Training Offered at the ICT Learning Centre

As part of its plan to develop ICT in education, and in view of the new National Minimum Curriculum the ICT Learning Centre within the Department of Technology in Education regularly offers a number of courses in ICT specifically aimed for teachers. Sessions are organised in the evening during the scholastic year, and in the mornings during the summer recess. The following is a full list of the courses currently offered.

Computer Awareness for Complete Beginners

This course is intended for complete beginners. The course will focus on basic hardware, the Windows 98 Operating System and related software.

This course covers most aspects of the Internet, including world wide web, email, search techniques, use of resources harvested from the Internet, the Internet within the classroom context, Internet as communication tool.

Use of the Internet in the Primary Classroom and Creating Web pages using Print Shop 10/11

This course aims to expose teachers to the necessary tools and features to be able to create web pages. The software package Print Shop 10/11 provided within year 5 and 6 classrooms in the primary school will be utilised to create a classroom web page during the course. The course will expose teachers to the methods used to harvest images and information necessary to create the web page from the Internet. Teachers will also be exposed to the SchoolNet primary school portal so as to gain access to necessary classroom teaching resources. They will also make use of the SchoolNet mail both to communicate with other teachers with the aim of starting internet email communication with other schools, and to send classroom resources they may create to share these with teacher colleagues. Teachers will also have the opportunity to upload the web page they will be creating within the course so as to gain the necessary skills to upload web pages created by their classroom later on.

Basic features of MS Word

Introduction to Word Processing, covering basic keyboard skills, formatting of text, insertion of graphics, Word Art, creating, saving and printing documents.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Introduction to MS PowerPoint, covering creation of slides, inserting graphics, sound and movies, as well as slide show animation and transitions.

Computer Graphics

This course is targeted for users already familiar with the computer environment who feel the need to be creative using this powerful digital tool. The course will be of great benefit to those with artistic ability ready to skip to the digital medium of expression. The following software will be covered: Paint, PowerPoint, Paint Shop Pro and Freehand 5.

Intermediate Computer Graphics

This course is targeted for users who have already covered the Computer Graphics course offered by the ICT learning Centre or are already conversant with graphics programs. The course focuses on the use of Paint Shop Pro/Freehand.

European Computer Driving License for Teachers

The European Computer Driving License is an internationally recognised qualification, certifying that the holder has the knowledge and skill needed to use the most common computer applications efficiently and productively. This is a one-year course intended to prepare participants to undertake the ECDL exam. To gain the ECDL, the applicant must pass one theoretical and six practical tests, which are administered throughout Europe by accredited Test Centres. The ECDL syllabus is broken down into seven modules, each of which must be passed before the ECDL certificate is awarded. The seven modules that make up the ECDL are:

Basic concepts of IT
Using the computer and managing files
Word processing
Spreadsheets
Databases
Presentation
Information and Communication

Candidates obtain, usually from a test centre, a logbook listing all the modules. As they pass each module, the accredited testing body will sign the logbook. When all the modules have been successfully completed, the logbook is exchanged for a certificate.

Creating a School Website

The course will discuss the rationale behind the creation, use and maintenance of a school Website. It will cover basic knowledge of the Internet in general and will involve the participants in the basic creation of a Website making use of FrontPage 2000. The course will also cover uploading the Website into a SchoolNet account.

Creating Resource Packs for State Schools: Years 1 – 3

This course is intended for Primary School Teachers. During this course teachers will be trained in creating complete packages which make full use of Information Technology and which can be used within the classroom situation. A package will include the following resources: Slide Show presentations created using Ms PowerPoint and Kid Pix Deluxe, Flashcards / handouts / charts / booklets / card games created using Print Shop Ensemble and Onscreen Activities created using Kid Pix Deluxe.

Creating Resource Packs for State Schools: Years 4

This course is intended for Primary School Teachers. During this course teachers will be trained in creating complete packages which make full use of Information Technology and which can be used within the classroom situation. A package will include the following resources: Slide Show presentations created using MS PowerPoint and Kid Pix Deluxe, Flashcards / handouts / charts / booklets / card games created using Print Shop Premier 5 and Onscreen Activities created using Kid Pix Deluxe and Bookworkshop.

Creating Resource Packs for State Schools: Years 5 and 6

This course is intended for Primary School Teachers. During this course teachers will be trained in creating complete packages which make full use of Information Technology and which can be used within the classroom situation. A package will include the following resources: Slide Show presentations created using MS PowerPoint. Flashcards / handouts / charts / booklets / card games created using Print Shop 10 and Onscreen Activities created using Primary Writer.