On Monday evening last Davitt College launched its new Management Learning System, Moodle.  This is a new online facility that makes available subject specific resources to students from any computer anywhere, especially at home.

At the recent launch of the Learning Management System in Davitt College were seated (L to R) Dr. Katie Sweeney, CEO, Co. Mayo VEC and Bernie Rowland, Princiopal Davitt College. Standing (L to R) Mark Jordan, ICT Coordinator, Bina Munnelly, EO, Co. Mayo VEC, Veronica Morley, English teacher and Emma Nestor, maths and ICT teacher.

Speaking at the launch Dr. Katie Sweeney, CEO, Co. Mayo VEC, said "It is well known in education circles that Davitt College has led the way in the West of Ireland in efforts to provide the most up-to-date and appropriate Learning Systems for its students. This did not happen by chance and a long history of strategic planning has positioned this pioneering school to play a pivotal role in leading the other schools and centres in Co. Mayo VEC. I would like to pay tribute to the Principal, Bernie Rowland, for the way in which she has led this school into this new era, ably supported by her skilled, competent and enthusiastic staff. I must extend my thanks to Mark Jordan who has been one of this Learning Management System's main proponents and I congratulate him on seeing this project to completion. The training of the staff in the use of Information Communication Technology and the provision of the most modern facilities available were prioritised by school management prior to the launch of this initiative. This follows extensive research by staff members who have generously contributed their time in addition to their teaching commitments. But this has been more than a study of technology, it has also been a considered investigation of the way in which learning occurs and this was the key driver of the project. The main objective of introducing this Learning Management System is that the quality of the educational experience in Davitt College will be even further enhanced. Students will leave this school with superior skills in the use of Information Technology and therefore transfer seamlessly into the world of Third Level and Further Education."

Bernie Rowland, Principal, concurring with the sentiments expressed by the CEO stated "It is an exciting time in education for schools like Davitt College who have willingly embraced and implemented the use of information technology in teaching and learning.  The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) recommends that the ultimate objective of ICT development in secondary schools should be the provision of a Learning Management System It is now a reality in Davitt College thanks to the enthusiasm of our teachers guided by Mark Jordan I.C.T. Co-Coordinator. There is now a body of evidence to show that subject-related performance and educational achievements of pupils of all abilities improve through the use of ICT."

Mark Jordan, ICT Coordinator, provided guests with a live demonstration on how the system works.  He explained that the subject specific resources used by teachers in their classroom will now be available to students outside the classroom. "Students access these resources over the internet with a standard web browser. Each week resources, used by the teacher in class, are made available to students to download. More resources are added as the year progresses creating a database of learning support the student can access at any time.  This will eventually provide the student with support material all the way from first year to Leaving Cert." Mr. Jordan pointed out that the system allowed teachers to include electronic tests. Students taking electronic tests have errors highlighted; repeating tests will improve results and in this way enhance information retention. The system allows the teacher to instantly communicate with students and they can email the teacher, in confidence, for help, support and advice at any time.

Davitt College Principal, Ms. Bernie Rowland, stated that she was immensely proud of the skills and enthusiasm shown by her staff and particularly of Mark Jordan in developing the Learning Management System which she was sure would be of untold benefit to students at the College. She expressed appreciation to Ms. Emma Nestor and Ms. Veronica Morley, who devised and demonstrated Maths and English inputs for the launch. Ms. Rowland pointed out that ICT is not an alternative to effective teaching but it does enhance and enrich teaching and learning.  It has long been the policy at Davitt College to provide the most modern and effective teaching supports for staff in order that students are provided with the best possible learning and educational resources and the Learning Management System was another stage in this process.  Live demonstrations of the Learning Management System will take place in Davitt College on our Open Night, Monday February 28^th, 2011 between 6.00p.m. and 9.00p.m.