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September 17th 2007
Volume 2. Issue 1
DkIT
DkIT welcomes students and staff to the 2007-2008 academic year.
Any news?
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all students and staff, especially those of you that are new to our DkIT community, and to wish you all success in the coming year. I am delighted to tell you that registration num-bers at DkIT are up 13% on last year despite the much reduced number of students sitting the Leaving Certificate this year. Whilst numbers are up across the college, the department of Electronics has witnessed a remarkable increase in the enrolment of students and this has been achieved through the combined dedication of the department staff but most particularly through the efforts of Lecturer, Terry McNamee. The new prospectus and handbooks are printed and this year they have a new look with the theme ‘DkIT is for me’ reinforcing our com-mitment in DkiT to meet the needs of all mem-bers of this learning community. As a past stu-dent of the college myself, I am always grateful for the opportunities that my studies here af-forded me and mindful of my responsibility to ensure that all learners at DkIT continue to use their potential and realise their dreams. I wish you all and enjoyable year ahead and good luck in all your endeavours,
Denis.
The DkiTimes is a weekly publication brings you news of the many exciting things that happen here. Once again, we encourage you to submit your news items, stories, letters opinions and of course photos to share with readers. Email word documents and pic-tures to [email protected] The Editor
Welcome!
Fáilte
Bienvenue,
Willkommen,
Bienvenido,
Foon ying
Huan ying
Bem-vindo
Tervetuloa
Witajcie
Bem-vindo
Vitajte
Khosh aamadid
Dobro došli
Vítejte
Sveiki
Inside this issue:
Interested in starring on television? Check pages 4 and 7
4,7
Creative Media Exhibition
2
New library service
3
Donate your mobile phone. Paisean Faisean
4 4
Tom Dunn Society Concert.
5
Caption Comp. Cartoons
6
RTE’s ‘The Café’ needs an audience.
7
DkITimes
Denis Cummins M. Sc. Director, Dundalk Institute of Technology.
“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here.”
Creative Media End of Year Exhibition Submitted by Glenn Doyle.
The Creative Media Dept. hosted their fifth annual end of year exhibition in the Carrolls Factory on Campus on the 13th-15th of June this year. For those who didn’t get a chance to attend, the exhibition was an overwhelming success. There were over 250 people in attendance over the three days from vari-ous industry and academic backgrounds, not to mention the family and friends of the students involved. This year the exhibition featured 9 installations in total from students, working in groups, from both the BA (Ord) in Communications (Creative Multimedia) and the BA (Hons) in Communications and Crea-tive Media.. These projects encompassed a wide variety of skills from the Creative Media course content and highlighted the innovative approach to projects adopted by the students. Over a period of approx 9 months the students work tirelessly to produce a wide selection of work ranging from social networking sites, interactive games and video installations, through to educational CD-ROMs and biographical digital narratives. On behalf of the Creative Media Team we would like to thank all those who attended and contributed to the success of the show and to wish all the stu-dents the best of look in the future.
Hope to see you all at next years show.
Pictured here right are Willie McLaughlin and Michael Wright following the recent presenta-tion to Willie in recognition of his contribu-tion to the college over the past 13 years.
Page 2
Creative Media Students pose for a photo before the launch of yet another exhibition of innovative work. Congratulations to all students and staff involved.
Volume 2. Issue 1
DkIT Library introduces new online help service.
DkIT to host the 2008 EdTech Conference
Dundalk Institute of Technology Library is expanding its enquiry desk service via instant messaging this September. Instant messenger will allow you to get expert help from Library Staff from your desktop both on and off campus. More and more of the Library’s facilities can be accessed remotely. Everything from renewing books to researching projects can be done online - with the new messaging service help and advice from the Library will be just a few clicks away. The service will initially be available using Microsoft Messenger technology, one of the most popular instant messag-ing services. Users familiar with Messenger can simply add [email protected] to their list of contacts Library staff will be available from 10am-12am and from 2pm to 4pm Monday to Thursday. Queries can be sent via web-form outside of those hours and will be answered via email.
