Education Magazine 24-4

Vol.

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4

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Volume 24, Issue 4

Editor Niall Gormley

4 Cover story: Engineering an Innovation Eco-System at CIT 12 St Nicholas College montessori teacher education 14 i-to-i: Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Publishers Ard Education Ltd. Email: education@clubi.ie www.educationmagazine.ie

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

Printers Nicholson & Bass Ltd.

16 The Hotel School in GMIT 18 UCC College of Business and Law 20 Special feature: Audio-Visual Classroom Technology 22 Epson making high-quality education projectors affordable 25 Interview with David Daniels – Westcoast AV

Cover Story Pages 4-11 CIT Senior Lecturer wins Outstanding Contribution to Engineering Award as “Engineering an Innovation Eco-System at CIT” wins the inaugural Best in Class Award at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards

27 IT Carlow looks to a south east university 29 Avon Ri Adventure Centre 31 Education, enterprise and research at IT Tralee 33 Studying Nursing/ Midwifery at UCD 35 College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, UCC

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

36 Vincentian Lay Missionaries (VLM) 37 Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers 39 Festo and the WorldSkills Competition 43 ACCORD – caring for marriage, building relationships 45 An Post Museum 46 Reviews

Main Picture on Front page: Double National Award Winners 2011 Daniel Allen, Patrick Byrnes and Richard Childs, Mechanical Engineering, Cork Institute of Technology, “Automation of Prosthetic Shoulder Stem Blasting Process” in conjunction with Croom Precision Medical Engineers Ireland Innovative Student of the Year First Place National Award Winner 2011 MEETA, The Asset Managers Association, First Place National Student Award Winner 2011. Pic: Maxwells

Inset Picture on Front page: Engineers Ireland Chartered Engineer of the Year 2011. Louise Connolly - ESB International Cork Institute of Technology Mechanical Engineering Graduate. First Female Winner of Chartered Engineer of the Year Accolade. Pic: Maxwells

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Cork Institute of Technology

Cork Institute of Technology

Engineering an Innovation Eco-System at CIT CIT Senior Lecturer wins Outstanding Contribution to Engineering Award “Engineering an Innovation Eco-System at CIT” wins Inaugural Best in Class Award Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards

T

he national award was presented to Senior Lecturer Sean F. O’Leary based on his contribution over many years to the promotion and achievement of excellence in the engineering profession both in Ireland and on the international stage.

Over the past two years alone, students tutored and mentored by Sean have won a glittering array of international and national awards including the Babcock Award for Best European Mechanical Engineering Student, the European Laureate of Innovation “Innovact” Award, The Vicon and Corin International Medical Engineering Awards, The Siemens Engineers Ireland Innovative Student of the Year Award, The Oscar Wilde and William Butler Yeats Gold Medals, Undergraduate Awards of Ireland and Northern Ireland and The MEETA Asset Managers National Student Award.

The CIT Innovative Product Development Laboratories major submission "Engineering an Innovation Eco-System", authored by Senior Lecturer Sean F. O’Leary, was also declared the Inaugural Winner of the "Best in Class" Engineering Education 2011 Award at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards. ground-breaking The development and delivery of groundbreaking Innovative and New Product Development Multi-Disciplinary Engineering/Business Laboratories modules and projects at Cork Institute of Technology has dovetailed with the implementation of major initiatives including CIT innovation start-up company internships, CIT innovation week and student prizes for innovation, CIT engineering and innovation exhibition (180 stands in 2011) to engineer a collegewide student innovation eco-system.

Apart from the critically important ben-

n CIT Senior Lecturer Sean F. O’Leary and Mary O’Leary with the ESB Award for Outstanding Contribution to Engineering at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards

efit of the inculcation and enablement of an innovation/entrepreneurial spirit and ethos amongst the student body, the implementation of the new Innovative Development Laboratories has also led to an unprecedented flowering of Irish student international and national achievement.

Exhibition Senior Lecturer Sean F. O’Leary organises on an annual basis the Cork Mechanical, Manufacturing & Biomedical Engineering Exhibition - Ireland’s Largest Educational Engineering and Innovation Exhibition with over 180 stands in 2011.

The exhibition attracts over 30 sponsors, large numbers of the industrialists, academics and the general public, including in excess of 2,000 second level students annu-

ally with past major centrepiece exhibits including a full-scale reconstruction of the studio of the renowned Engineer and Artist, Leonardo da Vinci incorporating six scale models of his designs/inventions. Both Jordan and Ferrari Formula 1 Racing cars have also formed centrepiece exhibits.

Working with his Innovative Product Development (IPD) Laboratories Development Team colleagues, Chris Gibbons, Michael J. O’Mahony, Michael Walsh, Colm Barry Murphy and Colette Murphy, Sean F. O’Leary has been central to the development and delivery of groundbreaking Innovative and New Product Development Multi-Disciplinary Engineering/Business Laboratories modules and projects at Cork Institute of Technology.

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Cork Institute of Technology

n Engineers Ireland Chartered Engineer of the Year 2011 Louise Connolly, ESBI, CIT Mechanical Engineering Graduate, First Female Winner of Chartered Engineer of the Year Accolade

Business and engineering Business and engineering students are brought together through an action learning project in which multidisciplinary teams collaborate in conception, research, design, development, experimentation, validation, prototype production, proof of concept of an innovative product, estimate its commercial potential and plan for its exploitation.

Many of the emerging products, while critically cognisant of commercial realities and practicalities, are also driven by student idealism towards the use of engineering, business and innovation to better mankind - with many projects addressing biomedical and societal needs and issues.

Employing educational and research tools, methodologies and skills acquired, developed and honed over many years’ experience of board face lecturing and industrial cooperative applied research, the laboratory and workshop based modules centre on the practical development and inculcation of engineering systematic product research, design, development and production skills, experimental and modelling techniques, commercial investigation/ assessment, marketing, communication and interdisciplinary teamwork management.

Environmental impact, lifecycle, safety and hazard analysis techniques are introduced and implemented in the innovative product design, production, validation, optimisation, utilisation and disposal.

nessed through the incorporation of formal consultations and day/evening lectures by leaders of industry and research, project managers, entrepreneurs, patent lawyers, marketing analysts and innovation centre managers.

IPD student intern progression to founding of start-up companies, developing a range of international award winning pipeline innovative products, heralds a bright future for Irish innovation and entrepreneurship.

Sean expounds: “The exposure of students to international standards in research and development is critical to the establishment of a world class learning and research environment and also performs a most important benchmarking and validation role.

"Many of the International and National

n Centrepiece – Full scale Reconstruction of the Studio of the renowned Engineer and Artist, Leonardo da Vinci demonstrated by Biomedical Engineering Students Ruth Kelly-Walker, Tracy Cotter and Suzanne Malone

Adjudication panels have averred to the integrated multi-disciplinary structure of the CIT projects as a critical element in setting them apart from other innovation research projects. The Engineering of an Innovation Eco-System through the development of Innovative and New Product Development Multi-Disciplinary Engineering/Business Laboratories modules and supporting struc-

learning process The student learning process is enhanced by academic, industrial, peer and public review through formal demonstration and exhibition of the developing solutions.

Industrial professional expertise is har-

n International Innovation Award Winners – CIT’s Dr. Xiao Fang Zhang, European Laureate of Innovation and PhD Student Kieran O’Callaghan, Global Student Entrepreneur Finalist Award and Siemens Engineers Ireland Innovative Student Engineer Award

Continued page 7

Education 5

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Cork Institute of Technology

n Top: 6 Stroke Engine Concept Design by R. Edman 2011 and Left: Presentation to Rian Edman of First Place Babcock Award for Best European Mechanical Engineering Student 2011 by Mike Homer, Managing Director of the Marine and Technology Division of the Babcock International Group, at the European Science Engineering and Technology SET Award Finals in the Millennium Hotel London

Concept 6 Stroke Engine

tures has led to a great flowering of Irish engineering educational achievement and will play a major part in the recovery and future development of a powerful, vibrant, prosperous and ethical knowledge-based Irish economy.”

“I am continuously energized by my students. There is a great life and career enhancement to meeting and engaging with a new cohort of bright young minds every year. This indeed was encapsulated by the proudest moment for me at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards in the Four Season Hotel when Louise Connolly of ESB International was presented with the Chartered Engineer of the Year Award 2011."

Sean had lectured Louise throughout her undergraduate years here in CIT in the early 2,000s and was Louise's final year capstone project supervisor in 2004, when she undertook the design of an autoclave system for Amersham Health.

“Louise greatly impressed me at that time. She was a highly motivated and idealistic student. Louise returned to us recently here in CIT to present on her ESB International work experience to our final year students - we were all impressed with the very significant technical, design, logistical and managerial challenges that Louise had encountered and admirably overcome.

