Posts in category: Partnerships

Training & Support to be offered to Youth Workers and Foróige senior managers

Camara Education Ireland which runs the national TechSpace network, has received a €530,000 grant from Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, to deliver computer science training, equipment, and ongoing support to over 300 youth workers and 48 senior managers in 60 Foróige youth groups around the country.

Camara Education’s TechSpace program inspires young people to get creative with technology, and to gain new skills through ‘learning by doing’.  With around 400,000 young people engaged with the youth sector every year, the partnership between Camara and Foróige is designed to have a major impact on how technology is used in youth groups  across the country. 60 new TechSpace sites – double the existing number – will be established in Foróige youth groups, including in Ringsend and Pearse Street, adjacent to Google’s EMEA headquarters. The youth groups will also receive a total of 360 computers to support the project’s implementation.

The funding from Google.org will enable Camara to develop and deliver training and support in 2019 to 300 youth workers and 48 senior managers to facilitate Computer Science activities through the TechSpace programme.   Youth workers will also be offered a bursary to complete a Level 8 National University of Ireland Certificate in ‘Digital Creativity in Youth Settings’ which will include a module in Computer Science education. This is a special purpose program run in partnership with Maynooth University, designed to significantly impact the adoption of technology in the youth sector.  Additionally the project will create a Computer Science in Youth Work Toolkit to be made available to youth workers nationwide, containing best practices, activity guidelines and resources.

Speaking at the launch of the programme today in Foróige The Big Picture Youth Club, Tallaght, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone said, “Opportunities for creativity are hugely beneficial to young people. It allows them to express themselves in fun and innovative ways. Creativity in technology has the additional benefit of allowing young people to develop skills in problem solving and critical analysis. I welcome this wonderful initiative and look forward to seeing the TechSpace programme grow across the country.”

Shane Nolan, Director of New Business Sales for EMEA and Community Outreach Lead for Google Ireland said, “We are delighted to be supporting this innovative partnership between Camara and Foróige. There’s a great buzz of excitement around Computer Science these days, with its introduction for the first time as a Leaving Certificate subject earlier this month, and potentially soon to be available at other stages in the school curriculum. More than ever, it is critical that all students have access to Computer Science education – both in and out of school. Computer science education is a pathway to innovation, to creativity and to exciting career opportunities in the 21st century, and Google believes that all students deserve these opportunities. ”

Marianne Checkley, CEO of Camara Ireland, commented, “We are really proud to be part of this innovative project that expands the use of technology as a catalyst for youth development. Digital media and new technologies can be wonderful tools to ignite young people’s curiosity, creativity and confidence. Used effectively they can enhance social awareness and contribute to an ability to engage as active citizens. They can also help to build young people’s sense of agency and enable them to develop new knowledge and skills, and provide platforms for their voices to be heard. ”

Seán Campbell, CEO of Foróige, said “This exciting initiative will make it possible for over 3,000 young people across Ireland to develop a suite of computer science skills that will set them on the pathway for success in the 21st Century. It will challenge young people to harness their innate interest in technology for the betterment of their own lives, their communities and society. In many ways, computer science has become as important as reading, writing and maths, making this partnership between Camara Ireland, Foróige and Google hugely important.”

A recent visit to Mombasa, Kenya allowed Camara Education’s Maria O’Brien encounter first hand the impact technology enhanced education has on students; one school in particular stood out to her.

During a visit to Tom Mboya Boys school in Mombasa, Maria immediately stumbled upon a yellow poster, a poster which exhibited the significantly low investment the government contributes to the school; some as little as 1 euro per learner per six months.

A pleasant occurrence transpired following this initial encounter; she experienced the significance of the Camara computers to the learners. Tom Mboya Boys school is an appreciative receiver of Camara’s support; including a Dell funded eLearning centre. An eLearning centre which, Maria noted, the children “refused to leave”. Maths games and learning about mountain formations are two of many educational activities the learners partake in with the assistance of the Camara computers.

Though, not to overlook the teacher’s impact on the student’s education. Mr Bai; who is both the Senior and the computer studies teacher, was voted second in the county for the Best teacher award. An achievement made possible through Dell’s funding, Camara’s continuous work and undoubtedly; Mr. Bai’s passion for teaching.

Tom Mboya Boys school is a particularly incredible illustration of the impact integrating I.T into education has both on the learners and educators. Both Mr. Bai and the learners are the embodiment of the positive effects technology can have on both the providers and receivers of education.

Camara’s ambitious plans to empower 3 million disadvantaged students supported by Google.org

€560,000 grant to fund outreach in 70 schools in Ireland and Kenya

Monday, 26th June 2017:  Camara Education, the Irish NGO which recently announced ambitious plans to positively impact the lives of 3 million disadvantaged students, has announced an exciting new venture supported by Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google.

Camara Education’s mission is to transform education using technology,  empowering disadvantaged students in both Ireland and Kenya.   A €560,000 grant from Google.org will see Camara delivering technology planning, teacher professional development  and computers to 44  schools in Ireland and 26 schools in Kenya, impacting the lives of 29,000 students.

In Ireland, Camara’s work will support the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools and help to address specific goals in the 2017 Action Plan released by Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton last week.  The in-depth engagement with the schools includes development of a whole school technology plan, provision of computers, and a suite of innovative professional learning experiences for teachers and principals.  Education bodies like Educate Together, Trinity Access 21, the NAPD (National Association for Principals and Deputy Principals), and the JMB (Joint Managerial Body) will be involved in the programme.

Commenting on the partnership, Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton said, “It is great to see organisations like Camara and Google.org working together to support schools in embedding the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning, complementing the measures that will be implemented through my Department’s Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020.”  

In partnership with the national network of Education Centres, Camara will also be making an ‘Introduction to  Computer Science’ course  available to all teachers across the country. Teachers will be introduced to CS First, Google’s online programme for Computer Science education for 9-14 year olds that aims to increase students confidence when using computers and grow their perseverance to tackle difficult problems.

John Fitzsimons, Camara Education CEO said; “Our vision is to deliver real impact through technology and to inspire and empower a young generation to improve their life opportunities.  Working with educational institutions to support them in the integration of technology to deliver better educational outcomes, better grades and 21st Century Skills is the core of our work.  Being supported by Google.org is hugely significant and will help us reach our ambitious target of impacting an additional 3 million learners over the next three years”.

Shane Nolan, Director, Google Ireland said; “At Google, we’re passionate about how new technologies can transform the way we learn.  Camara Education shares our belief in the power of technology and education to inspire and empower young people to develop critical skills for their futures.  We are pleased to partner with Camara in its work in Ireland and Kenya.   

“In particular, we are excited that Camara will help Irish teachers develop the confidence and skills to introduce Computer Science (CS) in the primary school classroom. Embedding CS as a fundamental and rigorous subject throughout the entire school curriculum – including the introduction of CS as a Leaving Certificate subject from 2018 – will support and encourage the next generation of technology leaders and problem solvers who will help drive a new wave of innovation in Ireland”.  

As part of the partnership with Camara, Google employees are also volunteering in Camara’s Dublin office, sharing their knowledge and skills with the Camara team.

For further information please contact:

Camara

Steven Daly, CEO Camara Ireland,

steven@camara.org, 086 8231328

Google

Laurie Mannix,  MKC Google Press Office,

press-ie@google.com, 086 8143710