This course is aimed at teachers who work through Irish and who use computers regularly in the classroom. Participants will learn about the technological resources currently available to Irish speakers, including teachers and pupils. This practical course is suitable for teachers who are familiar with computers, as well as those who are less knowledgeable about technology and find it difficult to use computers. It will help teachers:

• to use their computer more effectively;
• to write more accurately in Irish;
• to make effective use of Irish language software and the wide range of online facilities now available through Irish;
• to get new ideas and activities for the classroom.

By the end of the course, teachers will know far more about the most important technological resources available in Irish, and will be able to share what they have learnt with their pupils.

Each module in the course also contains interactive grammar exercises, and these will help teachers add to their writing skills in Irish.

Authors

This course was written by Cóilín Ó Floinn and Éamonn Ó Dónaill.

There are five modules in Irish Language IT Resources for the Classroom and each module contains advice and information on various technological resources for Irish, as well as practical ideas for the classroom. Please note that there are two versions of Module 1, one of which is suitable for those who have Windows XP on their computers, and the other which is suitable for those using Windows Vista.

Unit 1 - Windows XP / Windows Vista

In this unit, you will learn how to:

• set up the operating system, the language, and the keyboard on your computer;
• set up Microsoft Word for Irish;
• ensure that a capital I won’t appear as you type a lowercase i in Irish;
• put the spell checker GaelSpell on your computer.

Grammar: The imperative mood

Unit 2

In this unit, you will learn:

• how to use the browser IE 8;
• how to use the browser Firefox through the medium of Irish;
• about the computer suite OpenOffice;
• about Windows and Office in Irish.

Grammar: Gender of the noun

Unit 3

In this unit, you will learn about:

• useful Irish resources available on the internet;
• useful Irish resources for primary school teachers available on the internet.

Grammar: Simple preopostions

Unit 4

In this unit, you will learn about:

• computer packages and useful books;
• online shops.

Grammar: Location, movement and time

Unit 5

In this unit, you will learn how to:

• copy material from a site and paste it into Microsoft Word;
• record material from the internet;
• use Wikipedia to find articles that would be useful for primary school children;
• translate those pieces to Irish and upload them to Vicipéid.

Grammar: Dates and ordinal numbers

There are five modules in Irish Language IT Resources for the Classroom and each module contains advice and information on various technological resources for Irish, as well as practical ideas for the classroom. Each module has a different objective, and the learner is asked to complete exercises based on the content of the module.

All the exercises are interactive. Once you have completed an exercise, you can then click on the Seol (Send) button and receive feedback immediately. You’re told which answers were correct and which were incorrect, and you’re given the correct answers and a score.

At the beginning of each module, you’re told what the focus of that module is.

In order to move from one screen to another, all you need to do is click on the icon, which appears on the right-hand side, at the top and bottom of each screen. You can also click on any line of text under the words PLEAN AN AONAID on the left hand of the screen in order to access another part of the unit.

On the last page of each module, an leathanach scoir, you’re given an overview of the work that you’ve done in that module and your total score for the module. You’re given several choices as well: to continue to the next module, to go back on the module that you have just completed, or go back to the very beginning of the course.

Forum

A forum will be provided for Irish Language IT Resources for the Classroom. In this forum, teachers will answer the interactive question at the end of each module, as well as the reflective question at the very end of the course.

Those registered for the course will also have an opportunity to contact other teachers through the discussion forum. They will be able to send messages, ask and discuss questions, and express ideas.

Important

This course focuses on Microsoft Windows, especially Modules 1 and 2, therefore those two modules are not suitable for Apple Mac users. Those who use a Mac, however, will find the rest of the course relevant, apart from the section which deals with WinGléacht, a program only available for PCs.

It is not necessary to have advanced computer skills to benefit from this practical online course.

Please note, however, that this course is written in Irish - you must have reasonably good Irish to understand the course content. But don’t be too worried - complicated terminology is avoided!

When can I register for the course?

Immediately!

When can I start the course?

Any time from the beginning of July onwards. In order to earn 3 EPV days, the course must be completed between 1 July 2011 and 26 August 2011.

By what date will I have to have completed the course?

By 26 August. In order to earn 3 EPV days, the course must be completed some time between 1 July 2011 and 26 August 2011. During that period it’s up to you to decide when to study the course content.

What work will I have to do in each module?

You will have to read the material in the module and do all the interactive exercises.
When you have done all that work, you will have to answer the interactive question at the end of the module. You must post this answer on the course forum.
At the very end of the course, you must answer the reflective question. Again, you must post your answer on the course forum.

How many hours must I spend doing the course work?

Approximately twenty hours.

Is the course material written in Irish or in English?

The course is bilingual - each sentence in Irish is translated into English.

Will I have to answer the interactive question at the end of each module in Irish?

No. We would encourage you to use as much Irish as possible in your answers, but you can use English if you need to.

What happens if I have a question?

Write it on the forum or write to your course facilitator.
If you have any difficulties with the site, call Michelle on (01) 484 5220 or write to her at michelle@gaelchultur.com.

Can I do more than one course?

Absolutely! But Department of Education and Skills criteria for on-line courses stipulate that participants may only complete one such course for the awarding of EPV days.

How will I know when I have completed the course?

You will have completed the course when:

• you have spent approximately 20 hours working on the course material;
• you have answered the five interactive exercises as well as the reflective exercise;
• the course facilitator is happy that your work is of a suitably high standard;
• we have received your learner contract, your personal details, the reflective learning log and the evaluation form.

You will receive your certificate and CPD record within a day or two of having completed the course. It takes a little while to compile the answers, and to prepare the certificate and record.