"Louise’s success is doubly significant as she is the first female to have been awarded the coveted accolade of Chartered Engineer of the Year. As the bearer of this most worthy accolade for the year 2011, Louise will be a great ambassador for engineering.”

Louise’s success at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards capstones a year of unprecedented international and national success for CIT Engineering students.

Another first time 2011 international CIT success was the achievement by Final Year CIT Mechanical Engineering student Rian Edman of the First Place Babcock Award for Best European Mechanical Engineering Student at the European Science Engineering and Technology SET Finals in Westminster with students from Cambridge and Heriot Watt Universities occupying the runner finalist positions.

The result of the 2011 European Science Engineering and Technology SET Award Finals Millennium Hotel London was First Place Babcock Award - Best European Mechanical Engineering Student 2011: Rian Edman of Cork Institute of Technology Thermodynamic Analysis, Testing and Evaluation of a Concept 6 Stroke Engine.

The Runners Up Finalists were: Benjamin Lindley of the University of Cambridge Waste incineration in a pressurised water reactor - and Ross Doak of Heriot-Watt University - Design of a spherical mobile robot. self-conceived Rian, from Raleigh, Macroom, Co. Cork, had undertaken a self-conceived and driven project on the topic “Thermodynamic Analysis, Testing and Evaluation of a Concept 6 Stroke Engine”.

This project, arising from a fascination

n (L-R) Ms Elaine Fennessy, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Abbott Ireland, Minister Sean Sherlock TD, Minister for Research & Innovation, Ms. Marlene Clarke CIT, Abbott Intern of the Year 2011, Mr. John Caplice CIT, Abbott Intern of the Year 2011, Dr. Barry O’Connor, Registrar and Vice President for Academic Affairs, CIT.

from an early age with the workings of the internal combustion engine, is indeed a remarkable achievement for an undergraduate student. Rian set out the objective of investigating the feasibility of an alternative configuration of internal combustion engine presenting the possibility of improved thermal efficiency and reduced fuel consumption.

Rian has striven to contribute towards the most worthy goal of developing an efficient and environmentally friendly internal combustion engine by undertaking the concept design analysis of a six stroke reciprocating engine. The development, from first principles, of mathematical models to describe the thermodynamic behaviour of both a conventional engine and the additional strokes of the cycle has been undertaken by Rian. Rian has also undertaken advanced simulation of the modified engine, employing state of the art modeling techniques to predict and validate cycle expansion pressure and developed engine power.

A prototype simulation and test Engine has been selected, procured and modified.

A modified 6 stroke cycle concept design has been devised and 6 stroke mathematical models developed. Six stroke simulation software has been designed and commissioned and the 6 stroke water injection process simulated. designed, developed and commissioned The “Poseidon” Reciprocating Engine Simulation Program, designed, developed and commissioned by Rian, represents a remarkable piece of work for an undergraduate student and has the potential to become a valuable tool for all engine designers. Significant power and fuel efficiency gains and emissions reduction of the modified cycle, determined though the developed engine simulation mathematical models and software, are presented by Rian. Benefits accruing from Rian’s concept design six stroke engine include predicted Continued page 8

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Cork Institute of Technology annual fuel savings of €500 for a typical family car.

Rian’s success in the European Finals was followed by further acclaim when he was was presented with the Oscar Wilde Gold Medal 2011 - Engineering and Mechanical Sciences - Undergraduate Awards of Ireland and Northern Ireland. President Mary McAleese presented Rian with the Oscar Wilde Medal at a prestigious ceremony in Dublin Castle on Friday October 28th. With 2,381 entrants in 2011, the annual Undergraduate Awards of Ireland and Northern Ireland awards programme recognises and encourages academic excellence, independent thinking, and innovation on the island of Ireland and, as of 2011, in the USA also.

Rian’s 2011 Undergraduate Awards success emulates the feats in 2010 of CIT Mechanical Engineering student, William Holland, who was awarded the William Butler Yeats Gold Medal for his capstone self-conceived project on the design and development of an innovative Outsole for the Enhancement of Support and Performance in Sports Footwear.

Intern Bursary Award The success of CIT Engineering students in achieving and excelling in work placement in industry was highlighted when in September 2011 Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Sean Sherlock TD, presented the prestigious Abbott Ireland Intern Bursary Award to two students from Cork Institute of Technology.

John Caplice from Mallow, and Marlene Clarke from Rylane, were chosen from a group of 30 students from third level institutions across Ireland who had undertaken internships with Abbott Ireland and were presented with a €1,000 bursary each.

Patrice Bohan, Senior Talent Acquisition

Recent International Prize-Winners in Engineering Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship Innovative Product Development Laboratories include: l One European Science Engineering and Technology Best European Mechanical Engineering Student First Place Babcock Award - SET Finals London (2011) l One European Laureate of Innovation Award – European Student Innovation Finals - Innovact Reims (2010) l Two Gold Medals Undergraduate Awards of Ireland and Northern Ireland Engineering/Mechanical Sciences (2011, 2010) l Seven First Places and Six Runner Up Finalists in the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Best Medical Engineering and Design and Development of a Biomedical Device Competitions, London (2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005) l One Global Student Entrepreneur Finalist Award sponsored by the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz Financial at the GSEA Finals in Kansas City, Missouri, USA (2009) l One SOFE Paris Second Place Award - Institution of Mechanical Engineers (2009) l One First and One Second Place in the ISEA International Sports Engineering Competition, London l Two Queen’s Silver Jubilee awards for Best Mechanical Engineering Degree Project in Ireland and Britain l One Genius 2000 Award for Best New Invention at the Nuremburg Inventors’ Fair l Two Society of Manufacturing Engineering Outstanding Young Engineer Worldwide Awards l Three First Places for Best Published and Presented Paper at the International Manufacturing Conference.

Recent National Prize-Winners in Engineering Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship Innovative Product Development Laboratories include: l Eight Engineers Ireland Innovative Engineer of the Year Awards (2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003) l Two MEETA Asset Management and Maintenance National Awards (2011, 2006) l Two Abbott Ireland Intern of the Year Awards (2011, 2009) l One Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards - Inaugural “Best in Class” Engineering Education Award (2011) l One Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards - ESB Award for Outstanding Contribution to Engineering (2011) l One Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards - Chartered Engineer of the Year (2011) l Three Cruickshank Most Technologically Innovative Project First Place €7,500 Award (2009, 2008, 2007) l One Inaugural Enterprise Ireland/Invest Northern Ireland Young Entrepreneur of the Year Solving Problems for Industry €7,500 Award (2009) l Four Enterprise Ireland/Invest Northern Ireland Award of Merit €4,000 Award (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007) l Enterprise Ireland/Invest Northern Ireland Young Entrepreneur of the Year First Place €10,000 Award l Three Enterprise Ireland I.Mech.E Speak Out for Engineering Awards l Two HP Invent Awards for Best Science/Engineering/IT project in Ireland l Three William Eccles Institution of Production Engineers National Awards

Manager, Abbott Ireland said that John and Marlene had been selected for the inaugural bursary for: "Exceeding the expectations of their respective roles, and making a strong contribution to Abbott.”

John, who is studying mechanical engineering in CIT, spent six months working with Abbott Ireland’s vascular facility in Clonmel while Marlene, who is studying chemical engineering spent six months in Abbott Ireland’s pharmaceutical facility in Sligo.

n Naval Delegation to CIT Campus: Cdr. Michael Malone, Capt. Robert Scarrot, Lt. John Minehane, Cdt. Marcus Ryan, Lt. David O’Flynn, Lt. Jason Long and Cdr. William Doyle

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Naval Connection The well-developed links between Cork Institute of Technology and the Irish Naval Service are being expanded and fostered.

Both experienced engineering officers and naval cadets are currently undertaking engineering studies at CIT. The increased partnership is exemplified

by Marcus Ryan, an engineering cadet, who is being supported by the Naval Service through the BEng(Hons) programme in Mechanical Engineering at CIT. Marcus is currently in Year 1 of the programme and looks forward to combining his academic studies in CIT with his naval officer training in the Irish Naval base in Haulbowline.

Experienced engineering officers in the Naval Service are also undertaking further studies in Mechanical Engineering to enhance their technical and research skills.

In the current academic year, Lt. John Minehane and Lt. David O’Flynn have come ashore to join with full-time courses in mechanical engineering and from here they plan to progress to research studies at masters degree level.

The Naval Service is to the forefront of innovation in many technologies - an ideal partner for the Institute.

