Computer maker Dell and social enterprise Camara have joined forces to improve disadvantaged students’ access to ICT in education and in turn enhance their computer literacy skills in two schools in Dublin and Limerick.
The three-year partnership involves the establishment of eLearning Centres in Benincasa School in Blackrock, Dublin, and St Gabriels School, Dooradoyle, Limerick.
The two schools were chosen based on research of which ones would benefit from the resources on offer, said Liam Halpin, general manager of Dell Ireland.
Dell will provide 68 devices, including Dell Inspiron laptops and Dell XPS tablets, to both schools.
The programme will run for three years, and will also provide teachers with training so they can use the devices effectively in the classroom.
“Given technology is part of everything we do in our daily lives, ICT education is crucial in providing students with the best possibilities for the future,” said Halpin.
In Dublin, Camara will provide training focusing on two main areas of Google Apps Admin Training and Google Apps Teacher Training. The course will enable participants to extract the most benefit, functionality and interactivity from the apps available to them in the Google Apps suite.
In Limerick, Camara and Dell are working with the school’s staff around interactive whiteboards, Microsoft Office 2012, and Windows 7 and 8. Dell and Camara will provide ongoing support over the three years, including hardware upkeep and continued training sessions with staff.
John Fitzsimons, CEO of Camara Education, said this is one project which is part of Camara’s larger-scale work, and a strong example of how collaboration with large organisations within communities in which they operate can be beneficial for those working and living around them.
“Introducing technology at an early age is key for the younger generation,” said Fitzsimons. “It is wonderful to see just how engaged students in these schools are with the technology, and to envisage the opportunities which these advantages will present them in the future.”