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Eight Laptops Initiative teachers undertook formal software provide advice and support to teachers using software in their classrooms. evaluations for Software Central – a site created by the NCTE to provide advice and support to teachers using software in their classrooms.
Noel Cassidy, from Coláiste Eoin in Dublin, provided an evaluation of Kidspiration based on his use of it to support the writing strand of the English Junior Certificate curriculum. Noel described its use in planning creative writing, in preparing visual aids to assist students with revision of prepared novels, and to plan in answering questions on novels.
Katherine Bates, from St. Paul’s Community School in Waterford, evaluated Clicker 4 and its use as a cross-curricular tool for developing literacy skills in a ‘special’ class setting with first year post-primary students. She aimed to teach the students how to compose, create, construct and publish their own personal narratives using the package.
Helen Ahern, from the Presentation Secondary School in Limerick, evaluated Lexia as a support for the English curriculum, with especial reference to phonics, word meanings, oral language and reading comprehension with students who were struggling to access the normal curriculum.
Patricia Fielding, from St. Joseph’s Secondary School in Foxford, Co. Mayo, evaluated Wordshark. Using a variety of learning modes available through the software – notably the visual and the aural – she used it to reinforce phonics and word recognition skills with Junior cycle students who were experiencing literacy difficulties.
Paul Masterson, in St. Enda’s School in Galway, evaluated the use of speech input through Dragon Naturally Speaking with two students with Dyslexia. These had a particular difficulty with writing and transferring what they knew onto paper, and learned to do this with the speech input available through the software.
Marian Fitzpatrick, from Coláiste Dhúlaigh in Dublin, evaluated the use of Spinout Stories in promoting literacy and interest in reading amongst students with reading difficulties. Used to support the overall English curriculum, Marian also applied the software to enhance comprehension skills and creative writing.
Lucille O’Sullivan, from Causeway Comprehensive School in Co. Kerry, evaluated Start to Finish Books. Aimed at struggling readers, Lucille’s evaluation outlines her use of the software to promote competency and interest in reading, along with enhanced comprehension.
Rita Quinn, from Gairm Scoil Mhuire in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, evaluated Kurzweil 3000. Working with an Ordinary Level Junior Certificate class, Rita used this title to scan texts and read them back to students, along with many related and useful functions available on the software.
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