The increased CIT / Naval Service cooperation is further exemplified by the great success of Artificer Colm O’Brien of the Naval Service studying Electronic Engineering at Cork Institute of Technology, Continued page 10

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Cork Institute of Technology

n IPD Laboratories Student Stewards model their especially commissioned "Engineers on the Move" T shirts at the 2011 Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering Exhibition Exhibition Theme "Biomedical Engineering - Engineers of the Future Aiding Mankind" Ireland’s Largest Educational Engineering and Innovation Exhibition with over 180 stands in 2011

whose project on the “Design and Development of an Automated Home/ Office Environment through Intelligent Tags” was adjudged the outright winner of the 2009 Engineers Ireland Innovative Student Award (L7).

First Place The long and distinguished history of CIT Engineering student success in the Engineers Ireland competition (Eight Engineers Ireland Innovative Engineer of the Year First Place Awards 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003) continued in June 2011 with the adjudication of CIT Mechanical Engineering students Daniel Allen, Patrick Byrnes and Richard Childs as First Placed National Winners of the Engineers Ireland Innovative Student Award (L7).

Daniel , Patrick and Richard’s project on

the “Automation of Prosthetic Shoulder Stem Blasting Process” carried out in conjunction with Croom Precision Medical was in November 2011 also adjudged the First Place Outright Winner of MEETA – The Asset Managers Association – National Student Award 2011.

The history of success of CIT Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Students achieving Seven First Places and Six Runner Up Finalists in the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Best Medical Engineering and Design and Development of a Biomedical Device Competitions, London (2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005) continued.

Emulating the 2010 success of CIT Mechanical Engineering Final Year Students, David Kelleher and Ciara McKenna in winning the Vicon and Corin International Medical Engineering Awards - Overall Prize for Best Published and Presented Paper and Best Project involving the Design or

Development of a Medical Device, three CIT Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering students travelled to the 2011 Finals in Westminster, London.

Following short-listing from a large international entry and an exhaustive process of submission investigation, CIT Students Mark Quigley, Padraig Herbert and Gavin O’Sullivan undertook prototype presentation, demonstration and exhibition before a distinguished adjudication panel of internationally renowned Medical Engineering Industrialists and Professors at the 2011 International Medical Engineering Finals a n d E x t r a v a g a n z a i n We s t m i n s t e r, London.

Corin Group Prize for Best Healthcare Technology Project - Joint Second Place Overall and First Placed Undergraduate Student - Mark Quigley - Cork Institute of Technology "Contact Lens Manufacturing Process Optimisation" - Bausch and Lomb.

JRI Prize for Best Medical Engineering Exhibited and Presented Project Joint Second Place Overall and First Placed Undergraduate Student Padraig Herbert Cork Institute of Technology "Dorsiflexion Assistance and Stability Control of the Talocrural Joint in a Subject with Post Polio Syndrome".

JRI Prize for Best Medical Engineering Exhibited and Presented Project Finalist Award - Gavin O’Sullivan – Cork Institute of Technology “Design and Development of a User Friendly, Integrated, Ergonomic Wheelchair Transfer Board”. flowering Sean F. O’Leary attributes the great flowering of CIT student international / national achievement, the 'Best in Class' Engineering Education Award and the Inaugural ESB Engineers Ireland Award for Outstanding Contribution to Engineering to the work of many devoted CIT staff members contributing to the unique Innovation Eco-System at Cork Institute of Technology.

Similarly, the authoring of the major six volume Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards submission would not have been possible without the participation of many supporting academic, innovation and entrepreneurship activities staff.

Particular mention is due to the innovation trailblazers - IPD module developers (Dr. Michael J. O'Mahony, Chris Gibbons) and parallel INPD module developers (Michael P. Walsh, Colm Barry Murphy , Colette Murphy). wise guiding hands

n Pictured at the 23rd Annual International Medical Engineering Finals Westminster London 2011 CIT Mechanical and Biomedical Students Mark Quigley, Padraig Herbert and Gavin O’Sullivan

The wise guiding hands of Heads of School / Department Matt Cotterel, Daithi Fallon, Brian McGrath, Ger O'Donovan were never far from the tiller.

Many thanks to all in the Development Office and in particular to Glynis Dennehy, Josette O'Mullane and Carole O'Leary,

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Cork Institute of Technology

n Engineers Ireland Inaugural “Best in Class” Engineering Education Award Winner 2011 IPD Laboratories Development Team of Cork Institute of Technology Michael Walsh, Daithi Fallon, Matt Cotterell, Sean F. O’Leary, Chris Gibbons, Michael J. O’Mahony.

whose many innovation initiatives are hugely beneficial to our students. Brian Cliffe has also contributed greatly.

Kieran Moynihan, CIT Entrepreneur in Residence, has proven a great source of inspiration and wise counsel to the students, selflessly making himself available to advise and enthuse our budding innovators.

Joe Kelleher's great depth of experience and inspirational practical enthusiasm is greatly appreciated by both innovation students and lecturers.

Paul Healy, Manager, Rubicon Centre, has contributed hugely by facilitating and encouraging all academic innovation initiatives - not least being the new Rubicon

Student Internship Programmes. The MEDIC and Nimbus Centres student friendly ethos has also aided hugely.

Special thanks to the many international and national student award winners, whose featured achievements have been crucial in the short-listing of the CIT submission and in particular Dr. Xiao Fang Zhang, Kieran O'Callaghan and Myles Murray, who have given selflessly of their time on many occasions over the years to inspirationally present to the annual new cohort of IPD students.

Thanks to all who have contributed to the short-listing of CIT Innovative Product Development Laboratories submission

"Engineering an Innovation Eco-System" for the "Best in Class" Engineering Education 2011 Award - Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards.

Sean dedicates his award and inspiration to his wife, Mary, his four young sons Eoghan, Rory, Conor and Tomás and his community in Ballinspittle: “My work nationally and internationally has required me to travel away from home for extended periods and has also required many very early mornings and many very late nights at work in CIT. None of this would have been possible without the great support of Mary and our great neighbours in Ballinspittle”.

Designing the future...

n SafetyPotTM Child Proof Cook Friendly Secure Saucepan Lid Design and Development by 2011 IPD Laboratories Multidiscipline Team Daniel Collins, David Irwin, Maria O’Shea, Olivia Tobin, Damien O’Hea and Paul O’Sullivan of Cork Institute of Technology

n SOSairTM Emergency Breathing Aid Design and Development by 2011 Multidiscipline Start-up Innovation Team: Robin Holbein, Jamie Hodnett, Isabel Rossiter, Brendan Weathers and Hugh Byrne of Cork Institute of Technology

Education 11

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St. Nicholas College

Leaders in montessori teacher education

A

mong the many institutes in Ireland offering teacher education, St. Nicholas College in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin provides degree programmes in this discipline. From Pestalozzi to Dewey’s progressive education, the Montessori Method has stood the test of time and is being used today in schools all over the world.

Dr. Maria Montessori, at the beginning of the twentieth century, based her childcentred on careful observation of what children revealed about their developmental needs. However, Montessori education in Ireland is synonymous with the preschool sector and it is important to dispel this misconception. Throughout Europe and the United States, the Montessori Method of Education is utilized both at Primary and Secondary level.

Today, as it was a century ago, education is rightly seen as a means to tackle poverty, inequality, anti-social behaviour and other ills of society. The fundamental problem with education is the lack of faith in the child to guide his/her own development and to guide the educators in supporting this task. Montessori Education worldwide shows that the child is best supported in an learning environment which meets all his/ her needs in order to become a valued member of his/her society.

Teacher's Role The teacher's role in the Montessori classroom is to observe children engaged in activities that follow their own natural interests. This indirect teaching to control the environment, not the child, contrasts sharply with the ordinary teacher's role of implementing a pre-determined curriculum.

For example, a Montessori class has the teacher resolving misbehavior by refocusing the child to some positive activity, freely chosen rather than engaging in the system of rewards and punishments.

Children learn from each other in a spontaneous manner that supports their

independent self-directed activity. In the family, in the workplace and society as a whole we are in constant interaction with those who are older or younger. Children in traditional schools are the only members of society segregated by age. A mixed-aged environment is an important feature of Montessori Education. Since the children need different environments at different stages in their development, classes are mixed within bands, for example, 3-6 yrs, 6-9yrs and 9-12yrs.

Each child is surrounded by role models a little more developed than him/her or becomes a role model for younger peers.

Similarly, the older child finds him/herself in a position of responsibility, and by showing younger children what s/he knows, affirms to him/herself, more surely than any test, the extent of his/her learning.

Co-operation replaces competition as the driving force within these mini-societies.

The auto-education facilitated by the prepared environment learning means that each child is always successful learning and developing at his/her own pace.

Degree programmes St. Nicholas Montessori College Ireland (SNMCI) offers the student the possibility of obtaining this degree either full-time or part time (ACCS mode). The degree programmes – (levels 7 & 8) and the Higher Diploma in Arts in Early Childhood Montessori Education (level 8) are accredited by The Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) which is the qualifications awarding body for third level education and training institutes outside the university sector.

