Learners in Ireland get access to free global content
- Release Date: 14/05/2009
- Country of Issue: United Kingdom
- Category: Digital and innovations
Irish students will soon have access to free online content aimed at students of all ages on thousands of educational topics.
Cambridge University Press have joined up with the Irish Computer Society (ICS), the national body for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professional development in Ireland, Arizona State University (ASU) and Dublin City University (DCU), to establish a learning portal designed specifically for use by learners in the Republic of Ireland.
The Press’s Global Grid for Learning online platform will provide content and other software services to approved Irish education institutions and under some home edition licenses. The Irish Computer Society will then customise the platform according to Irish learners’ unique needs.
Arizona State University, Global Grid for Learning’s technology partner, will provide the platform and distribution mechanisms to reach communities of teachers and learners in Ireland.
Global Grid for Learning provides a network of national portals with a common learning platform, online content, and support communities for teachers and learners all over the world.
The platform is due to be launched in Ireland in XXXX, and will feature content on thousands of topics from photography to rocket science. Learners using the portal will also be able to add to the body of knowledge by uploading content themselves.
Individual teachers and learners in Ireland will be able to register for free and access online applications such as email, blogs, and word processing, as well as a host of free content and courses covering a wide range of topics. The new platform will provide learners with a secure, safe and culturally sensitive social operating system.
Educational institutions and individual teachers will be able to use the system to manage classes and courses as well as integrating it with existing software systems so that learners can access the resources through their school or college’s portal.
Jim Friars, Chief Executive Office of the Irish Computer Society said "The Irish Computer Society and ICS Skills are delighted to partner with Cambridge University Press and Dublin City University to bring a new breed of eLearning tools to Irish educators and learners.
“For twelve years ICS Skills has been making IT training accessible to all through its network of 1,000 accredited ECDL training centres. Now we look to empower learners and educators further by providing access to millions of online resources through our participation in the Global Grid for Learning. This initiative will satisfy individuals’ thirst for lifelong learning.”
“Cambridge University Press is committed to advancing learning and knowledge,” says John Tuttle, Managing Director of the New Directions Group at Cambridge University Press. “We are delighted to be working with the Irish Computer Society, Arizona State University and Dublin City University on this unique project, providing access to a high-quality online learning platform, with associated content and tools for teachers and learners in the Republic of Ireland.”
“In the world today, it is increasingly important to make available the broadest possible access to educational opportunities for all,” noted Anthony Rock, Vice President of Global Engagement at Arizona State University.“
"This agreement marks a major milestone for Dublin City University in terms of our support for the Irish educational community" said Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, President of Dublin City University. "It highlights our strong strategic relationship with international partners such Arizona State University and Cambridge University Press, and will produce an exciting new learning portal for the Republic of Ireland."
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
About Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge, one of the world’s leading research institutions. It is the oldest publisher and printer in the world, having been operating continuously since 1584.
Throughout its history, the Press has maintained a reputation for innovation and enterprise, through its use of printing technologies, through publishing the latest research, and through supporting the latest methodologies for teaching and learning. Its purpose is to advance learning, knowledge and research worldwide. It publishes over 230 journals and 2,500 books annually for distribution in more than 200 countries.
Global Grid for Learning is a Cambridge University Press company. Our vision is to be the digital content supply network for education worldwide. At the heart of our strategy is the Global Grid for Learning Platform and Library that makes it easy for teachers to search and download educational resources in a variety of formats from content sources worldwide through common software applications. For further information about Global Grid for Learning, go to www.globalgridforlearning.com
For further information about Cambridge University Press, go to www.cambridge.org
About the Irish Computer Society
The Irish Computer Society was founded in 1967 as the national body for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professionals in Ireland. Since its foundation the ICS has promoted the continuous development of professional ICT knowledge and skills in Ireland by organising seminars, lectures and related activities.
For further information about the Irish Computer Society, go to www.ics.ie
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University is creating a new model for American higher education. It is a single, unified institution whose aims are to positively impact the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves.
Its research is inspired by real world application, blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 64,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona – America’s fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.
For further information about the Arizona State University, go to www.asu.edu
About Dublin City University
Dublin City University is one of Ireland’s youngest universities. Since its foundation, it has been at the forefront of academic innovation, research and student-centred learning. The university has developed internationally recognised centres of excellence in a number of key research areas, and has also developed collaborative links with leading universities and industrial partners. DCU’s Link (Learning, Innovation and Knowledge) research centre engages in a variety of cross-disciplinary and international research projects that explore the creation and dissemination of knowledge and innovation, both within and outside organisations.
For further information about Dublin City University, go to www.dcu.ie
If you would like more information, contact the Press Office:
- Telephone: +44 (0)1223 325544
- Fax: +44 (0)1223 325062
- Email: press@cambridge.org
- Post: The Press Office, University Printing House, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8BS, United Kingdom