The scheme to which the Deputy refers is a pilot initiative managed and supported by the National Centre for Technology in Education, NCTE, under the auspices of my Department. The initiative, known as the laptops initiative, is aimed at identifying how laptop computers can best be used to support students with dyslexia or other reading and writing difficulties in second level education in a manner that facilitates learning in an inclusive environment.
The initiative, which is intended to supplement existing provision by schools for students with learning difficulties, has the following objectives: to develop models of classroom management supporting the use of laptop computers in mainstream classes, with a view to enabling students with learning difficulties to participate more fully in mainstream classes; to trial the use of laptop computers as a personal support tool for students with dyslexia or other reading or writing difficulties both in the school and home environments, with a view to identifying the most successful methods of use, their benefits and drawbacks; and to identify ways in which different software products can be used to support students with learning difficulties.
Schools were selected to participate in the initiative on the basis of a number of criteria, as follows: schools which were designated disadvantaged or schools with disadvantaged posts; a representative sample of schools which included different school types, gender make up, rural and urban, and a national geographical distribution; and all participating schools needed to be reasonably large to enable a minimum critical mass of students benefit from the project so as to ensure optimum impact and success.
Thirty-one schools, namely those on the following list, from around the country were thus selected and invited to participate in the initiative and the relevant school principals were so informed. The NCTE has developed a national framework providing guidelines, training and support for teachers involved in the project. Within this overall framework each school develops its own operational plans for implementing the initiative according to its local situation and circumstances. A full time project co-ordinator has been appointed by the NCTE to support and liaise with the participating schools.
The project extends to May 2005 at which stage the NCTE will commission a comprehensive evaluation of the experience of the participating schools, the efficacy of the hardware and software utilised, the models of practice developed and most importantly the impact on the learning, performance and motivation of the students involved. The results of the evaluation will inform my Department's policy with regard to the future of this project, the dissemination of best practice models to other schools and the wider application of computer technologies for students with dyslexia and other reading or writing difficulties. Participating Schools: Bailieborough Community School, County Cavan. Boherbue Comprehensive School, County Cork. Causeway Comprehensive School, County Kerry. Coláiste Dhúlaigh, Coolock, Dublin. Coláiste Eoin, Finglas West, Dublin. Gairm Scoil Mhuire, Thurles, County Tipperary. Greenhills College, Greenhills, Dublin. Kilrush Community School, County Clare. Killinarden Community School, Dublin. Larkin Community College, Cathal Brugha St., Dublin. Meán Scoil Ioseph, Foxford, Ballina, County Mayo. Moyne Community School, County Longford. Our Lady's Secondary School, Castleblaney, County Monaghan. Presentation Secondary School, Limerick. Pobalscoil Neasain, Baldoyle, Dublin. Riversdale Community College, Blanchardstown, Dublin. St. Aidan's Community School, Tallaght, Dublin. St. Dominic's Secondary School, Ballyfermot, Dublin. St. David's CBS, Artane, Dublin. St. Declan's College, Cabra, Dublin. St. Kevin's Community College, Clondalkin, Dublin. St. Kilian's Community School, Bray, County Wicklow. St. Brigid's Vocational School, Loughrea, County Galway. St. Columba's College, Stranolar, County Donegal. St. Enda's School, Galway. St. Paul's Community College, Waterford. Wexford Vocational College, County Wexford. St. Oliver's Community College, Rathmullen, Drogheda, County Louth. St. Brendan's Community School, Birr, County Offaly. Terence MacSwiney Community College, Knocknaheeney, Cork. Ursuline Secondary School, Blackrock, Cork.
