Davitt College

Davitt College and the Digital Classroom Revolution.

“Schools will be crucial to Ireland’s success as a knowledge economy… but if we are to make a successful transition to a knowledge economy we must surely transform our schools as well”

(Michael Ahern, Minister for Innovation across the Depts. Of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Education & Science).

For ten years now Davitt College has been to the forefront in the use of ICT in the classroom. As the technology changed and evolved Davitt College progressed with it and today the school is now part of that elite group of schools actively participating in the digital classroom revolution. Driving this revolution are the ICT coordinator and Principal supported by a talented staff who participate in on-going professional development in the use of this technology in the classroom. This pedagogical digital media training is provided by the ICT coordinator.

Following the launch of the IT 2000 initiative by Department of Education & Science, Davitt College was one of the first post-primary schools to move forward with the introduction of digital resources in the school. Back then it was one of the first schools to offer ECDL to all Transition year pupils.
Information Technology investment by the department of Education and Science for schools’ ceased in 2006 due to financial constraints.
Davitt College, over the past four years, had the foresight to continue to invest in high specification, cutting edge technology creating an ICT culture in the school. This investment includes the provision of three fully equipped state of the art computer rooms, a laptop for every teacher and ceiling mounted projectors in every classroom. During this time a professional in-school comprehensive teacher training programme was provided to ensure that these expensive resources were used effectively to enhance teaching and learning. This training has now been enhanced by the provision of a secure ICT support and resources website exclusively for teachers.

All 2010-2011 first year students will automatically be provided with access to online resources which will include, school email addresses and online software for students to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
To access and use these resources at home all that is required is an internet connection. Supervised computer access will be provided, each day, during the lunchtime period for First Year Students to encourage IT use.

Ireland must embrace the digital revolution which has the potential to produce thousands of jobs in the future. Educational policies will have a major influence on this.

Davitt College strives to play its part in building, through innovative education, a better and prosperous future for its students.

Davitt College is delighted to be selected one of the 78 post-primary schools in the country to get 100 megabits of broadband connectivity. ............. Read more