Thanks to the funding provided under Circular 60/2021, our school has made a significant stride in addressing the digital divide for students at risk of educational disadvantage. This support enabled us to purchase new touchscreen laptops and iPads, which are now available for flexible use across the school, to upgrade our internet and WiFi architecture so as to support the increased number of devices, and to install a new student server to enable the creation of digital portfolios for the pupils of our school where they can save and work on projects across different devices.
Ballygarvan National School received a grant in 2021 to implement initiatives aimed at addressing the digital divide and support our learners at risk of educational disadvantage as a consequence, as part of the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) a project under the Recovery and Resilience Facility funded by the European Union through NextGenerationEU.
These devices are helping to bridge the gap for students who may not have reliable access to digital technology at home, allowing them to engage fully in learning both inside and outside the classroom. Already, this investment is having a meaningful impact; empowering students to access the curriculum in ways that suit their individual learning styles, use online resources effectively, edit and complete assignments across devices, and develop vital digital literacy skills. It has also opened up new opportunities for creative expression through STEAM activities, 3D printing design challenges and coding classes.
We remain committed to using this funding in line with the principles of Universal Design for Learning, ensuring all students benefit from more inclusive and equitable learning experiences.
