CESI Meet Autumn '09 took place in the Digital Hub on Friday Sept 25th. It was a great mix of short and even shorter presentations, discussions, demonstrations, gadgets, questions, challenges – all fast and furious fun!!

There was real-world challenge in A Call to Arms challenging Irish teachers to share their resources through Camara with our colleagues in Malawi, as well as stories of the DISC project and ScoilNet Blogs here in Ireland. There were two virtual worlds, two Moodles, two very novel takes on Math education, and an Xtranormal robot. There were nice “toys” – a magical SmartPen, musical activities for students, and a HD camera that almost tales the pictures itself (hmmm...wonder how many orders have since been placed with Santa by those attending?). We had virtual attendees as well as real, from as far away as the Isle of Islay, the Isle of Wight, the USA – and Connemara!

To get a flavour of how the evening went, have a look at our short video...

The full list of presentations is as follows:

Mini (7 mins)
Tim Savage & Carina Girvan: 2nd Life on a USB key for 2nd level students (Trinity project)
Ian Roller: DISC project (ICT across inner-city disadvantaged schools)
Enda Donlon: Xtranormal - Text to Video
John Heffernan: NCTE ScoilNet Blogs
Stephen Howell: Using Smart Pens
Ursula Hearne: MicroWorlds as a creative environment for primary students
John Hennessy & Tony Knox: Using Moodle in Science & Math

Soapbox (15 mins)
Simon Lewis: Interactive Whiteboards - the wooden horse?
Adrienne Webb: Whither CESI?
John Hurley: Online CPD for Teachers - Where To Next?
Anne McMorrough: Innovation and Creativity in an Educational Setting: How eTwinning Contributes to ICT integration

Nano (2 mins)
Ban Ryan: Nintendo DS in the Maths class and other magic things
James Corbett: Openism and vitual worlds for Irish education
Ciaran McGuinness & Janice Feighery: Computer Clubhouse
Pat Seaver: A Call to Arms - supporting our worldwide colleagues
Clifford Brown: Creative Vado HD camera
Conor McLiam: Dizzler & Audacity: Free music for your iPod
Mark Glynn: Moodle in West Dublin schools

Our friends in the Computer Clubhouse and in Camara opened their doors to visitors, and we thank them for this hospitality.

Thanks to H2 and the Digital Hub staff for all the help in arranging a very enjoyable evening for all. Looking forward to the next one already...