Clay Animation Project for Irish Language Development
This project (a Diaego Liberties Learning Initiative Project) aims to integrate digital technology into the primary school curriculum in particular for the teaching of Gaeilge. With the emphasis on oral language development in the curriculum, this project allows children to create and narrate their own stories and animate them using digital cameras and art materials. This makes the experience of learning Irish enjoyable and engaging. The project also integrates literature, music, art and design with technology in the classroom. Stories are scripted in Irish and storyboards are designed to direct the animation. Characters for the animation are constructed from modelling clay or plasticine and a set for the story is constructed using a variety of art materials. The lighting and camera are put in place and action scenes photographed. The voiceovers and narration are recorded and the animation is created using Videoblender software. Completed animations can be shared with other classes and can be used as resources in teaching Gaeilge. It is possible for classes to share their animations over the Internet or as digital movies.
Clifford Brown is a primary school teacher in St.Brigid’s N.S. Castleknock, Dublin 15 and is seconded to work as Project Coordinator for the Diaego Liberties Learning Initiative in The Digital Hub. His work involves him in providing classroom support and professional development for 42 primary and post-primary teachers in the Liberties area of Dublin who are involved in the Digital Control Technology Project and the Clay Animation Project. He has extensive experience in professional development courses in ICT for teachers and has a particular interest in integrating technology into the everyday learning process in the classroom.