Connect Education Conference
The Connect Education Conference has been postponed, see above article.
South Dublin County Council, the South Dublin Children's Services Committee and Connect Education present the Connect Education Conference which will take place on May 11th in the Dublin West Education Centre.
The title of the Conference is "The Future's not what it used to be". This title reflects the fast pace of change at the intersection of technology and education. This rapid change is well-evidenced by the Connect School Project in St Aidan's Community School, Brookfield, Tallaght, where 15" laptops were rolled out to students in yr 1, 2005, at a cost of 1000 euro each; to yr 5, 2010, where linux netbooks were rolled out costing less than a quarter of that price. Were it to be done now, students and teachers would most likely opt for some form of tablet, whether android or apple based.
In this context, how are schools to best plan and make use of technology in education while also future-proofing any technology strategy? Can any school afford not to prioritise the role of ICT in Education? Given the fast-changing life-experience of our students can the current system turn out twenty first century students and graduates?
These are some of the topics to be touched upon by our speakers at the Connect Education Conference on May 11th. Our guest speakers include Dr Chris Horn, founder of Iona Technologies, Graham Love of Science Foundation Ireland, Georgina Byrne, County Librarian, John Curran of St Aidan's Community School and Stephen Howell of IT Tallaght.
It has been a particular strength of the Connect School Project that education is never seen in isolation but within the wider context of community and indeed industry. Our Conference will conclude with a panel discussion discussion on the role of local authorities and other local agencies in Education.
Our speakers will present on the need for greater emphasis on STEM subjects (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics), on the place of youth mental health in any education intervention and on the wealth of teaching resources available through your local library. We will also see that some of the most interesting and compelling stories developing in the use of ICT in teaching and learning are coming from students themselves!
This year's Connect Education Conference promises to be both challenging and exciting. There will also be updates on the Connect Education Community of Practice. To book your free place at the Connect Education Confernece fill out this booking form.
While it's true that "the Future's not what it used to be.." it is also true that broad consensus is beginning to emerge on what the future of education should look like. Everyone involved in education is invited to our conference to take part in this exciting discussion about the future of Education. #FutureEd