Presented by: Rory McGann and Anthony Kilcoyne
This session outlines a rich reciprocal learning relationship between partner schools, ITE sector (Dept. of STEM Education, Mary Immaculate College), and support services (PDST Technology in Education), detailing an approach to the cross-fertilisation of ICT-related ideas and sharing of technology-related practice across the continuum of teacher education through the First LEGO League Jr initiative. Attendees will acquire an overview of the theoretical and practical activities associated with the initiative, as experienced by 12 schools, 200+ pupils, 30 preservice teachers. The session will also outline plans to extend collaborative practice across the continuum in areas such as constructionism, creativity & computational thinking using LEGO Education materials at a national level.
Through both teaching and research activity, Rory promotes the development and integration of digital technology-related innovations within the field of initial teacher education. Rory is actively engaged in a number of collaboration, community engagement and research development projects, both national and international, and has received various funding to support same. Rory is currently engaged in doctoral studies where he is exploring the role of creativity in initial teacher education.