From the outset, students, teachers, parents and the entire school community of Celbridge Community School has embraced digital technology as a tool to enhance our daily lives. All students have their own personal iPad as their primary learning device and the rationale for this approach is explained and discussed with parents.
Students and staff use their Apple devices and technology in all classes and to facilitate Home Learning tasks. Students use a variety of applications, resources and material to enhance their learning experience. Teachers use a variety of pedagogical strategies and applications when using digital technologies to support learning and create content and resources. ICT skills are shared on a regular basis both formally and informally. No Junior Cycle textbooks are purchased for JC students and all teachers provide access to the curriculum and JC specification through their personally developed iBooks and supplementary resources.
Celbridge Community School recognises and promotes the use of Apple digital technologies as a tool to enhance teaching and learning and has a robust whole school approach to the use of digital technologies. Students and teachers’ individual competence, knowledge and their positive disposition to the use of ICT to enhance teaching and learning. Staff collaboratively effect change at a whole-school level to innovate and improve educational practice, through the embedding of a range of digital technologies in teaching and learning and through the vision we as a school have for a holistic education for our students which is complemented by responsible use and access to digital technologies.
As we continue to develop towards a school of 750 students, we will maintain our commitment to regular reviews and improvements in the area of digital technologies. Apple devices, platforms, applications and training will allow us to continue to support the vision of Celbridge Community school in providing a highly effective learning environment for our students and a challenging an innovative place to work for our teachers.