Sponsors and Supporters 5: LiNK

Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Research Centre (LiNK)

The Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Research Centre (LiNK) is a specialised university research centre located at Dublin City University. LiNK’s research programme is focused on three key areas of:

• health services management
• knowledge intensive firms, and
• technology.

In each case, both individuals and teams are engaged in research projects which focus primarily on creating the learning, innovation and knowledge that is the hallmark of LiNK’s activities. The primary focus of LiNK’s activities relating to technology are:

• Digital content workflow
• Next generation marketing
• Technology ownership and use

LiNK is the primary Academic Partner in Cambridge University Press’ Global Grid for Learning (GGFL) project. In addition, to coordinating research on GGFL usage worldwide, LiNK is also a partner on the Arab Grid for Learning, which is an initiative run with Cambridge University Press and Obeikan Research and Development. The Next Generation Marketing research group is lead by Dr. Theo Lynn and Dr. Laurent Muzellec. This group looks specifically at how technology impacts on marketing and it focuses primarily on defictionalisation and virtual worlds. iMUVE is another cross-discipline research project which involves CTTS looking at the social science research opportunities in multi-user virtual environments. LiNK has also created a platform for Dr. Theo Lynn and Dr. Angelos Alexopoulos to develop a “fact tank” which explores the impact of technology on society in Ireland and the world. In addition to providing reports on the impact of technology on education and business, the “fact tank” will also be used to make data available to validated researchers so they can explore other research topics.

Dr. Theo Lynn will be a guest speaker at the Irish Teaching and Learning Festival.

Sponsors and Supporters 4: INTO

Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) is the largest teachers’ union in Ireland. The INTO, in Irish Chumann Múinteoirí Éireann, caters for primary school teachers in the Republic of Ireland and it also represents teachers from Northern Ireland through the Ulster Teachers’ Union. Its headquarters are in Parnell Square, Dublin.

To find out more about sponsors and exhibitors at the event visit us at www.itlfestival.ie or register for the free event by clicking on the registration icon above.

Sponsors and Supporters 3: The Centre for Talented Youth

The Centre for Talented Youth, Ireland

The Irish Centre for Talented Youth is the only organisation of its kind in the country. It provides challenging academic programmes for young people, aged between 6 and 16 years of age, who have a high intellectual ability. The Centre runs specialised courses in subject areas which may not ordinarily be available in schools around the country. Students who attend the Centre usually function in the 95^th percentile. Although CTYI is based in Dublin City University, it has a number of satellite Centres in University College Cork, Limerick IT, Tralee IT, Wexford town (Carlow IT campus), Athlone IT, Galway-Mayo IT and Letterkenny IT. Since the Centre was first established in 1992 it has seen more than 30,000 students walk through its doors. The Centre’s Director is Mr. Colm O’Reilly.

Nature of Courses:

The courses are designed to teach at a pace and level above that which pupils are used to at school. These courses present material in such a way that it challenges and stimulates new interests. Students are taught by an instructor who is either studying at PhD level or by someone who works in a particular field of interest; that way they are being exposed to cutting edge developments in subject areas. The courses at CTYI are designed to challenge the way students think and get them immersed in the subject they are learning about. Pupils are also encouraged to explore new ways of expressing themselves through their writing.

The Irish Centre for Talented Youth will be participating in the Irish Teaching and Learning Festival.

Gifted Children

More and more, the education sector has been focusing attention on gifted children and how being ‘gifted’ affects a pupils entire school experience. A recent piece accessed on docstoc comments on the changes that occur in the social and emotional health of a pupil that is gifted. Treated in the wrong way a student with these capabilities can become frustrated and isolated from peers. The Irish resource for these students (www.giftedkids.ie) has made a huge difference to many parents and teachers in Ireland.  Developed by a voluntary group of Irish parents of exceptionally able children with the aim of  helping other parents and teachers to find the information, support and advice that they may need.

Exceptionally able and exceptional children can come from all socio-economic groups and from all parts of the country. It is the ethos of Giftedkids that all children, regardless of their home circumstances, should have equal access to an appropriate education, specific to their individual educational and unique social/emotional needs.

Register now to visit the Irish Teaching and Learning Festival to learn more about giftedkids.ie and other Teaching resources and sites!

Promethean Sponsors Irish Teaching and Learning Festival

The Irish Teaching and Learning Festival is sponsored by Promethean and it is supported by a number of other organisations such as the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland, the Irish National Teachers Organisation, the Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Research Centre, the National Centre for Technology in Education and the Irish Centre for Talented Youth.

About Promethean

Promethean is a global organisation which helps people to unlock the potential of human achievement in education and training. This is done through the creation and development of leading edge, interactive learning technology. The organisation also encourages the growth of the world’s biggest online teaching community in the educational and learning field. In doing so, Promethean is helping to improve engagement and results for learners and teachers alike. Promethean’s success can be attributed to the company’s genuine desire to encourage and create innovative education solutions. One of their products, ActivClassroom, is an example of their industry-leading, comprehensive 21st century classroom solutions. Promethean also provides extensive training and support to over 600,000 members.

Promethean Planet (www.prometheanplanet.com) is one of the world’s fastest growing online communities for users of interactive display system technology and it provides. In addition to providing user-generated and premium content it also provides teachers with a platform through which they can exchange ideas and experiences. Promethean’s specialised technology is being used to educate in excess of 500,000 classrooms in over 100 countries worldwide (www.prometheanworld.com).

To find out more about the event visit us @ www.itlfestival.ie or register for free by clicking on the link above.