Principal Brennan, Principal Kilmartin, Board of Management, Parents Association, Ladies, Gentlemen and Students.
What we have witnessed today is the beginning of a technical revolution that will fundamentally change the way future generations will access educational resources. Books, videos, tutorials and even teachers are now available at the click of a button. "Online – not Inline" could easily describe how our schools, teachers and students differ today from the generations who preceded them. We must embrace the enormous opportunities that all of this brings, we must "click" into our creativity and innovation to ensure that future generations can compete in the global economy and can take a full and active part in society.
The evolution of Information and Communication Technologies in the last number of decades has demonstrated that change will continue to happen at pace and we, as a society, must ensure that we are at the very forefront of shaping this change. You, the students of today and the innovators of tomorrow, will drive Ireland forward in this dynamic environment and I’m sure deliver a prosperous future for all of us.
I am extremely impressed with what I have seen today in terms of practical evidence of how technology and the internet is revolutionising and enriching teaching and learning.
The internet is providing learners with the possibility of being able to learn at any time and in any place. There are all kinds of reasons why the type of technology-rich and multi-sensory learning environment enabled by modern digital media is valuable. We have just witnessed them.
Teachers are bringing real-life learning scenarios into classrooms via online access to rich media
Classrooms are more flexible and innovative in how they access and deliver the curriculum
Students are more engaged in class through the use of a range of online interactive content and
There is great out-of-school use of learning resources
Accessing education through mixed media can and will deliver a richer educational experience. Applying technology in the right way can make education not just more engaging – but more appealing – so the students and educators get more from it.
This Government has already demonstrated that we are willing to make the necessary funding available to assist our educators in implementing and shaping this change. I was privileged to be invited to Coláiste Bríde last year to witness the innovation that ICT is facilitating in the classroom when, in partnership with my colleague Ruairí Quinn - Minister for Education & Skills - the national rollout of 100 megabits of broadband to all second level schools was formally launched.
I am equally pleased to announce the continued rollout of this programme that will deliver a world class broadband service to all post primary school in Dublin, Kildare and Meath by the end of this year. We are committed to finishing what we started. By the end of 2014, all post primary schools will enjoy the benefits of high speed broadband that have been so aptly demonstrated today. As a Government Minister, it is heartening to see the tangible benefits of a policy decision so quickly after implementation.
You are the future of Irish society and of the Irish economy. You are the future workforce, the future innovators, entrepreneurs, teachers, medics etc. If we are to create and sustain a decent standard of living for coming generations then it is imperative that you and your peers have the skills and competencies necessary to enable the Irish economy compete in the global marketplace.
We have witnessed today, from the teachers and students, how the broadband initiative not only provides a technology for teaching and learning, but provide an impetus for the whole school to develop and grow. Broadband brings new opportunities for innovation and creativity. It is important to realise however that this innovation in the teaching and learning environment is not about technology, it is enabled by technology.
I have seen first-hand, schools all over the country, that have benefited from the 100Mbps project exposing our young people to new opportunities for learning and expression. It is giving them exposure to content, applications and technology that is becoming mainstream in the workplace. The skills that our students are gaining positions Ireland well in a knowledge intensive world.
Broadband enabled schools will form a key launch pad for local communities and their use of high speed broadband. Young people will be exposed to what is possible and this will inevitably lead to a greater understanding of the opportunities for local business, community groups and citizens.
Whether inside or outside of the formal education environment, the potential of the internet as an educational resource is enormous. It offers a vast and rich source of learning material for teachers and pupils and given the innovation and co-operation I have seen today between Presentation Secondary School and Coláiste Bríde I am delighted that you are proactively utilising on-line resources on a regular basis. The potential is enormous – The physical boundaries of the classroom are being removed. A maths class sharing resources separated by kilometres in the same city can easily become a language class from Paris or a science class from NASA.
With the infrastructure in place, the technology accessible, and the guidance of progressive educators, we will have the potential to ensure that ICT will play a central role in the development of the digital citizens of tomorrow. While the investment in the installation of the infrastructure is a very necessary start, on its own it is not enough.
We need the capacity in our schools to access the online resources and to make good use of them. We need to showcase the initiatives demonstrated by Presentation Secondary School and Coláiste Bríde. We need to encourage and facilitate others to follow suit.
I must acknowledge our partners who continue to work diligently in delivering the project. These include, HEAnet, the Professional Development Services for Teachers, ESB Telecom on whose network this project will be backboned and officials from the Department of Education and Skills and my own Department.
I applaud the professionalism of all our teachers and educators who are changing from the "chalk and talk" model of teaching to one that encompasses current and emerging technologies. The initiative demonstrated today is the result of cooperation between many different players. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the combined efforts of Ms Gwen Brennan and Ms Marie Therese Kilmartin, the Principals of Warrenmount Presentation and Coláiste Bríde respectively for their vision in embracing new technologies and collaborating on such an exciting initiative. Patricia Garry, Deputy Principal Warrenmount and Sarah Jayne Carey, ICT coordinator Coláiste Bríde are also deserving of our gratitude for their hard work in ensuring the success of this project. A special word of thanks must be reserved for Maria Broderick, Maths Teacher Coláiste Bríde who has worked with the emerging technologies on a daily basis to deliver the positive learning experience.
I must also thank Seamus Ryan, Cliff Brown and H2 Digital Hub for all their assistance.
In conclusion, Principal Brennan, Principal Kilmartin, their staff, the Boards of Management, the Parents Associations and you the students can all be proud of how you have embraced the changing educational landscape. I am greatly heartened by what I have witnessed here today and feel confident that you and future generations can and will make a major contribution to society and the global digital world.
Thank you very much.