Claregalway’s Coláiste Bhaile Chláir has been selected as a 2014–2015 Microsoft Showcase School, having been recognised as a global leader in successful integrations of technology with teaching and learning.
The school was selected by Microsoft for its excellence in transforming its learning environment to deliver more personalised education to students, using mobile and cloud technology to help prepare students better for success in the workplace.
Teachers Lara Dabbagh and Gareth Callan have also been selected as Expert Educators under this schools programme. They join a group of 800 teachers worldwide who have been acknowledged for their practice in the classroom.
Coláiste Bhaile Chláir is now one of an exclusive list of over 150 schools from around the world recognised for their pioneering efforts and innovation in re-thinking teaching, learning and assessment in the use of 21st century technology.
Pictured are some Coláiste Bhaile Chláir students after winning the ‘Three in a Row’—the February, March and April schools MATHletes challenge—earlier this year.
The school facilitates student learning through the development of knowledge communities in the classroom and staffroom. Coláiste Bhaile Chláir is working towards a more personalised learning environment for each its classes and students.
“Teachers have worked collaboratively together and are also working with the students to create a new approach to teaching and learning. Gone is the reliance on the traditional textbook or e-book as the source of all information,” says principal Alan Mongey.
Across each subject area the school has developed their own teaching and learning resource which can be adapted and changed easily to suit each class or stufdent.
“By harnessing the power of mobile and cloud based technologies such as Microsoft OneNote and Office 365 and through the use of touch and pen based devices like the Surface Pro, the school has progressed to achieving its vision of a more engaging and challenging learning environment for all students,” said the principal.
Through active learning methodologies students are developing a deeper understanding in their subject areas and are more engaged and motivated in their learning. “Being selected as a Microsoft Showcase School is an amazing honour and recognition of the work of our teachers and staff,” said Alan Mongey.
“We look forward to sharing our experiences with other schools in our community and the world to continue finding innovative ways to equip our students with the proper tools needed for success inside and outside of the classroom,” he concluded.
As a Showcase School, Coláiste Bhaile Chláir will work closely with Microsoft to lead innovation in education and communicate a vision for education enabled by technology through the hosting and mentoring of other schools in the community on transformational educational practices.
