EXCITED, in partnership with CESI, are providing Ireland’s first Digital MegaMeet from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday, May 21, 2016. A myriad of speakers will share insights, experiences, opportunities, stories,
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Wonderful showcase of innovation in the use of digital technologies across the education spectrum at Excited Digital Learning Festival 2016.
The theme for this year’s festival ‘Celebrating Success and Sharing Innovation’, was ably demonstrated by students and teachers during the 2-day event in Dublin Castle, who gave presentations on the tools and techniques they employ when using technology in the classroom, and also by the impressive display of completed projects from both national and secondary level pupils. An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, took the time to visit the exhibition area, learning about the work being undertaken and listening to teachers and their students on the benefits they reap through enhancing their learning experience with technology.
EXCITED is supported by Science Foundation Ireland, the largest competitive funder of science and innovation in Ireland, with RTE as its media partner and took place in Dublin Castle on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st of May.
Both The Printworks building and the International Conference Centre were buzzing with activity over the weekend of events as over 1,200 students, parents and teachers gathered to celebrate a year of digital activity. Among the projects and activities taking place were the finals of the EA Robot Games, won for the first time by Villiers School from Limerick. Students on both the School Digital Champion and the Digital Schools of Distinction programmes showcased their projects, which covered topics as diverse as book-free classrooms, digital medi-bands and ‘Go Gaeilge’, a website that uses Irish language versions of pop songs to help with vocab and grammar.
Meanwhile, of the 30,000 young people who had participated in the LearnStorm math challenges during the regional heats, almost 200 came for the final celebrations and elsewhere teachers shared examples of best practice in the implementation of and successes achieved using a variety of different digital tools to transform the teaching experience in the Digital MegaMeet. This last event was also streamed live, increasing the audience by 900 online viewers.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, a longtime supporter of the work of Excited, acknowledged the commitment and dedication of those involved, saying “Over the last number of years I have seen the good work being done by Excited in developing our young people’s digital skills and empowering them to learn independently. The Excited Digital Learning Festival is a wonderful celebration of the talent and commitment to excellence of our teachers and students. They are working together to develop the skills that will power the next generation. I wish them every success.”
‘EXCITED 2016 – Celebrating Success and Sharing Innovation’, is Ireland’s only Digital Learning Festival. The Festival reflects and celebrates just some of these young people and teachers and their incredible achievements using digital technologies to revolutionise the way learning is being delivered.
“Ireland is leading the way in terms of technology and education”
– Marty Cooper, Excited 2014.
EXCITED provides
a unique opportunity
EXCITED provides a unique opportunity, the first of its kind, for those with an interest in Irish education at all levels to engage directly with teachers, student representatives, enterprise leaders, academics and policy makers at a senior level. The engagement of parties is not that of passive recipients, but rather an engagement of mutual collegiality and respect, acknowledging that such an opportunity to debate and plan the future of education in Ireland is timely and valuable.
Excited
In Africa
- HOUR OF CODEAnybody Can Learn
The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries. Anyone, anywhere can organize an Hour of Code event.
- FIRST Lego LeaguePromoting Science and Technology
FIRST® LEGO® League introduces young people, ages 9 to 14* (grades 4-8), to the fun and excitement of science and technology.
- EUROPEAN CODE WEEKTechnology is Shaping our Lives
During Code Week 2014 all around Europe, more than 150000 people, created apps, websites, games and many other fabulous things by learning to code.
- LearnStorm IrelandFree maths challenge
LearnStorm Ireland is a maths and mindset challenge powered by Khan Academy and delivered by Camara Ireland. The LearnStorm Ireland 2016 final celebration is hosted in association with Excited.
Who Said What?
The student voice has been amplified by the Excited movement.
Kate Murray
Principal, Clontuskert NS
It’s been my experience that when you give children an opportunity, that you will come up with diamonds.
Gavin Dykes
Programme Director, Education World Forum.
The ultimate aim is that by providing this knowledge and these tools to teachers, they can pass it on to students and empower students to shape the future of the media landscape.
Glen Mulahy
Innovation Lead, RTÉ
NEW EXCITED INITIATIVES
Phocused MoJo Training
Phocused is a project to develop the digital skills of teachers, specifically in the area of mobile journalism. This is presented as a partnership between Excited – the Digital Learning Movement, RTÉ and RTÉ Digital. The first module provided training to key members of CESI, the PDST and the JCT. More Phocused training will be provided in the coming months and details will be provided here and from the twitter feed @PhocusedIrl.
The ICE Academy
Currently in development, it is anticipated that this one day event will occur in late Spring 2016.
Power Up 2
Shortly reaching the first anniversary, the modules within the Power Up training sessions are being changed, added to and updated to reflect the changes in mobile device platforms and associated software. The first Power Up 2 will be offered in Dublin in Spring 2016. Details will be made available via this website and also via the twitter feed @PowerUpIrl
Latest Tweets
RT @keithkrueger: @CoSN @CannonCiaran @WeAreExcited learning about ICT in Ed @LeadDigitalLeap with @RichardbrutonTD https://t.co/ytVX4LAYZe
27 September 2016
RT @UCD_Innovators: Secondary Teachers can now apply for a .@FolensIreland Innovation Scholarship for this UCD course - https://t.co/ZLE5Ku…
26 September 2016
We in @WeAreExcited are delighted to welcome @CoSN education leaders to Ireland.
https://t.co/FgYPcbfVv5
26 September 2016
RT @ciarancannon: @cesitweets @magsamond @fboss @sgpdst @RichardbrutonTD @NAPD_IE @padflanagan22 @RonanHarris @WeAreExcited
https://t.co…
22 September 2016
RT @GillEducation: A fantastic achievement, no doubt. Well done @TheHarryMcC. @DYCIRL @ciarancannon @WeAreExcited @Accenture_Irl @muirnel…
22 September 2016
RT @TheHarryMcC: August 25th, 2014 I launched @DYCIRL , now replicated in the UK & Netherlands, and 25+ Irish members .. Delighted! https:/…
22 September 2016
RT @davebarna: @ciarancannon @RichardbrutonTD you deserve massive credit Ciaran for what you haven done with @WeAreExcited
15 September 2016
RT @colmacrobotics: STEM graduates are qualified for just about any job - a great article by Prof. Mark Ferguson, Director General of... ht…
02 September 2016
RT @CiaraFudgyJudgy: Just something I had to say. To everyone who has supported me on this journey: https://t.co/Xj7Cdc8cPX
02 September 2016
RT @DYCIRL: Digital Youth Council applications are now open for 2016/17. Apply now - https://t.co/VvuGjVt3dg … Pls RT https://t.co/39mT3G28…
09 August 2016
EXCITED NEWS
Taoiseach Enda Kenny launched Ireland’s Hour of Code programme which sees over 500 events planned across the country. A frontrunner in Europe’s drive to promote coding for young people, Ireland’s
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The Hour of Code is a global initiative aimed at increasing awareness and participation in coding and is particularly focused on children at school-going age. This year’s Hour of Code
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