Tánaiste Launches NEW Website on The Grand canal Designed by St Ronan’s National School, Deansrath

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Harney today (Thursday 31st May, 2001) launched a new website (www.sip.ie/sip070) on the Grand Canal designed by the teachers and the 4th, 5th and 6th class pupils of St Ronan’s National School, Deansrath, Dublin 22.

The website details the results of an in-depth study of the Grand Canal and has been developed as part of the Schools Integration Project which is supported by the National Centre for Technology in Education. The purpose of the project was to investigate the effect of using ICT, in addition to traditional research methods, to complete a project on the Grand Canal. The project also aimed to foster cooperation, self-esteem, confidence and pride among the students in their local area.

The Tánaiste said "I am delighted to launch this innovative and exciting website which will be of interest to many people in the community. The "Web" is a powerful research tool that provides users with a window to the world, overcoming disadvantages of both scale and location. I know that the teachers and pupils involved in the research and design of this website have now gained very useful skills and knowledge and have achieved a high level of competency in the use of computers, printers, scanners, digital cameras and digital camcorders."

In a separate initiative called Disolving Boundaries Through Technology, 5th class students from St. Ronan’s National School twinned with students in Largymore Primary School in Belfast and exchanged ideas and information on various topics through video conferencing. The students have established a website (www.iol.ie/~stronans) detailing this experience.

The Tánaiste said "The establishment of these websites reflect a forward-looking approach, which I know will become an example for other schools to emulate. I congratulate all concerned in making St. Ronan’s National School embrace the future in this way and I heartily commend these very excellent initiatives."