Stage 1 of the programme delivers the pre-school curriculum to students and requires them to have an internship of 200

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hours teaching practice in Montessori preschools. Stage 2 is the 6-9 curriculum and the students have a block of 6 weeks in Primary schools or Special Education schools. The college has an Erasmus exchange with the Hogeschool in Rotterdam and 4 lucky Stage 2 students will spend from February to May attending college and complete the required teaching practice there.

Stage 3 requires the student to study the requirements for teaching children from 9-12 years which requires the student to teach for at least 6 weeks in the Primary sector, Montessori sector or Special Education schools. Throughout the four

years of study, all students become competent in implementing all aspects of the Primary School Curriculum 1999 utilising in particular the Montessori Method of Education to facilitate each child’s learning.

Students who have met the learning outcomes of the programme will be conferred with a level 7 degree and those who receive a merit grade will be interviewed and present their lesson plans portfolio for entry onto the level 8 programme.

However, in November 2009 the Teaching Council announced that only those with level 8 qualifications will be eligible to register as Montessori Teachers

from April 1st 2013. (Montessori Teachers are entitled to register for Restricted Recognition, as per DES Special Education circulars 25/00 and 36/06)) The College is now in the process of submitting a new suite of programmes for HETAC validation.

These will hopefully commence in September 2011.

Accordingly, the college recognises the need to differentiate its product and is also designing a level 6 Higher Certificate in the Montessori Method of Education for those wishing to obtain a qualification to teach in the pre-school sector only.

The College welcomes requests for further clarification – email info@snmci.ie.

Courses:

BA in Montessori Education (Level 7) BA in Montessori Education (Level 8) Higher Diploma in Montessori Education (Level 8)

Go to www.snmci.ie Call 01-2806064 / 01-2300080 email: info@snmci.ie or visit us at 16 Adelaide Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin or Century Court, 100 George's Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin Education 13

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i-to-i TEFL

South Korea: a paid adventure teaching English Seoul. She teaches young students English and in return the school provides her with a competitive monthly salary and free accommodation.

So far, in her spare time the County Waterford native has attended the World DJ Festival, Busan Sandcastle Festival, shopped ‘til she dropped, been introduced to Korean sauna’s and most recently has been stuck in the middle of the Boryeong Mud Festival where she met lots of other travellers enjoying the unique cultural event.

Fiona explains ‘In the mud area, there were bouncy slides, a pool and obstacle courses – so we dove right in! We were covered! Since the festival was beside the sea, we cleaned off every so often.’ n Fiona with star pupil Harry

J

ust five short months ago Fiona McCullagh from Abbeyside, Dungarvan arrived in South Korea to start the adventure of a lifetime.

Having graduated from DCU in 2010, she decided to spend a year working and travelling abroad. Accompanied by two friends, each month abroad offers new and unique experiences for the 23 year old.

Fiona’s 12 month contract sees her based in Uiwang, south of the Korean capital,

n Fiona’s crazy Mud Festival Adventure

interactive methods and games Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) uses lots of fun and interactive methods and games. Fiona’s outgoing personality is well suited to the world of TEFL and she also takes part in extra curricular school activities. This month she was involved in a Friday night sleep over camp for the kindergarten kids.

As part of her 12 month contract, Fiona is entitled to a summer vacation break so she chose to jet off to the famous Jeju

n Sea View from Jeju Island

Island with friends. ‘First we went to the waterfalls which were so beautiful, we went swimming in a river where local families were hanging out and then we went to the beach.’

Continuing with her island escape, the friends then visited to Yakcheongsa Temple and enjoyed freshly caught squid from some locals down on the pier, washed down by the native drink soju.

After a week of travel, hiking, eating and adventure, Fiona summed it up by saying ‘Jeju was a brilliant holiday, I saw as much of the island as possible, experienced Korean life and met a lot of really nice, friendly people, We will soon be having a reunion in Seoul with those from Jeju – I can’t wait!’

Fiona obtained her job through i-to-i TEFL who also provided the training course that she needed to secure her job. No teaching experience was necessary. Courses are run nationwide and start from €269.

If you think you’ve enough energy to become a TEFL teacher speak to an i-to-i Advisor about teaching English abroad call 01 5269506 quoting ‘Ed Mag’ or visit www.teflcourses.com.

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

14 Education

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EMT – EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN As an EMT you will train at the highest level currently available in Ireland. Learn professional life saving medical skills and interventions that really make a difference.....

Other courses available at responder level include: CFR- Cardiac First Responder OFA- Occupational First Aid EFR- Emergency First Responder

Emergency Services Training Institute is an Irish Owned company and is recognised by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC). We specialise in emergency medical training, utilising Paramedic and Advance Paramedic tutors and instructors.

All our training, equipment and facilities are of the highest of standards.

CONTACT US: C21 The Exchange, Calmount Park, Ballymount, Dublin 12.

E-mail: info@esti.ie • Tel: + 353 (0)1 409 8113 • Web: www.esti.ie

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Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)

First steps to success in GMIT

T

HE Hotel School in GMIT is a leading provider of Hotel, Tourism and Culinary Arts programmes in Ireland. Students on all programmes are encouraged to develop their skills and confidence by entering competitions and volunteering and fundraising for local charities. Highlights from 2011 included: CULINARY SUCCESS AT CATEX: GMIT Hotel School students won 24 medals - eight gold, eight silver and eight bronze medals, in the national Panel of Chefs CATEX Competition in February. Two GMIT students, Kevin Ward and Avril O'Connor, scooped the overall Grand Prix award in the competition’s Pastry Challenge and will represent Ireland in the world confectionary competition in Paris next April (2012).

MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE: A group of GMIT students from the Trainee Management Development Programme (TMDP) won the 2011 IHI National Business Management Game in March. The students, who work in the hospitality industry and attend the Hotel School for a block study period each academic year, scored top marks in the competition that attracted 11 teams representing young hospitality managers from all over Ireland.

BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS AT FOOD INNOVATION AWARDS: The inaugural National Third Level Student Food Innovation Awards competition, sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, was held in the Hotel School at GMIT on Wed June 1st. The Entrepreneurial Award went to the ‘Just Dippers’ product that was developed by Rachel Lynch and Lisa Ryan of the Hotel School GMIT.

FIND OUT MORE Read more about GMIT Hotel School programmes on www.gmit.ie/thehotelschool

Jump start your career with a qualification from the Hotel School GMIT, and travel the world The Hotel School at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) invites you to consider the world of hotels, restaurants, bars, events, retail and tourism.

Programmes available in: Ìi Ê > >}i i ÌÊÊUÊÊ Ûi ÌÊ > >}i i ÌÊEÊ*,ÊÊUÊÊ Õ >ÀÞÊ ÀÌà / ÕÀ à ÊÊUÊÊ Ã« Ì> ÌÞÊ-ÌÕ` iÃÊÊUÊÊ >ÀÊ-Õ«iÀÛ Ã Ê ,iÌ> ÊEÊ ÕÃÌ iÀÊ-iÀÛ ViÊÊUÊÊ,iÃÌ>ÕÀ> ÌÊEÊ >ÀÊ > >}i i Ì

For further information visit www.gmit.ie/thehotelschool Hotel School, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Dublin Road, Galway.

Tel: 091 742343

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01/12/2011 14:59:00 06/12/2011 11:49:30

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Education 19

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Epson Ad 24-4.indd 1

01/12/2011 15:04:10

Classroom Technology

Can new technology change the classroom for the better?

T

ECHNOLOGY may not be necessary for teaching. Possibly our greatest skill, that of language, is learned originally without the help of technology.

After that, however, technology has always played a part in imparting information to the next generation. Books, pencils and pens, blackboard and chalk, and even the humble desk, have all been features of education down the years.

But can modern information technology (IT) transform teaching as some of it supporters believe it can, or will IT be clutter, a diversion away from the fundamentals of the classroom?

The jury is out. And the reason for that is that we are in the middle of a revolution in schools and colleges. A crest of innovation is hitting the classroom, from projectors to handheld devices, to allow students to participate in learning. Tablet computers are now realistic alternatives to books and with their adoption comes an enormous choice in software.

PROJECTS AND PROJECTORS The most common introduction of technology into the classroom is the use of projectors and interactive whiteboards.

Projectors simply allow a computer screen to be displayed on a whiteboard or wall in the classroom and thus opens up all the resources offered by laptops into the teaching realm. This allows flexibility as teachers can switch on and off

the computer as required.

Interactive whiteboards use a similar technology but integrate a touch-sensitive screen to allow students to interact with the software.

The upside of these developments is that they open teaching up to the power of graphical information, whether video, slideshows or dedicated software. In this, they are simply keeping up with the technology most students have in their own homes.

