Students and teachers in Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny, will be the first in Europe to pilot Samsung’s Smart School Solution. The education partnership will demonstrate the potential benefits of introducing new technology to the classroom.
Samsung’s Smart School Solution is a fully integrated one-to-one learning platform that enables teachers to create an interactive learning environment using devices such as the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet, a 65-inch interactive e-board, and an AllShare Cast Dongle to allow for wireless streaming of content.
Three systems
The solution consists of three integrated systems. The Interactive Management Solution allows teachers to lead interactive lessons and digital-based group activities utilising touchscreen technology and content-sharing features. The teacher can decide to share their own screen or that of an individual student with the class while also monitoring students’ progress in real-time. Teachers can also command the attention of the class by locking screens using a simple voice command.
A Learning Management System provides course materials such as textbooks as e-books, educational apps and timetables, school notices, and forums for access by students any time, while the Student Information System lets teachers track attendance, grades, prizes and demerit points.
“This innovative solution gives teachers freedom from the confines of a blackboard or projector and allows them to move about the classroom, conducting interactive lessons and activities through their touchscreen tablet or notebook computer,” said Gary Twohig, general manager of Samsung Telecommunications and Network Ireland.
First in Europe
Loreto Kilkenny is the first school in Europe to trial this scheme. The system has previously been introduced to schools in South Korea, the US and other locations and research says the digital classroom platform has demonstrated improvements in class convenience, engagement and comprehension.
“Finding new and relevant ways to engage students is very important to the learning environment,” said school principal Colm Keher. “We must go beyond the blackboard and adopt new technologies into our teaching environments, and give our students easy access to technologies.”
