Digital Skills and Online Safety
Forás (Evolution, Growth, Development) is a 33-hour programme developed in consultation with staff, students and parents in our school to support the transition of students from primary school to first year in St. Mary’s Academy CBS. One of the three main pillars of Forás is the delivery of an 11 hour Digital Skills and Online safety module to all 1st year students.
This module is based on the Connected resource from Webwise. Connected has been specifically designed for schools that wish to explore Online Wellbeing; News, Information and Problems of False Information; Big Data and the Data Economy; and My Rights Online. Connected aims to empower young people to be effective, autonomous and safe users of technology and online media.
Coding
The Transition Year Coding module is an opportunity for students to learn a new skill and create a web-based portfolio using HTML and CSS to display their TY coursework. Exploring how the Internet and World Wide Web function leads to a greater understanding, and appreciation, of the technology so prevalent in their everyday life.
Problem solving and computational thinking skills are developed in this course as students build and create software projects using their own ideas and imagination. The course looks to offer insight into possible future studies in computer science and software engineering.
In St. Mary’s Academy we participate in Hour of Code each year, a worldwide initiative encouraging students across the globe to code for 1 hour simultaneously to solve problems in a fun and engaging way.
Short Course ‘Intro to Coding and Video Game Design’, designed by our school, was accredited by the NCCA and provided a great platform for students to translate knowledge from their own hobbies into practical skills in coding.