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EdTech In Teaching

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What is EdTech?

EdTech is the practice of introducing IT tools into the classroom to create a more engaging, inclusive and individualized learning experience.

EdTech tools are changing classrooms in a variety of ways: making it easy for students to stay engaged through fun forms of learning, assisting teachers with grading tests and holding students accountable for homework.

What Are The Benefits Of EdTech For Students And Teachers?

Students

An influx of technology is opening up new avenues of learning for students of all ages, while also promoting collaboration and inclusivity in the classroom.

Teachers

Teachers are seeing educational tech as a means to develop efficient learning practices and save time in the classroom.

Paperless Classroom

Printing budgets and wasting paper are a thing of the past thanks to edtech. Classrooms that have gone digital bring about an easier way to correct tests, lessen the burden of having to safeguard hundreds of homework files and promote overall greener policies in the classroom.   

Engaging Lessons

EdTech promotes a more interactive classroom.

Apps such as Kahoot! , Microsoft Teams, Zoom etc offer games and activities that the whole class can participate in together.

It introduces fun while learning and the students are more likely to remember the information they were given during the lesson, as opposed to a traditional classroom environment where the students sit in silence and listen to the teacher read from a book.

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Benefits Of STEM Education For Children

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education is an essential part of a young child’s education. But STEM education goes beyond classroom curriculum and teaching children an appreciation for math and technology.

Benefits Of STEM Education For Children

Students learn in a healthy atmosphere during STEM education activities that encourage them to fail and try again. STEM education emphasises the importance of failure as a learning exercise that will encourage students to tolerate errors as part of the learning process. This encourages students to create trust and endurance, enabling them to keep working when the going gets tough.

Students of all skill levels can be taught STEM education. In teams, students of various skill levels will work together to find solutions to problems, document data, give presentations, etc.

Students who understand how to interact with others and succeed in a team-oriented atmosphere are the end product.

STEM learning teaches children about the potential of creativity and technology. So, as students experience emerging technology, they will be prepared to accept them instead of being reluctant or afraid. This will give them the upper hand in the global landscape, as the world is becoming increasingly tech-centred.

By using their critical thinking skills, STEM education teaches students how to solve issues. Students learn how to analyse challenges and then develop a strategy to address them by engaging in STEM learning experiences.

STEM learning promotes imagination and creativity Students are taught skills in STEM education that they can use in the real world. It inspires students to learn as they recognise that the skills they develop will be applied instantly and in ways that positively affect them.

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Save Time with iClass

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With so much to do and so little time, it’s no wonder why so many educators and teachers are reluctant to get involved with their school’s website.

But regardless of whether you’re a school website administrator, article publisher or simply a blog commenter, iClass simplifies all aspects of running a school website.

It’s designed with the user in mind and every single function, from posting articles about recent events to setting up registration forms for upcoming trips, can be completed in under 60 seconds.

This means that any member of your school’s faculty can get help out with the school website should they want to, irrespective of their computer literacy or technical knowledge.

This includes students, who can publish their own articles, blogs and newsletters via the dedicated Student Publishing module.

It’s no secret that teachers are constantly pressed for time, which is why so many are hesitant to take on more responsibilities.

But with iClass, anyone can jump right in and start managing and publishing content in less than a minute, from students to the principal.

For more information, or to request a free website review or iClass demo, please get in touch with us today.

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5 Benefits of an iClass School Website

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Still on the fence about updating your school’s website? Check out the following benefits of iClass school websites.

1. Content Management and Publishing

The main advantage websites offer is content management and publishing, which enables schools to store and display important information about the school.

From basic information such as contact details and the school’s location to dedicated channels for news, upcoming events and the curriculum, your iClass website acts as the central source of info for your school.

2. Event Registration

All school websites built with iClass feature an event registration module that simplifies event management and saves time for parents and teachers.

The module allows schools to publish events complete with registration forms and payment options, enabling parents to register students for events with a few quick clicks.

3. Free Parent Teacher Communication 

Cut the costs of parent teacher communication completely with the iClass app, a fully integrated app educators can use to message parents at any time.

4. Mobile Responsive

It’s essential that your school’s website is responsive to mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, and all iClass websites are fully mobile responsive, ensuring your website can be accessed at any time, on any device.

5. Student Enrolement 

Drive student enrolement with an online presence and allow parents to fully enrol digitally through the dedicated enrolement feature.

For more information, or to order a free website review, get in touch with us today.

 

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iClass at IPPN Conference 2019

iClass is exhibiting at this year’s IPPN Conference at the Citywest Convention Centre on Thursday, 24th and Friday 25th of January.

iClass is the number one website and mobile app solution for schools, and comes with a range of features that simplify content management and greatly reduce the costs of communicating with parents.

All tasks can be completed in under 60 seconds, and the system interface is streamlined and user-friendly.

Improve the Google ranking of your school’s website and cut the time it takes to enrol students with the digital enrolment form.

iClass is the only content solution that comes with a fully integrated app, enabling free communication between teachers and parents.

For more information about iClass, please quick here, or visit us at stand A13 at IPPN Conference 2019 at the Citywest Convention Centre on Thursday 24th, and Friday 25th of January.

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Upcoming Event: iClass at Microsoft Breakout

Microsoft is bringing it’s free Microsoft Breakout learning event to the iconic Thomond Park, Co. Limerick, on Wednesday 7th of November for a day of technology workshops and demonstrations.

iClass will be among the exhibitors at next week’s event, which aims to give teachers a new understanding of technology tools such as Office 365 and how they can be used to improve the learning experience for teachers and students.

