In 2015, the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education published the report ‘Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: A Roadmap for Enhancement in a Digital World 2015-2017’. One of the recommendations of this roadmap was to support ‘A co-ordinated, multilevel approach to foster digital literacy, skills and confidence among students at all levels of education needs to be developed’. In response to this recommendation the National Forum with Ireland’s higher education institutions will facilitate ‘All Aboard 2017’, a week-long series of national and regional public events designed to build confidence in Ireland’s digital skills for learning.

The Institute of Technology, Tralee, in partnership with the Shanakill Family Resource Centre, Tralee and the Kerry College of Further Education, will host a Digital Identity & Well-being Week, 3rd – 7th April, focusing on Digital Footprint, Online Identity and how to stay safe online.  

IT, Tralee events will include:

April 4^th

1-2pm: Staff Workshop at IT Tralee, focusing on Password Management, Data Protection, Ethics, Privacy, Reputation and Security.

5-6pm: Secondary School Students Workshop on site at Shanakill Family Resource Centre, Tralee, focusing on Social Networks and Safety.

7-8pm: Staff Training Workshop on site at Shanakill Family Resource Centre, Tralee, focusing on Password Management, Data Protection, Ethics, Privacy, Reputation and Security.

April 5^th

1-2pm: Student Workshop at IT Tralee, focusing on Social Networks, Privacy, Safety, Online Identity and Digital Footprint.

4-5pm: Primary School Students Workshop on site at Shanakill Family Resource Centre, focusing on Social Networks and Safety.

April 6th

7-8.30pm: Kerry Parents Workshop at IT Tralee, focusing on Safety, Privacy, Social Networks and Security.

Workshops will be facilitated by IT Tralee staff and Mr. Colin O' Brien, an MSc in Educational Technology graduate from IT Tralee.

Commenting on next month’s All Aboard 2017 Digital Identity and Wellbeing Week, Aileen Kennedy, Assistant Registrar and Head of Student Engagement at IT Tralee commented that: ‘The activities planned across the week are a wonderful example of a community working together to engage, educate and support each-other around Digital Wellbeing. We are looking forward to hosting the week’s activities’.  

For more information about All Aboard 2017 and the events taking place in Tralee visit www.allaboard2017.ie

Secondary school students can also enter the 2017 IT, Tralee All Aboard Digital Identity and Wellbeing Poster Competition to be in with a chance of winning the first prize of an iPad mini and 10 runners up prizes of One for All Vouchers (valued at €30 each)! The aim of the competition is for individual students from all second level Kerry schools to design a poster which best illustrates the theme ‘Digital Wellbeing’. Any queries please contact Rosalynd.Hayes@staff.ittralee.ie