The downside is that some teachers find the technology intrusive and the software resources inadequate or inappropriate for their needs.

However, as noted before, these projectors are only now reaching adoption throughout education and a great deal has been learned about how to use them to support, rather than replace, classroom teaching.

It is likely that projectors and interactive whiteboards will have to be accepted as basic classroom facilities by the powers that be and that teacher training and

the curriculum will need to be integrated with these developments.

CLASSROOM IN HAND The next widespread development in teaching technology is likely to be the arrival of tablet computers such as iPads.

Even at a price range of î Ľ500, the economic case for tablets is good. They may replace school books and indeed copy books. Networked tablets in the classroom may even replace the projector as it allows students to interact directly.

Again, we are just at the beginning of the adoption of tablets and there is a huge learning curve ahead.

In the meantime, schools and colleges need to accept that technology will play a greater role in their work. But what is really important is that education should mould the technology rather than the other way round. The relationship between teacher and student is still critical to outcomes and technology need not get in the way.

EDUCATION 21

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Classroom technology

Epson makes high-quality education projectors affordable Short-throw range has smart features and a low TCO

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esponding to demand for highquality equipment for schools on a budget, Epson announces its affordable short-throw projector range: EB-435W, EB-425W, EB-430 and EB-420. The projectors can be mounted 72cm from the screen for a high-quality, 178cm picture with fewer shadows, making them the perfect partners for schools’ existing interactive whiteboards.

Powered by 3LCD technology, the shortthrow range achieves accurate colour reproduction, important in education for natural-looking flags, maps and diagrams.

A high White and Colour Light Output of up to 3,000 lumens assures a clear picture, even in daylight, while a contrast ratio of 3,000:1 delivers sharp detail. captivate the class Teachers can captivate the class by showing 3D objects close-up with the optional Epson ELP-DC06 USB document camera, or create engaging interactive presentations by connecting the optional Epson ELP-IU03 interactive module. Offering an alternative to interactive whiteboards, the module works with the projector to make any surface interactive, and comes with a digital pen for creating and saving notes.

Katrina Timmis, Channel Manager, Epson Ireland said: “Our short-throw range

achieves the perfect balance between highquality and affordability. The projectors have a low total cost of ownership, with a long-life lamp and filter, yet there’s no compromise on picture quality. Plus, we’ve included a whole host of smart features for the classroom, such as a microphone input and a built-in 16W speaker.”

Simple to set up and use, the short-throw range has 3-in-1 USB display, so one cable is all that’s needed for visuals, audio and mouse control. Aligning the picture takes just seconds with the vertical and horizontal keystone correction, which is unique to

Epson in the short-throw category.

The projectors can be conveniently controlled from a wall-mounted box at the front of the classroom when connected to Epson’s optional ELPCB01 Control and Connection Box. Schools can make significant savings thanks to the short-throw range’s low total cost of ownership. The Epson E-TORL lamp produces more light using less energy, and lasts 6,000 hours in eco mode.

The filter also has a long life of 5,000 hours for years of trouble-free operation.

Further reducing costs and maintenance

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time, the projectors can be connected to a network to enable remote control and monitoring of lamp life, temperature and more.

The EB-435W, EB-425W, EB-430 and EB-420 will be available from November 2011, with prices starting at â‚Ź813 excluding VAT.

Key features

About Epson Epson is a global imaging and innovation leader that is dedicated to exceeding the vision of customers worldwide through its compact, energy-saving, high-precision technologies, with a product line-up ranging from printers and 3LCD projectors for

business and the home, to electronic and crystal devices. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises over 75,000 employees in 100 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and the communities in which it operates. http://global.epson.comÂ

EB-435W EB-425W EB-430 EB-420

Optional Wi-Fi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

WXGA resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

3,000:1 contrast ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

2,500 2,500 3,000 lumens White and Colour Light Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X lumens

X lumens Direct connection for Epson ELP-DC06 USB document camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X X X X

HDMI input for high-definition content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

Built-in 16W speaker and microphone input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

Compatible with Epson ELP-IU03 interactive module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

3-in-1 USB display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

Vertical and horizontal keystone correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

E-TORL lamp lasts 6,000 hours (eco mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

Direct power on/off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

Compatible with Epson ELPCB01 Control and Connection Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

Filter lasts 5,000 hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

Remote monitoring and control from a single point on a network . . . . . . . . . . . X

X

X

X

Three-year projector warranty & three-year unlimited lamp warranty (education only) X

X

X

X

Education 23

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05/12/2011 11:43:41

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Audio Visual Technology

Keeping modern young minds actively interested Interview with David Daniels – Westcoast AV What can AV technology bring to the classroom experience for teachers and students?

Audio Visual technologies have, over many years provided a very focussed and visual experience to the classroom environment creating a greater level of interest from all involved.

From the early development of the original Overhead Projectors to Digital Projectors offering a full interactive experience; The technology has leaped forward in a bid to keep modern young minds actively interested in lesson topics and subject matters.

How can AV technology assist the teacher in their role?

The technology behind Audio Visual applications within the classroom is simply a tool for the teacher to use to their advantage.

It cannot replace the experience and knowledge of one of the most important professions in the employment market. It can of course drive the teachers own imagination to find ways to enhance the learning experience.

Is the curriculum designed sufficiently with the technology in mind?

Most likely not. But this does not stop individuals creating and using the technology to their advantage. The increase of 3D projection technology is a great way of

getting young minds to think in a different dimension when creating hand crafted items.

For example, if a class is shown an image of a plant cell in 3D and asked to create their own; they will far exceed the creativity of those created in a classroom where the image was shown in 2D. Pupils who are shown an image in 3D adopt a more creative imaginative approach!

Is there software available to complement the curriculum?

There are many different pieces of classroom software available. It only takes a small amount of research online to find a plethora of available solutions.

What is the evidence that AV technology can enhance education standards?

If technology is used in a more projectbased environment where teachers facilitate the information in creative ways, this will result in a more comprehensive curriculum, and enhanced learning.

Is teacher training necessary for technology like interactive whiteboards?

Not always necessary, but always very useful. However, solutions like the Panasonic interactive whiteboard offering are actually a lot easier to pick up and use without major training scenarios.

Training is available online which can help to learn certain aspects of the software, but the technology is actually very simple. Grabbing the opportunity to just have a go is often the easiest and most effective way to learn as it won’t take long to get used to.

How can AV technologies integrate with modern groupbased teaching environments as opposed to the old lecture model?

Projection technology allows very large screen solutions to

lecture theatre/hall scenarios. Utilising equipment such as a visualiser product to share physical items and documents is a simple and effective solution for this environment.

The added use of such products as a pen based tablet would allow interactivity to the large projection screen. There are many solutions out there – simply ask the question and it is very likely we can supply a solution.

Is the technology affordable for schools?

All manufacturers and suppliers continue to work with pricing structures to make the products in question available within the best price point possible.

Again – this always depends on the brand/technology in question, but there is always a solution available.

What back-up and service facilities are available in the event of breakdowns?

All AV hardware is covered under a warranty. First point of call is usually the point of purchase. If they are authorised, they can repair/maintain. Typically this would usually be passed back to the manufacturer in question.

Most equipment is relatively robust these days and is designed for a variation of environments.

How long will equipment last before replacement?

This all depends on the equipment in question. All hardware has a life span. 3-5 years would be a sensible suggestion for refresh depending on the technology.

Education 25

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IT Carlow CAO Courses for September 2012 Honours Bachelor Degrees - Level 8 (HD) Code Title - Honours Bachelor Degrees - Level 8 (HD) CW 108 Biosciences with Bioforensics or Biopharmaceuticals CW 168 Environmental Science CW 178 Sport Science CW 188 Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy CW 208 Computer Games Development CW 238 Software Development CW 248 Computer Systems Management CW 438 Construction - Quantity Surveying CW 448 Construction - Facilities and Energy Management CW 468 Architectural Technology CW 548 Mechanical Engineering CW 558 Electronic Systems CW 708 Law CW 728 Product Design Innovation CW 748 Early Childhood Education and Care CW 758 Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care) CW 768 Social and Community Studies CW 808 Media and Public Relations CW 838 Business - Marketing CW 858 Sport Management & Coaching (Options: GAA, Rugby, Soccer) Portfolio Required CW 908 Business CW 928 Business - Human Resource Management CW 938 Business with Law CW 948 Accounting WEXFORD CAMPUS Code Title - Honours Bachelor Degrees - Level 8 CW 018 Business CW 028 Early Childhood Education and Care CW 038 Art CW 058 Sustainable Architectural Technology CW 068 Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care) CW 088 Visual Communications and Design

Portfolio Required

www.itcarlow.ie

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Ordinary Bachelor Degrees - Level 7 (DG) Higher Certificates - Level 6 (HC) Code CW 107 CW 117 CW 207 CW 217 CW 407 CW 417 CW 427 CW 507 CW 517 CW 527 CW 547 CW 707 CW 717 CW 807 CW 817 CW 827 CW 917

