Wriggle from Typetec has kicked off its first mobile learning programme with the largest ever delivery of iPads to a single school in Ireland today. The new brand represents the IT provider’s education division and the Wriggle 1:1 programme will be introduced in 21 schools across Ireland for the 2012/2013 academic year.
Typetec plans to invest more than €500,000 in the programme over the next three years, creating more than 25 jobs by 2014.
“We created a separate identity for the education division at Typetec to reflect the growth and confidence we have in this side of our business,” said Beryl Furlong, director of education at Wriggle. “We believe that digital learning has become a vital part of our future. In Wriggle, we have developed a 1:1 mobile learning programme based on more than 20 years of practical experience and grounded in academic research.”
Digital schoolbag
Wriggle 1:1 intends to introduce schools to the use of mobile devices and digital textbooks – a ‘digital schoolbag’, as it were. Today, 218 secondary school students at Malahide Community School received iPads as part of the programme.
“Malahide Community School chose to introduce iPads in order to enhance the learning experience for our students,” said the school’s principal, Patricia McDonagh. “iPads can promote students’ key skills for collaboration, communication and creativity, which will be fundamental to the new Junior Certificate and future working life. We are excited by this new adventure as leaders of learning and delighted by the professional support we are getting from Wriggle.”
The whole package
Wriggle has developed what it believes is the complete package needed for each school to make the transition from traditional to digital textbooks, catering both to students and teachers. Wriggle provides the technology, mobile devices, access to digital textbooks and interactive content, professional development for teachers, comprehensive support, and expert advice on ICT planning for schools.
“There are a huge number of benefits associated with 1:1 mobile learning,” said Furlong. “It offers students a lighter ‘digital schoolbag’, allows for more interactive learning and helps them to develop new and necessary 21st-century skills. Ultimately, it prepares students for the needs of a modern workplace and community.”