The first seminar, ‘Class Notebook, CBA, Assessment for Learning and E-Portfolio with Rosin Beaver’ covers software and programs ideal for assessment while the second seminar ‘Collaboration within Microsoft Teams with Brendan Cawley’ discusses the use of Microsoft Teams to support educators and school administrations.

Third on the agenda is ‘Office 365 on iPad with Jamie Johnston’, a workshop on how to leverage the benefits of Office 365, followed by ‘Accessibility and Learning Tools with Sean Glynn’, a detailed look at some of the best edtech learning tools you can introduce to the classroom today.

Don’t forget to visit the iClass stall at Microsoft Breakout to learn more about iClassCMS, the number one website and mobile app solution for schools of all levels.

Click here to register for Microsoft Breakout for free, and please get in touch if you would like to know more about iClass or participate in a free website review.

Book a live demo

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iClassCMS at Microsoft Breakout

We are pleased to announced iClass will be exhibiting at the  Microsoft Breakout event at Thomand Park, Limerick, on Wednesday 7th of November.

Microsoft Breakout is a free event designed to show teachers how technology can be successfully used in the classroom for teaching and learning.

The event takes place at Thomand Park on Cratloe Road, Co. Limerick, from 8.30am – 13.00pm on Wednesday, 7th of November.

A range of experienced speakers will be on hand to discuss the latest classroom technology tools such as Class Notebook and Office365 on iPad and how they can be used to improve the teaching and learning experience for both teachers and students.

Refreshments and lunch will be served during the day and all attendees can avail of a complimentary tour around the Thormond Park Museum.

Visit the iClassCMS exhibitor stall at Microsoft Breakout to learn about iClass, the number one website and mobile app solution for schools.

With a best in class website that engages students and parents, and a fully integrated mobile app that enables schools and parents to communicate for free, iClass makes content management a quick a simple task.

Click here to register for Microsoft Breakout for free, and please get in touch if you would like to know more about iClass or participate in a free website review.

Book a live demo

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Reminder: iClass at NAPD Conference 2018

iClassCMS will be at this year’s National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals Conference 2018 at the Galmont Hotel & Spa, on Lough Atalia Road, Galway.

Taking place on Thursday, 18th, and Friday, 19th of October, the NAPD Conference 2018 is the biggest annual event for second level school leaders.

This year’s NAPD Conference features a range of workshops that offer advice and inspiration on how to approach the challenges second level schools face today, plus an excellent lineup of speakers discussing the biggest teaching issues and developments in Ireland and around the world.

iClass is launching a new partnership with NAPD during the conference, so make sure to visit the iClassCMS exhibition stall to learn more about our work with NAPD.

We’ll also have an exclusive offer available for NAPD Conference 2018 attendees and info about the iClassCMS platform and how it can benefit your school.

For more about the NAPD Conference 2018 including how to register, please visit napdconference.com.

For details about iClassCMS and how to avail of a free website review, click here.

Book a live demo

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5 Tips For Keeping School Websites Safe

Cybercrime is on the rise around the world and with so many different forms of data and data collection now in use, there’s never been a greater need for robust security when it comes to school websites.

While modern cybercrime techniques employ innovative methods for gaining access to private information, it is possible to protect personal data by following a few simple steps.

1. Encrypt all devices

It’s extremely important to encrypt the central device used by the school to store data about students, parents, teachers and admin. It also recommended that any device used by staff remains encrypted at all times to prevent unathorised access.

2. Perform regular backups

Ransomware attacks involve an outside party taking control of your device and preventing you from accessing data on it. By backing up the school’s data on a regular basis, you’ll reduce the likelihood of losing all data in the event of an attack.

3. Create awareness

It’s advisable to not only spread awareness of good technology habits and the threat of cybercrime among staff, but also students. More and more schools are introducing technology into their lessons, so it’s vital that students understand how to stay safe when using the internet.

4. Secure email with multi-step verficiation

Most email providers offer multi-step verification, and it’s a good idea to use it whenever possible. It makes it harder for criminals to access email accounts if they obtain your password, as they will need to input a unique code sent to a personal device of your choosing, such as a smartphone.

5. Update software when available

Out of date software is more vulnerable to exploitation, so remember to update software whenever a new version is made available. Most programs will alert you when a new update is ready for download so all you have to do is click.

iClassCMS features the latest security measures against all forms of cybercrime. To learn more, or request a free website review, please get in touch here.

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GDPR And Your School

Boost School SEO

When the General Data Protection Regulation launched on May 25th of this year, many school’s were unsure of how the new rules would impact their websites.

One of the biggest changes of the new framework was the need for consent when it comes to collecting and publishing sensitive data.

Sensitive data in this case refers to the data of all students, staff and parents, and as a result it’s essential that your school website both explains how personal data is processed and asks for permission to store such data.

It’s vital that consent is given clearly and explicitly before any personal data is processed, and parental consent must be given for the school to process the data of any child under the age of 18.

Failure to follow the rules as set out in the General Data Protection Regulation can result in large fines so it’s essential that everyone who has access to the website back end understands the new laws.

iClassCMS school websites are GDPR compliant and in line with all current data laws.

For more information, please get in touch with us today.

Book a live demo

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