Title - Ordinary Bachelor Degrees - Level 7 Analytical and Forensic Science Biosciences Software Development Computer Systems Management Architectural Technology Construction - Buildings and Services Management Civil Engineering Aircraft Systems Mechanical Engineering Electronic Engineering TV and Media Production Design in Industrial Design Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care) Sport and Exercise (GAA) Portfolio Required Sport and Exercise (Rugby) Portfolio Required Sport and Exercise (Soccer) Portfolio Required Business

Qualification DG + HD DG + HD DG + HD DG + HD DG + HD DG + HD DG + HD DG DG + HD DG + HD DG DG + HD DG + HD DG + HD DG + HD DG + HD DG + HD

Code CW 106 CW 116 CW 126 CW 206 CW 406 CW 416 CW 706 CW 906 CW 916 CW 926 CW 936

Title - Higher Certificates - Level 6 Physiology and Health Science Pharmacy Technician Studies Science - Applied Biology or Applied Chemistry Computing - (Options: Applications, Commercial Programming, Networking) Civil Engineering Construction Legal Studies Business Studies Business - Office Management Business with Law Accounting

Qualification HC + HD HC HC + DG + HD HC + DG + HD HC + DG + HD HC + DG + HD HC + HD HC + DG + HD HC + DG + HD HC + DG + HD HC + HD

WEXFORD CAMPUS Code Title - Ordinary Bachelor Degrees - Level 7 Qualification CW 007 Architectural Technology DG + HD CW 017 Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care) DG + HD CW 037 Business DG + HD CW 057 Art Portfolio Required DG + HD Code Title - Higher Certificates - Level 6 CW 006 Business Studies CW 016 Business – Office Management

Qualification HC + DG + HD HC + DG + HD

05/12/2011 15:16:00

Institute of Technology Carlow

€35m building programme underpins IT Carlow’s drive towards South East Technological University

T

he Institute of Technology Carlow’s course provision, CAO applications, student numbers and international collaborations have been increasing year on year. The rapid pace of increased demand is more than matched by the momentum of investment in the Institute’s accelerated capital development programme.

The drive for consistent and prolonged improvement in facilities and academic standards provides a strong platform for many advancements still to come, with the aim of meeting the Programme for Government’s stated objective of a multicampus Technological University of the South East. The Institute is currently at the master planning stage for the development of its new South Campus of 40 acres which was acquired at the end of 2010 multi-campus University M r P h i l H o g a n TD M i n i s t e r f o r Environment, Community and Local Government, presented awards at the ITC Conferring of Awards 2011. In his address to IT Carlow’s graduates, Minister Hogan voiced praise for the contribution that the Institute has made to the economic, social and cultural development of the region.

Minister Hogan outlined his vision and support for the Programme for Government’s commitment to creating a multi-campus University in the South East.

"A multi-campus University that must be

for all in the South East and based upon a joint ownership model which ensures equality and inclusiveness, and focussed on economic recovery and sustainable economic development for the region," said Minister Hogan.

In embracing a vision of higher education for the South-East that incorporates the highest possible academic standards, as well as the technology and facilities to give students that vital hands-on experience in their chosen field, the campus has blossomed into a state-of-the-art centre of learning for its 5,000 students.

Student Services Centre The latest addition to the suite of developments was completed in November 2011 with the opening of a new 5,000m² Student Services Centre (pictured above) designed to enhance the students’ experience and wellbeing while studying at IT Carlow. The new building includes: • Medical Centre • Elite sports and conditioning laboratory • 30,000 ft² recreational gym • 10,000 ft² Student Union Lounge and Recreation Area • Cafe and Deli facilities • Health and Welfare Centre • Sports analysis facilities • 60,000ft² Sports Hall with bleacher seating • Activity Rooms (incl. spinning) • Steam room & sauna facilities • Integrated range of Student Services The Student Services Centre also serves an additional purpose. For the first time, all the vital student services are now located in one easy-to-find, one-stop-shop, strengthening the Institute’s stated commitment to its focus on student health and wellbeing in a supportive environment.

Facilities housed here now include the

Health Centre, Access Service, Accommodation Office, Careers Service, Counselling Service. best sports facilities IT Carlow now has some of the best sports facilities for students in Ireland, to reflect its unique BA Degrees in Sport in GAA, Rugby and Soccer, as well as its new BA Honours Degree in Sports Management and Coaching, which will commence in September 2012. A new FIFA certified allweather pitch with flood-lighting has also been completed. This completes a full range of playing pitches which includes full size sand based flood lit pitches for GAA & Rugby and four all weather 5/7 a-side astroturf pitches. A six lane 150m sprint track is under development.

Find OUT MORE Institute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.

Tel: 059 91 75000 www.itcarlow.ie

Education 27

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BALLYHAISE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE CO CAVAN COURSES ON OFFER:

Open Day: and Wed 25 April 2012

• Vocational Certificate in Agriculture (FETAC Level 5 and 6) • Vocational Certificate in Forestry (FETAC Level 5 and 6) • HETAC Higher Certificate in Agriculture in conjunction with DKIT • B.Sc in Sustainable Agriculture (Level 8) (Hons) in conjunction with DKIT • Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management For further information please contact:

College Principal - Tel. No. (049) 4338108 e-Mail: ballyhaise.college@teagasc.ie

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Avon Ri

Primary & secondary school tours at Avon Ri Adventure Centre

We have an exciting selection of activities available here on the shores of the Blessington Lake.

With over 20 years experience working with school groups, colleges and transition year programmes we can offer a wide

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:

Health Care Education Foreign Missions Parish Ministry

range of activities such as multi activity programs, team building , courses and specially designed programs to cater for your school.

Activities can include, Kayaking, Canadian Canoeing, Archery, Climbing Wall, Team Tasks, Low ropes Course, Zipline, mountain biking, Orienteering and 5 a side.

Discounted prices for schools from January – April 2012 Find OUT MORE Call us on 045-900670 ext 3 for more information or bookings.

Email: blessingtonteamup@gmail.com www.avonri.com

Write to: Franciscan Convent ,Ballinderry, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

Tel: 044-9352300

Education 29

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06/12/2011 13:44:13

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Institute of Technology Tralee

Education, Enterprise and Research

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he Institute of Technology Tralee is a modern, dynamic college, which prides itself on the quality of its academic programmes and the applied nature of its research.

The Institute is dedicated to providing a world class education for its students. IT, Tralee offers students a wide range of courses within a vibrant learning environment with superb facilities and services. The Institute has a reputation for friendliness and academic achievement and hosts a significant international student population, representing more than sixty different nationalities, which is supported by a dedicated international office.

Range of Programmes The Institute offers an impressive range of internationally recognised programmes at Honours Bachelor Degree, Bachelor Degree and Higher Certificate Level in the following areas: • Creative Media & Information Technology • Business Studies • Humanities & Social Sciences • Hotel Culinary & Tourism • Agricultural & Manufacturing Engineering • Civil Engineering & Construction • Renewable Energy & Energy Management • Computing & Mathematics • Biological & Pharmaceutical Science • Health & Leisure Studies • Nursing & Health Care Studies Research Research programmes are organised within a number of research centres including: • Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre • Centre for Geometric Optics

n Chef Students

n Maria Attard, Ciaran Tyther and Shane Sweeney, all 3rd year Wildlife Biology students undertaking a Marine Science field trip on the RV Celtic Voyager. Photo By: Domnick Walsh / Eye Focus LTD

• Centre for Innovation in Distributed Systems • Centre for Intelligent Mechatronic and Sensor Systems • Centre for Entrepreneurship • Centre for Tourism & Hospitality Studies The Institute shares its campus with Kerry Technology Park. A seamless and symbiotic relationship has evolved between academia and the generation of knowledge economy entrepreneurs that have established new businesses in the Park. Academic staff and students work on real-time business and technical projects for the entrepreneur and they in turn input to the Institute programmes.

Young Entrepreneur Programme The Institute of Technology Tralee was one of the founding partners of the Young Entrepreneur Programme which is dedicated to illustrating the validity of entrepreneurship as a natural career choice.

Its stated mission is to help identify, inform, recognise and celebrate Kerry's next generation of business leaders by fostering student entrepreneurship through a comprehensive training course, interaction with entrepreneurs, mentoring and a business plan competition.

The Young Entrepreneur Programme is aimed at 15 – 23 year olds in Kerry’s second and third level institutions and has gained an exceptionally high level of both business

and media support for its unique and positive approach.

