Any teacher who has been on this planet in the last few years will know that one sure way to get through to your class is by baffling them with technology.
Schools will therefore be pleased to know that a competition to win a CDServesystem, capable of allowing many pupils to use CDs on their computers at the same time, has been extended.
The competition closing date has now been pushed back to December 14th.
The CDServe, made by CMS Peripherals in Co Mayo, cuts down costs for schools which would normally have to buy several CDROMs for pupils to follow activities on their computers.
It also gives the teacher control over the CDs and allows him or her to monitor how pupils use them.
A number of schools in Dublin have already been making great use of the CDServe. Tom Brady is Project Manager of the Dublin Inner City Schools Project which helps schools in less affluent areas to obtain necessary hardware and software.
Five of the schools in his project have installed the CDServe in their schools. "It makes a huge difference to the schools," he says.
"The use of educational software is now viable. A teacher can now come into the classroom in comfort and not have to worry that one of the CDs is missing. All 15 computers are able to run the software."
Brady also says the use of the CDROM as an educational tool sends a message out to pupils that computers are not just to be used during information technology classes.
"They can use computers when they are studying maths, for example," he says. "They see the computer as a teaching/learning tool and it broadens possibilities for its use."
The competition for the CDServe, organised by CMS Peripherals in association with Education and Living, has been running for two weeks and some interesting entries have already been sent in. Primary schools have been asked to submit a picture of the most terrifying, ugly millennium bug they can imagine while second-level schools must design a CD cover which could be used for an imaginary Irish Mulitmedia Encyclopedia CD-ROM.
Schools can use hand-drawn images or can demonstrate their knowledge of up-to-date software with a computer-generated image.
The two lucky schools which manage to win over the judges with their entries each will receive an Eduserve package which will allow a minimum of 10 CDs to be used at the same time.
Each school will also receive three CDs to be used in the classroom. The competition is restricted to classes rather than individuals.
Entries are to be sent to CMS Peripherals Ltd, Aiden Street, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo. For further information contact Tom Keane or Niamh Charlton at CMS Peripherals (tel: (094) 81871).