EdTech, the annual conference of Irish Learning Technology Association (ILTA) and in 2008 the Conference will be held in DKIT from the 22nd to 23rd of May 2008. DKIT was selected to host the conference following a bidding proc-ess and plans are now underway for the conference. ILTA provides a forum for those interested in the application of information technologies to learning in Ireland with most of it’s members drawn from third level education. ILTA provides a virtual discussion space as well as learning support to its members. Its Annual Conference is an opportunity for those interested in exploring the possibilities of-fered by ICT in higher education to gather, share knowledge and expertise and learn about best practice in Irish Higher Education. The Annual Conference attracts over 150 delegates from business, and higher education from both sides of the border. A number of DkiT staff are already working locally to support and deliver the conference and would welcome addi-tional help from interested staff members. Contact [email protected]
Page 3 Volume 2. Issue 1
Early Perspectives –Where next for the Institutes of Technology? A interview with Dr Columb Collins, former member of staff at DkiT. Columb Collins kindly agreed to meet up with Seamus Bellew before the summer to share his recollections of his time in Dundalk. When asked what he saw his vision for the IT sector in the coming years, Columb reflected on the comparisons between the ITs and the Universities and on the changing needs of the students who will be at-tracted to the ITs. I thought his reflections would be a good way to start the year and they are summarised in the following four points:
a) The IT sector must maintain a clear distinction from that of the universities. There is no point competing in the same field, the universities are long estab-lished and recognised. The Institutes need to develop a niche for their potential students and their degrees should be as good as those of the Universities but different, where the practical nature of the courses is maintained. The ethos of ‘learning by doing’ should still prevail ensuring that the IT graduates are more attractive to particular employers. The sector still lacks status and it needs to develop a ‘brand’ that is instantly recognised. Teachers, especially those in Ca-reers Guidance, still have influence on many potential students. These teachers, many who have come through the Universities with Bas, may not fully appreci-ate what goes on in the ITs.
b) The idea of ‘continuing education’ needs to be further developed, especially at Masters level and for part time students. Columb believes that open learning needs to be adopted, especially at post Certificate levels. He reckons that once students have developed the study techniques required for Higher Education typically through a traditionally taught Certificate, they are then better equipped to have the discipline required for open/distance learning. Each indi-vidual’s educational development should be viewed more as a continuum where learning alongside employment should be encouraged, rather than parti-tioned as it is for most at the moment. The amount of time taken to complete a course should be determined by each student clocking up modules as quickly or slowly as his or her circumstances allow through a mixture of open and more traditional learning methods.
c) Among the Colleges in the sector, there should be a greater emphasis on sharing and pooling resources. There is an opportunity for the colleges to develop ‘open learning’ and with much greater potential if they pool re-sources. Each IT could better sustain its own specialities in such a cooperative environment. The sector has al-ready shown that joint activities can be highly productive.
d) A two-year certificate is no longer adequate for students and we should be looking at a minimum of three years. In fact he would like to see all citizens guaranteed the equivalent of 4 or 5 years of Higher Education dur-ing their lifetime, to be availed of at times that chosen by each individual through whatever mode of learning that suits.
e) There should be better use of the modular system, rather like that in the US where students can delay the de-cision on their final degree until they are some way through their course of study. The school leaver who works part-time should aim to get through in about six years and the system should recognise the evolving part-time nature of student participation. The mechanism of funding students and courses needs to be examined in the light of the part-time reality of student lives.
Perhaps Columb’s interest in mature students comes from his last year in Dundalk when his wife Margaret took a Business Studies Certificate. At any rate he reckons he may have been the first member of staff to officially sleep with a student!
Submitted by Seamus Bellew. Feel free to respond to Columb’s ideas by submitting your articles to [email protected]
Page 4
Dr Columb Collins pictured recently with Seamus Bellew.
Volume 2. Issue 1
Donate your old mobile phone to the Jack and Jill Foundation.
An bhfuil gaelige agat? Ar mhaith leatsa €250 agus seans a bheith ar an teilifís? A message for DkIT students and staff from Aine Ní Chuaig.
Attention Staff and students. Don’t throw out your old mobile phone. Instead donate it to the Jack and Jill Foundation, a registered charity which supports the care of sick babies. A box with the Jack and Jill logo has been placed in the School of Business Studies outside the photocopying room. You are invited to drop your old phones in there by Michael McMahon , Technician who is organising the collection. Michael also has a box in his office for used printer cartridges which will also be donated to this worthy cause. Please remove sim cards before donating phones!