CARA Centre IT, Tralee is also host to the CARA Centre for Adapted Physical Activity, a national resource centre to lead, coordinate and support the development of sport, physical activity and physical education for people with disabilities. Following a successful bid to the European Federation of Adapted Physical Activity, the Institute, in conjunction with CARA and the Irish Sports Council, will host the European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity (EUCAPA) 2012 with over 400 national and international delegates expected to attend. The focus of the conference will be the presentation of research and case studies which can inform day to day practice in relation to the inclusion and empowerment of people with disabilities.

Lifelong Learning The Institute also offers an extensive range of programmes in the continuing and professional development arena and work closely with a number of companies in the region in upskilling and reskilling initiatives.

Find OUT MORE Further information on IT, Tralee is available on their website at www.ittralee.ie Education 31

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OPEN DAY:

Wednesday January 25th 2012 4.30pm-8.30pm

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01/12/2011 17:11:48

UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems

Studying Nursing/Midwifery at University College Dublin

I

f you would like a rewarding, challenging and respected career, then nursing and midwifery are well worth considering.

These professions offer great career and travel opportunities.

• Nursing and midwifery provide longterm, sustainable career opportunities.

• You will become a professional clinician capable of integrating scientific and technical knowledge with the art of caring.

• You will directly influence the health and well-being of other people – nurses and midwives make a difference!

• You will never stop learning- about health, about illness, about people and the world we live in – nurses continually engage in on-going professional education and UCD provides a wide range of postgraduate opportunities to suit your personal and professional needs throughout your career.

• You will rarely have two days that are the same – nursing and midwifery are dynamic professions and offer enormous variety and challenge.

• Although many qualified nurses and midwives work in hospitals, they can also work in a variety of settings, including community settings, e.g. as a Public Health Nurse, mental health services, management and administration, policy making, teaching and research.

WHY UCD NURSING & MIDWIFERY? Developments in healthcare are transforming the roles of nurses and midwives, leading to new and exciting career opportunities.

The UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems has developed innovative programmes to prepare our graduates to respond to these changes and to meet changing patient-care needs.

You will study in state-of-the-art facilities, including a top class clinical skills centre with interactive video equipment; you will be guided by academics that are experts in Find OUT MORE Find out more at: www.my ucd.ie

their field, and you will gain clinical experience at our renowned clinical partner sites.

By choosing to study with us, you

become part of a greater community of people working together to shape the future of nursing and midwifery in Ireland and abroad.

UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems Are you looking for a rewarding, challenging and respected career?

If so, then a career in Nursing or Midwifery is the right career for you..

The UCD School of Nursing and Midwifery is Ireland’s leading University School of Nursing and Midwifery and we offer a choice of 4 major programmes in: • General Nursing • Children’s and General Nursing(Integrated)

• Psychiatric Nursing • Midwifery.

The School is located in the state of the art Health Sciences Centre on the Belfield campus which includes a top class clinical skills centre. As a UCD student nurse or midwife you will have a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on clinical practice in one of our partner hospitals: • Mater Misericordiae University Hospital • St Michael’s Hospital • St John of God Hospital

• St Vincent’s University Hospital • Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital • National Maternity Hospital

These hospitals are centres of clinical excellence and will provide you with a variety of unrivalled clinical learning opportunities and experiences.

International study opportunities: You can also participate in the Erasmus Exchange programme and spend 12 weeks in another European country as part of your degree at UCD. There are excellent work and travel opportunities available in Ireland and throughout Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Once qualified, you can also avail of a large range of further study opportunities provided by our graduate programmes.

For further information please see our website at:

www.ucd.ie/nmhs

Telephone: 7166407/7166488 • e-mail:nursing.midwifery@ucd.ie Education 33

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UCC Arts 24-4.indd 2

05/12/2011 11:17:07

College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, UCC

Eight undergraduate degrees to choose from

T

he College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences is the biggest of the four Colleges that make up University College Cork with approximately one third of the student body registered for degrees in this College.

We currently offer eight, honours (level 8) undergraduate degree programmes with application through the CAO. In addition, some degree programmes offer a number of pathways after first year, so, all in all, there is something here for everyone.

BA Degree The BA Degree (CK101) is our most popular degree with students registering, in first year, for four subjects from the 27 on offer. Students then continue with two of the four subjects for second and third year. Students who choose French, German, Italian, Spanish or Chinese Studies have the option of extending their degree by a year and spending third year studying at a University in the country of their chosen language.

BSocSc Degree The BSocSc Degree (CK102) helps student develop critical perspectives on issues such as community development, young people and youth culture, social exclusion, social justice, human rights and poverty, to name but a few. As part of this degree, students conduct field visits and placements in a variety of settings and agencies.

BA Applied Psychology Psychological aspects of behaviour, abnormal psychology, criminality, forensic psychology and methods of investigation are just some of the topics studied by students on the BA in Applied Psychology (CK106). Graduates go on to further study to become Psychologists in a variety of fields.

BA Early Years and Childhood Studies The BA in Early Years and Childhood Studies (CK111) allows students to examine early years and childhood from the perspective of neuroscientists, sociologists, social policy makers, psychologists and educationalists. Students undertake supervised placements in second and third year of this three year degree.

BMus/BA Arts-Music BA Drama and Theatre Studies Acclaimed for the diversity of its course content, which includes the study of classical music, popular music, Irish traditional music and world music, the Department of Music offers two different degrees: the BMus (CK103) and the BA Arts-Music (CK104). The four-year BMus allows students to concentrate solely on Music while on the three-year BA Arts-Music students study Music with an Arts subject.

The BA in Drama and Theatre Studies (CK112) is a challenging, exciting and experiential degree where practice, analysis and theory are closely intertwined. This degree allows students an optional year studying at a university abroad. The creative and critical skills developed on this degree are vital for students looking for a career in any aspect of theatre.

BEd Sports Studies and Physical Education Graduates of the BEd Sports Studies and Physical Education degree are qualified secondary school teachers of PE and another subject. In addition they are qualified coaches for schools and clubs. Health, nutrition, exercise science, movement analysis and classroom management are just some of the topics studied in a theoretical and practical way with students undertaking several placements throughout this four year degree.

Careers Our BA graduates take the transferrable skills, academic results, flexibility and creativity gained from an Arts degree and use them to start their careers. A sample of UCC graduates include Michael Martin, TD, leader of Fianna Fail; Mary Hickson, CEO, Cork Opera House; Colette Kelleher, Chief Executive COPE; Mary McCarthy, Director National Sculpture Factory; Stevie G, DJ Red FM. Find OUT MORE College of Arts Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, UCC Email:Arts@ucc.ie Webpage: www.ucc.ie/en/cacsss/ Tel 021-4902773/4902361 Education 35

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Vincentian Lay Missionaries (VLM)

Providing access to quality education, training and health services

V

LM supports the projects of the Daughters of Charity and the Vincentian Fathers in Ethiopia.

The Daughters and the Vincentians work alongside the poor and marginalised across Ethiopia by providing access to quality education, training and health services.

People who benefit from these services include female and single-headed households, people living in slum-dwelling areas, people with Leprosy and HIV, and people with disabilities. Working with urban and rural communities to help develop their environment and opportunities for the future is a key area of focus for the Daughters and the Vincentians.

This is done through housing projects, provision of early-childhood education in remote areas, health outreach projects and income generating activities.

Work of VLM volunteers 2011 was another year of progress and development for VLM and our project partners. We sent 18 volunteers to nine different projects, where they worked alongside Ethiopian peers and filled roles as teachers, administrators, social workers and nurses.

The skills and contribution of volunteers are highly valued and appreciated by the staff and service users of these various projects. Education and skills training are considered the cornerstone of development for the individual and for local communities.

In Ethiopia, second and third level schooling is done through English, so for children to progress it is essential that they have a good articulation and understanding of English throughout their school-going

years. The energy, methodologies and enthusiasm of Irish teachers is eagerly received by students and teachers alike.

Secondary school teachers Skills’ training is an invaluable resource for young adults and parents in Ethiopia.

Income generating activities provide people with the opportunity to engage with sustainable livelihoods that enables them to provide for their family.

This year, skills development in the rural town of Bonga was advanced considerably by the work of three VLM volunteers.

Secondary school teachers, Lisa O’ Donnell, Eilise O’ Hart and Thomas Boyle worked with local people to increase their capacity and skills in woodwork and furnituremaking, cooking and food preparation, and, sewing and card-making.

The expertise and teaching methodologies that Lisa, Eilise and Thomas brought to these income-generating activities helped to increase the local market and the opportunity for developing new markets nearby.

By working in partnership with local people,

engaging with their culture, appreciating what local raw materials are available, our volunteers were able to bring some new expertise and learning to the project.

The vast majority of our volunteers return home expressing a great deal of satisfaction with their time in Ethiopia, they often describe the experience as fulfilling, life changing, affirming, challenging and at times emotional, especially when it comes to saying goodbye.

