in 2011 we plan to acquire a second similar neighbouring premises to allow us expand further.

We supply hundreds of schools, dozens

2. Next examine closely whether the enterprise really needs colour printing, which is substantially more expensive than mono. Business stationary is inexpensive to buy in bulk, so there are few excuses for full colour printing.

3. Set all printers to use the 'draft' or 'toner-save' mode for all internal documents. This will use less ink or toner and will shave a percentage off printing costs.

4. Use â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;after market' or compatible toners. We use several heavy-duty laserjet machines to print hundreds of packing lists, labels and invoices every day. Every one of these is printed using our generic toners.

Cost per page is over 60% lower than using the original toners, and in 4 years we've never touched any of the printers, other than to replace certain hardware that has reached end-of-life (drums, fusers etc).

of university departments and thousands of private and commercial clients around the country on a next-day basis. Our web prices are next-to-impossible to beat, and our service is second to none.

Clients often ask us for advice as to how to reduce their printing spend and we always have the same couple of tips:

The current climate dictates that every cost is scrutinised, and rightly so. Printing is just one of these costs, but it can be a substantial one. We have proven that one way to drive down printing costs is to simply switch over to generic consumables.

If a client insists on using originals only, then theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be very hard-pressed to beat the prices available on www.inkmaestro. ie.

1. Minimise the number of inkjet machines used (they are always more expensive to run) and consider laser printing. Better to invest a little in network cabling and then run off a network laserjet. If thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not an option then use compatible cartridges and when purchasing a new inkjet printer refer to our site to make sure compatibles are available for it.

Education 41

Ink Maestro ed 24-2.indd 1

17/05/2011 10:26:26

The Educational Company of Ireland

Leading the way in digital content

T

HE Educational Company of Ireland, Edco, was founded in 1910 and is Ireland’s leading publisher of primary and post primary textbooks, exam papers, revision books and resources for the Irish curriculum. Edco have been leading the way in digital content, and are committed to producing quality digital resources for education to meet requirements of the curriculum, in an interesting and stimulating way.

Based on a successful two year pilot programme, Edco is the first publisher in Ireland to launch a complete digital curriculum, offering 23 interactive Junior Cert ebooks and 23 interactive Leaving Cert e-books.

The Edco e-book software is based on the award winning edcoDigital.ie website. edcoDigital.ie is an online teacher resource centre, used by 1000s of teachers daily nationwide, with over 140 primary and post primary e-books and 5,000 resources available such as videos, audio files, interactive activities, and solutions.

The Edco e-book software is installed on student laptops/devices and is

■ Tom Stack, Principal St. Fintina's Post Primary School, Longwood, Co Meath with first year students.

accessed using a unique username and password for each student.

The software works on all major hardware devices, and the e-book content can be accessed both online (through a dedicated website) and offline through the installed application.

CASE STUDY - ST. FINTINA’S, LONGWOOD, COUNTY MEATH VEC Over the past two years, Edco has been working closely with St. Fintina’s to deliver an innovative e-book solution.

Edco installed e-books on all incoming first years laptops, in place of the traditional textbooks, and based on continuous feedback, the school worked with Edco to refine and improve the e-book software.

Quoted are the original objectives for the project, which they feel have been achieved thanks to this innovative solution.

NEXT STEPS...

A demo can be arranged to showcase the Edco e-books, and to discuss the pricing and discounts available to schools. For schools interested in introducing e-books to students, please contact: Patrick Barry, Digital Development Manager, The Educational Company of Ireland. Telephone: 01-4299214 Email: pbarry@edco.ie

42 EDUCATION

Edco 24-2.indd 1

16/05/2011 16:33:28

Ed Co ads 24-2.indd 1

16/05/2011 13:41:29

Festo ad 24-2.indd 1

16/05/2011 13:43:25