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The overnight Oscar success that took years of hard work

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Staff at Ballyfermot College of Further Education have good cause to celebrate this week. One of their animation graduates, Richard Baneham, won an Oscar for his work on Avatar -- and two other graduates had also been nominated.

Staff only: Today's straight-A geniuses don't even know the basics

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

According to recent reports the number of perfect Leaving Certs with six A1 grades has risen by 500pc in recent years -- shocking, considering that a guy in my brother's class (let's call him Lucas O'Bréinbosca) only managed three As 20-odd years ago... and he's now the professor in an Oxbridge university. Oh yes, and he also plays piano, guitar and flute and while still a student was offered a contract by the manager of a famous Irish trad band. Never mind that, apparently he's a drooling slack-jawed thicko compared to today's Leaving Cert hot-shots.

In my opinion: Collaboration is key to international success

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

It has long been my firm belief that the future of higher education in Ireland will be best served by a network of collaborating institutions, each of which has a distinctive mission and develops international excellence in appropriate priority areas of teaching and research.

Will Church-free secondary schools get the go-ahead?

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

The multi-denominational group Educate Together is to step up its campaign to open its first second-level schools amid growing signs of Government reservations about the idea.

Staff only: Heard the one about the tall, blond Austrian PE teacher?

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Here's a variation on an old joke. "Question: what do you call a person who hangs around with educators? Answer: A PE teacher." This never seemed to ring with so much truth as when our new PE guy, Nickie Herzog, arrived a while back.

In my opinion: Listen more carefully to Deaf children's needs

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

The education and development needs of Deaf and hard of hearing children are critically unique, particularly in the very early developmental years.

Even Einstein failed exams. So, everything is relative

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

The mock Junior and Leaving Cert exams are already over in many schools. Over the past few weeks, thousands of pupils have had their first nerve-jangling experience of severe exam stress.

Staff only: Get used to disappointment and you'll be fine

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

If, like me, you are in a job that brings you into daily contact with the younger generation, then you too will have doubts about their ability to cope with this grave new world that offers them nothing but disappointment.

In my opinion: Why people respect this most noble of professions

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

UK Tory leader David Cameron recently pledged to raise standards in schools by turning teaching into "a noble profession".

Everyone has a degree but nobody can fix a carburettor

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

It is almost an article of faith in education. In order to succeed in life, every school pupil must go on to university. A well qualified workforce is regarded as the foundation stone of a successful economy, but some academics are beginning to question the received wisdom that all young people should aspire to a degree.

So you want to enrol in a film or TV course?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

BA in film and TV production at the National Film School

Movie-making skills can start in school

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Irish school students will learn film-making and other digital skills as part of a new transition year programme.

'We are being denied freedom of choice'

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Parents of children at five multi-denominational schools in Lucan are furious that their hopes for an Educate Together second-level school have so far been thwarted.

Pressure can start as early as first year

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

As a person who managed to come out the other side of the Junior Cert alive (barely) recently, I know first-hand all about the stresses of exams.

Staff only: The view from both sides of the staff room door

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Picture this -- it could be any teacher, but let's say it's me; I'm in the staff room for big break and I put the question out there: "Did any of you find Transition Year unbearable today?" No answer -- just grunting and chewing.

USI boss says capping numbers will not work

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Peter Mannion, President of the Union of Students of Ireland, says the government should not cap the number of students going to college as a knee-jerk reaction to our present financial crisis.

In my opinion: Real competition and flexibility are urgently needed

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

In recent weeks there have been calls to expand the number of third-level, further education and training places to provide additional opportunities for people who have lost their jobs during the current recession. I concur. Even though third-level places are at an all-time high, there is a need to ensure that our workforce is upskilled to take advantage of any upturn.