We recruit professional people of all ages, so if you would like to broaden your experience and at the same time offer your experience to people in a developing capacity, we might be able to offer you such a placement.

Please contact the Mary Hanlon, VLM Project Coordinator at info@vlm.ie or 01 8102570 Find OUT MORE VLM, St Peters Parish Offices, New Cabra Road, Phibsboro, Dublin 7 VLM Office:01 8102570 Web: www.vlm.ie

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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.

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

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

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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05/12/2011 11:18:05

Festo

Festo and the WorldSkills Competition

O

v e r i t s 6 0 y e a r h i s t o r y, WorldSkills International (formerly known as the "Skill Olympics") has come to symbolise the pinnacle of excellence in vocational training.

Every two years hundreds of young skilled people, accompanied by their teachers and trainers, gather together from around the world to compete before the public in the skills of their various trades and test themselves against demanding international standards. They represent the best of their peers drawn from regional and national skill competitions held currently in 52 countries/regions. motivation and knowledge

The experience and results of all the competitions provide valuable feedback both to the individuals and the systems and enterprises in which they are being trained.

For some it is recognition for outstanding achievement, while for others it provides the motivation and knowledge to aspire to higher standards.

For the onlookers it is a revealing experience to see highly competent young tradespeople in action. The competitions are particularly effective in the context of providing positive career role models for school aged youngsters.

This year the Worldskills took place in the Excel Centre, London from the 5th to 8th October and the statistics being reported from are very impressive, here are some of the numbers that have been published • There were 931 Competitors registered from 51 different countries/regions in 46 skill areas.

• WorldSkills London 2011 took over the entire 90,000 sq. metres of floor space at ExCeL London making it the largest and most complex event ever held at the venue.

• There were 957 accredited media • There were 153,704 people registered to visit the Competition before the event even started with 36,333 individuals and 117,371 school and colleges

pre-registered to attend.

• Over 2,403 school, college and community groups visited the event.

• It is estimated that 200,000 visitors in total came throughout the four days of Competition.

• On top of those visits there were over 3000 accredited Competitors, Delegates, Observers and Experts.

• Senior politicians who visited the Competition included: Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Secretary of State Vince Cable, Skills Minister John Hayes, and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson. central role The Irish Team has always ranked in the top groups in these competitions against the most skilled competitors in the world.

This is testimony to the quality of training and educational standards and systems and the abilities of their workforce to compete very favourably with the best in the world.

Ireland plays a central role in the WorldSkills Competitions and has hosted them on two occasions – 1963 and 1979.

This year the Ireland team won 3 Gold medals in the skills of , Aircraft

Maintenance, Electrical Installations and Plastering.

For more than 20 years Festo has been supporting the WorldSkills as a global partner. In 2011 Festo has been a partner in the vocational disciplines “Mechatronics”, “Mobile Robotics” and “Polymechanics” using their MPS stations. With its dedication as a global industry partner, Festo wants to promote interest in vocational education.

This year, the vocational disciplines were highly competitive: the discipline “Mechatronics” was headed by Japan and Brazil with 559 and 557 points respectively, both won the gold medal. Sweden and Korea shared bronze as both reached 545 points. In the discipline “Mobile Robotics” Korea left the rest of the field behind – it won the gold medal with 588 points, closely followed by Japan (525 points) on the 2nd and Indonesia (522 points) on the 3rd place.

In 2013, the WorldSkills Competition will come to Germany – the venue then will be Leipzig. Then the teams can demonstrate once again that competing in technology at world-class level can be great fun…

Find OUT MORE www.worldskills.org Education 39

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Closing date for applications for most programmes is Friday May 4th 2012

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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 a 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.

Catholic Marriage Care Service

Are you getting married in 2012?

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

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05/12/2011 13:56:41 05/12/2011 14:02:41

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05/12/2011 12:05:11

An Post Museum

How the GPO and the postal service shaped modern Ireland Ireland now has a small postal museum in Dublin’s iconic General Post Office.

Stephen Ferguson, Curator of the new Museum, introduces the exhibition, Letters, Lives and Liberty, and explains that there’s much more to the Post Office than stamps!

T

he idea of creating a small postal museum is one that has been around for a long time. Way back in 1926, one of my predecessors wrote to Head Postmasters to tell them that “We are endeavouring to get together material to form the nucleus of an official museum” and asked for “examples of datestamps, telegraph instruments, uniforms, maps etc.”

A few items were collected at that time but until recently it never proved possible to overcome the challenges posed by finance and space.

'Letters, Lives and Liberty' is housed in a purpose-designed space right beside the GPO’s busy Public Office. the story of the Post Office 'Letters, Lives and Liberty' introduces the story of the Post Office and how it has helped to shape the development of modern Ireland. The space is small and the remit of the design team was to make use of it in the most effective way. This is achieved by

the clever blend of digital technology, recently recognised by the Gold rosette at the 2011 Digital Media Awards, with elements of traditional museum display.

Whatever the subject – transport, communications, architecture, design, banking, printing – there is something in the GPO’s Museum that can bring these things to life for every visiting school group.

Listen to conversations through an original telephone switchboard, look at the blunderbuss that was used to protect mail on mail coaches, watch films on mail boats and the special Post Office railway carriages where men sorted the post as they travelled. Move back in time and discover a famine letter, another from an Irish prisoner of war in Germany and others by literary giants like Jonathan Swift and Seamus Heaney.

The GPO in 1916 Everyone knows the GPO was the headquarters of the 1916 rebels and the place where Irish liberty was declared in the words of the famous Proclamation of independence. For the Museum visitor, there is a chance to read and examine an original 1916 Proclamation in the very place where

Pearse first declared Irish freedom.

The unique 1916 Pepper’s Ghost drama introduces the postal staff who were on duty in the GPO on Easter Monday 1916 and lets them tell the little-known story of what actually happened when the GPO was occupied that day.

Oh yes, and in case I forget, there are stamps of course – a wonderful selection drawn from all over the world as well as a clever touch-screen database that lets visitors browse through all the Irish stamps issued since 1922. When you have finished with that and mastered the secret “love code” of the stamp, you might even post a card in the GPO’s oldest letter box!

Find OUT MORE General Post Office, O'Connell Street, Dublin 1. Monday - Friday: 10am to 5pm, Saturday: 10am to 4pm. www.anpost.ie/historyandheritage Education 45

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Just Published.....................................................................................................................

Wildflowers of Ireland – A Personal Record by Zoë Devlin ZOË Devlin’s ‘Wildflowers of Ireland – A Personal Record’ (price, €29.99) has been a long time in the making.

Descriptions and detailed photographs of plants are embellished with herbal and literary references, and related Irish folklore. Over 400 commonly found wildflowers are described and some not-so-common and even rare species such as: Spring Gentian - only found in certain areas of the West of Ireland and is synonymous with the Burren in County Clare. Pineappleweed – whose leaves smell of pineapple. Giant Rhubarb – introduced from Chile and is now an invasive threat to our native flora. Round-leaved Sundew – a native plant whose leaves digest insects!

Zoë presents all the wildflowers in such a way so those without botanical knowledge learn to identify them and gain a greater understanding of the subject. This book creates a new awareness and wider picture of the world of wildflowers in Ireland without being over scientific or bogged down by terminology.

So What Do You Think?

- A Guide for the Teenage Mind

by Clair Swinburne

IRISH author and teacher, Clair Swinburne, in association with ReachOut.com, has launched a new book geared towards Irish teenagers entitled ‘So What Do You Think?’. Teenagers are always told how important it is to look after their mental health and this new book offers teenagers real insights into how to look after their mental health including a practical section outlining 10 techniques to enable the reader to take immediate action.

A recent survey by ReachOut. com, the leading Irish youth mental health online support service, revealed that 9 1 % o f s u rveyed teens and young adults who had visited the website agreed that “anyone can experience a mental health problem”, yet 59% of young people “wouldn’t want other people to know” if they had a mental health problem. Clair’s book responds to this by giving teens an understanding of how their mind works and how it can be affected, along with practical steps empowering them with strategies on how to improve their own well-being.

Speaking about the book, Clair says “I felt empowered to write the book as I am so passionate about youth mental health and young people. Although there is great work being done promoting an understanding of mental health and eliminating the negative associations surrounding it; there is still limited guidance for young people (or adults) on exactly how they can look after their own mental health.

"My book aims to help teenagers really understand how their mind works and what affects it, as well as providing strategies that can be implemented into their lives straight away".

So What Do You Think? is priced €9.99 and is available on amazon.com and Hughes & Hughes. Proceeds from each sale are being donated to ReachOut. ReachOut. com is a service that aims to provide quality assured mental health information and shares inspiring real life stories by young people to help other young people get through tough times.

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05/12/2011 11:15:14