Education innovation links up virtual pals
A cross-Border project which has helped children with special needs develop their communication skills has been a huge hit.
And today, friends who have chatted via video link since the start of the year will enjoy a day together at Dublin Zoo.
Information and communications technology (ICT) expert at the School of the Holy Spirit in Kilkenny, Karen Lowther, said the Dissolving Boundaries through Technology and Education programme, run with NUI Maynooth and the University of Ulster, has been a massive success.
“Twelve of our kids will come face to face with 10 of their pals from Cedar Lodge in Belfast at the zoo. It’s the first time that many will have met the children they’ve chatted to on the video phone for months.
“Their self-esteem has gone through the roof since they began the project.
“We’ve been involved with this programme for the past three years and have also had visits from teachers from the North over that time,” Ms Lowther said.
The School of the Holy Spirit caters for 37 children, aged four to 16, who have a variety of special needs including those on the autistic spectrum and children with behavioural and emotional difficulties. The ICT project has helped break down barriers between children, allowing them to chat openly in a safe environment.
“Our children’s communication skills are very weak so the fact they are conversing on the video link is a huge boost. The children here refer to the children in the North as their friends.
“For someone with special needs to refer to someone as their friend is a huge step. The fact they have been meeting in a non-threatening environment has been phenomenal. Monday will be just amazing,” Ms Lowther added.
The caring school will expand its numbers from 37 to 47 at the start of the next school term. And it hopes it will have its long-promised new school building soon.
As part of their work on the ICT programme, the school designed a poster depicting what the project has meant to them. The poster was of such a high quality that it is to be displayed at a major international conference on the use of ICT in education in San Diego, California, later this summer.
The children have revelled in the project. Alison Conway, 11, said “I think the Dissolving Boundaries programme is a great way to make new friends. The video link is really cool.”
There will be hugs and tears today as the 22 children who’ve chatted for months come face to face for what is set to be a remarkable day at Dublin Zoo.
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