A Chara, I am working as a researcher here in Galway with Magma Films for the dating/fashion programme for TG4 “Paisean Faisean We will be recording a show in *Drogheda* on *Wednesday and Thursday 26 & 27 September* and I am searching for some extra Irish speaking lads in the region in the age group of 18-26 who would be available on those days. They do not have to be from the area at all but are possibly working or studying there. Recording is done over 2 half days and the guys receive *€250* each. I would really appreciate if you can pass this information on to anyone who you think would be suit-able . Paisean Faisean is an exciting, creative and entertaining TV Show that combines both dating and shopping. The Concept: A drop dead gorgeous Girl aka The Date has to be conquered using style. Three Candidates will have to impress her by shopping for a completely new and stylish outfit. Unfortunately, they will have never met her before except for a short introduction in a video clip. Equipped with a certain budget of and two hours of time, they will have to buy a complete outfit, from top to toe, from sunglasses to shoes. The Date will then try the three outfits and decide which one she likes best, or which one makes her most curious about the guy who cre-ated it. In the happy ending of this modern fairy tale, she will date the lucky winner – wearing the new outfit of course! Doesn’t that sound like every girls dream? Being lavished with fashionable presents by good looking guys and choosing the most interest-ing for a romantic date? Doesn’t that sound like every boy’s nightmare? Having to shop for a compete outfit for a woman, having to enter all the shops they usually avoid like the plague, and having to think about all the details they usually choose to ignore! But the reward is tantalizing: the one who con-vinces the beauty with style and taste, will win a romantic date with her. If you wish to be part of this programme, contact…
Aine Ni Chuaig at PAISEAN FAISEAN MAGMA FILMS, 16 Merchants Road, Galway. 091 569142 or 086 8546824
Page 5
‘ Cúpla Focail? If you are male, can speak Irish, are aged between 18 and 26 and available in the Drogheda area on September 26th and 27th, then Paisean Faisean needs you!,
Volume 2. Issue 1
You are invited…………..
g{x gÉÅ WâÇÇ fÉv|xàç Cumann Thomáis Uí Dhuinn
Patron: Mary McAleese, President of Ireland Éarlamh: Máire Mhic Giolla Íosa, Uachtarán na hÉireann
Siubhán Ó Dubháin
requests the honour of your company at
Songs of Ireland & Europe
a programme of lieder, chansons, opera arias & amhráin sean nós
with
Donal Kearney tenor &
Páidí Ó Dubháin baritone
in The Sean Hollywood Arts Centre
on Wednesday September 19th 2007 at 8 o'clock p.m.
Voluntary subscriptions in aid of St. Colman's College Organ Fund
Urraithe ag Foras na Gaeilge
Page 6
This is a repeat of the critically acclaimed recital first given in the Methodist Church, Rostrevor in July, as part of the annual Tom Dunn Scoil Samhraidh, with a specially extended programme. 22 year old Páidí Ó Dubháin is starting his final year at Ceol Óirghialla, DkIT Music Dept, where he is specialising in Classical Performance. His forthcoming engagements include recitals with Opera Ireland and at the American Embassy. Donal, who is 18, has recently been awarded his ATCL in Singing and will be heading to Gonville & Caius College Cambridge to read Law in a couple of weeks. This is probably the last opportunity to hear these fine young singers performing together for quite a while. They are fundraising for the Music Dept. of their alma mater, St. Colman's College, which has nurtured their musical talent since the age of 11 and has given them many performing opportunities. The College is installing a new pipe organ in the Chapel, and your support will be most welcome..
Pictured left and below are students and staff at the Tom Dunn Scoil Samhraidh held in Rostrevor.
Volume 2. Issue 1
Caption Competition
Page 7
Send your caption suggestions to [email protected] Funniest or most appropriate captions will be printed next week.
Volume 2. Issue 1
Page 8
Attention DkiT Staff and Students! ‘The Café’ is looking for an audience. Contact thecafé@rte.ie with your details, including your date of birth.
Volume 2. Issue 1
