April 2016 Launch of New Digital Multimedia Textbooks on the 1916 Rising

 NUI Galway School of Education combine technology and history for new classroom iBooks

The story of the 1916 Rising in Dublin is told in two new multi-touch books Scéal 1916 & The Story of 1916 produced as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. They are packed with videos, interactivity and multimedia to engage readers with an authentic learning experience, which brings this period of Irish history to life.The iBooks were launched today at Scoil Chroí Íosa in Galway city.

The publications were produced by Seán Ó Grádaigh, Lecturer in Education at NUI Galway, in collaboration with partners, Century Ireland, Boston College, National Library of Ireland, COGG and the School of Education at NUI Galway.

“These resources were built as iBooks using iBooks Author which allows teachers to create stunning multi-touch textbooks” remarked Seán Ó Grádaigh. “The rich digital media content and interactivity along with the built-in assessment and accessibility features facilitate all types of learners in a way that the printed page never could.”

At the launch, Dr Jim Browne, NUI Galway President remarked: “This year marks a special moment of national reflection for all citizens.  This project ensures that schools have a wonderful new interactive tool to help teachers and students to learn more about 1916 in a dynamic and fun way.  I’m delighted that NUI Galway has been involved in this effort and I’d like to congratulate Seán Ó Grádaigh and all the team involved in putting together such an engaging publication.”

Mary Fleming, Head of the School of Education, NUI Galway said “The teaching of educational technology and in particular content creation for education is a key focus on our teacher education programmes. We hope that these new resources will engage and be enjoyed by teachers and learners in both primary and second-level schools”

Speaking at the launch, John Concannon, Director of Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, said: “Bringing history to life for young people was always a core ambition of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.  This multimedia book is a great example of how that can be done.  We are delighted to support it.” 

Scéal 1916 & The Story of 1916 were launched on Friday April 22 in Scoil Chroí Íosa, Newcastle Road, Galway. The books are now available as free downloads from the iBook Store.  https://itun.es/ie/erY1bb.n

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 Téacsleabhair dhigiteacha ilmheánacha faoi Éirí Amach 1916 á gcur amach ag Scoil an Oideachais, OÉ Gaillimh

Déanann an dá leabhar idirghníomhacha seo Scéal 1916 & The Story of 1916 cur síos ar an méid a tharla i mBaile Átha Cliath le linn Éirí Amach 1916. Tá físeáin, tascanna idirghníomhacha agus gnéithe ilmheánacha fite fuaite trí na leabhair chun aird an fhoglaimeora a ghabháil. Go deimhin, is mar gheall ar idirghníomhaíocht seo a éiríonn leis na leabhair léargas bríomhar ar a tharla sa tréimhse seo i stair na hÉireann a chur ar fáil.

 Is é Seán Ó Grádaigh, léachtóir de chuid Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh a rinne na leabhair i gcomhar le Century Ireland, Boston College, Leabharlann Náisiúnta na hÉireann, COGG agus Scoil an Oideachais, OÉ Gaillimh.

 “Is iBooks iad na háiseanna seo ar úsáideach iBooks Author chun iad a chur i dtoll a chéile,” a dúirt Seán Ó Grádaigh. “Freastalaíonn na leabhair ar riachtanais na gcineálacha éagsúla foghlaimeoirí ar bhealach nach bhféadfadh leabhar clóite a dhéanamh riamh a bhuí leis an ábhar digiteach, an idirghníomhaíocht agus an measúnú atá lárnach sna leabhair.”

Dúirt Uachtarán na hOllscoile, Dr Jim Browne, ag an seoladh: “Is bliain speisialta í seo do shaoránaigh uile na hÉireann chun machnamh a dhéanamh ar stair na tíre. Cinntíonn an togra seo go bhfuil uirlis iontach idirghníomhach ag scoileanna le go mbeidh múinteoirí agus daltaí in ann foghlaim a dhéanamh faoi Éirí Amach 1916 ar bhealach atá spraíúil agus fuinniúil. Is cúis áthais dom go raibh baint ag Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh leis an togra seo agus ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le Seán Ó Grádaigh agus leis an bhfoireann uile faoin bhfoilseachán tarraingteach seo a chur le chéile.

“Cuirtear an-bhéim ar mhúineadh na teicneolaíochta don oideachas ar na cláir oiliúna múinteoirí atá againn agus dírítear ar ábhar a chruthú ach go háirithe,” a mhínigh Mary Fleming, Ceann Scoil an Oideachais, OÉ Gaillimh, “tá súil againn go mbainfidh idir mhúinteoirí agus daltaí ag leibhéal na bunscoile agus ag leibhéal na meánscoile araon tairbhe as na háiseanna.”

Dúirt John Concannon, Stiúrthóir ar Ireland 2016, “Ag cur beocht agus beatha sa stair don aos Óg, sin croí aidhm le clár comórtha céad bliain 2016. Sampla iontach is ea an leabhar ilmheáin seo ar conas an sprioc sin a bhaint amach. Tá an-áthas orainn tacú leis.”

Seolfar Scéal 1916 & The Story of 1916 ar an Aoine 22 Aibreán, i Scoil Chroí Íosa, Bóthar an Chaisleáin Nua, Gaillimh. Is féidir na leabhair a íoslódáil soar in aisce ón iBook Store anois. https://itun.es/ie/

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