Tag: educational

Tech-Loving Kids Will Love These Educational Kits from Kinia

This Christmas, Kinia, Ireland’s leading education-focused non-profit and social enterprise, is proud to unveil its specially curated collection of creative tech and educational kits from the Kinia Shop designed to delight kids (and anyone aged 8+) who love to make and empower the next generation of changemakers.

Purposeful shopping, powerful impact!

By choosing Kinia, you’re not just buying a gift, every purchase made directly fuels programmes that empower young people, giving them opportunities to grow, learn and transform their futures. Kinia’s 2030 target is to engage 800,000 young people in Creative Technology, Digital Skills, Literacy, and Numeracy programmes, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in the digital age. Every single purchase can spark a brighter future for schools and youth services that need support and resources.

Top Christmas Tech Gifts That Inspire and Educate:

 Build a DIY Slide Projector, €18.00
A creative twist on old-school tech, this kit helps young learners understand how light and optics work, all while having fun building a functioning slide projector.

 Build a Night Lantern Kit, €18.00
Create your own starlit night sky! Create your own glowing sky full of stars, planets, and cosmic magic and learn science and design skills.

 Build a Coin Eating Robot, €18.00
This quirky maker kit is a mechanical piggy bank that doesn’t just “swallow” coins; it’s an introduction  to the world of mechanics and electrical circuits.

 Build a Remote Control Car, €18.00
Hands-on learning meets high-speed fun! Kids can build their remote-controlled car while exploring mechanics, electronics, and wireless technology.

 Mini Podcasting Starter Kit, €163.75
Kick off a holiday podcast together with this all-in-one kit, then keep creating as they master the art of audio storytelling building communication skills, creativity, and confidence that last long after the Christmas Tree comes down.

 Mobile Filmmaking Kit, €300.00
Perfect for budding vloggers and future filmmakers, this all-in-one kit transforms any smartphone into a mini pro-studio. From lighting to sound, it’s everything they need to shoot, edit, and share their stories in style while building real-world creative skills that last a lifetime.

Why Choose a Kinia Gift This Christmas?

  • Buy Irish, Give Back: With every purchase, you support an Irish non-profit and help bridge the digital divide, funding creative education for young people nationwide.

  • Gifts That Teach: All products help develop skills like creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, digital literacy, and lifelong learning. Every product is used by Kinia’s team in real educational settings, so you know it’s good, and it’s been tried and tested!

  • Learn and Build Together: These kits aren’t just for kids, they’re for the whole family. Each activity becomes a chance to connect, create, and learn together. Create lasting memories while developing skills such as communication and collaboration, that will last a lifetime.

  • Confidence Building: Kids build confidence through hands-on learning while building our STEM kits. They come with an affirmations checklist, and a Kinia skills tracker with stickers included to help celebrate their progress.

  • Sustainable and eco conscious: Kinia’s Creative and Educational STEM kits are made from mostly wooden, sustainable materials and even the packaging is recyclable and reusable. The instructions include fun activity ideas to repurpose what you’ve built so you can keep learning and having fun.

This Christmas, make your gift count. Shop local and with purpose, inspire curiosity, and empower change only at the Kinia Shop.

Shop now at https://shop.kinia.ie/

New initiative for young people to explore how Irish language and traditions can inspire environmental innovations

The CONNECT Centre’s Academy of the Near Future, in partnership with Gael Linn’s Gaelbhratach team, has launched a new Irish-language educational programme for young people. The initiative – ‘Treoraigh do Thodhchaí’ –  will feature hands-on workshops addressing environmental challenges and explore how the Irish language and traditions can inspire creative, sustainable, and technological solutions for the future.

Young people aged 15-17 are being invited to apply for the week-long programme, which will run from Monday, 31st March to Friday, 4th April 2025. Over the course of the programme the selected students will be encouraged to reflect on the role of the Irish language in their own lives and explore its significance in the wider context of environmental sustainability.

The programme will be hosted at Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Co. na Gaillimhe. It is the first Irish-language medium version of the ‘Design Your Future City’ programme, which has been delivered by Academy of the Near Future annually in Dublin since 2022.

Commenting on the launch, Dr Mairead Hurley, Assistant Professor in Science & Society Education, Trinity College Dublin, said: “We are excited to build on our innovative, youth-led approach to sustainability and citizenship education by delivering it through the Irish language for the first time. This step celebrates the creativity and transdisciplinary potential the Irish language brings to global citizenship education.

“This programme offers students a fantastic opportunity to build confidence, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, while exploring the role of Irish language and culture in shaping a sustainable future. It will also draw on the expertise of Trinity School of Education’s Critical Change Lab programme, an EU project exploring creative educational approaches to promote active citizenship and youth activism.”

Also commenting, Edel Ní Bhraonáin, Bainisteoir Gaelbhratach, Gael Linn said: “Gael Linn is thrilled to collaborate on ‘Treoraigh do Thodhchaí’, creating opportunities for young people to lead and shape a brighter future. Through our Gaelbhratach initiative, we have seen the incredible creativity and passion young people bring when given the chance to lead and shape their own future. This project is an exciting opportunity to amplify the student voice, combining their innovative ideas with the power of our language and culture to create a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.”

Support from the Department of Education

The programme is being run with support from the Department of Education’s ‘Education for Sustainable Development to 2030 Fund’. Commenting on the initiative, Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD said: “I am delighted to see ‘Treoraigh do Thodhchaí’ open for applications, supported by the Education for Sustainable Development to 2030 Fund. I am particularly pleased to see it being rolled out for the first time in the Gaeltacht community in Galway, with plans to extend it to the Gaeltacht community in Kerry in the coming months. This will encourage students to get involved in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to be excited about the role they can play in tackling climate issues in their community using technology.”

Highlights from the programme

Over the course of the week, the selected students will have the opportunity to:

  • Engage in interactive workshops that integrate Irish language and cultural elements with sustainability and technology.
  • Collaborate with experts through Irish to develop a deeper understanding of Irish language and traditions.
  • Experiment with citizen science to address the environmental challenges facing modern cities, all through the lens of Irish culture.
  • Meet STEM, design, and innovation experts who will guide students in bringing their ideas to life with a sustainability focus

Application Details

The programme is open to students aged 15-17. Applicants must commit to attending all sessions of the week-long course. Workshops will be conducted in Irish, and the main requirement is an enthusiasm for technology, sustainability, and Irish culture. With only 20 places available, interested students are encouraged to apply early to avoid missing out.

To apply, applicants must answer a few short questions about themselves, describe an environmental challenge in their area, and propose a technology-driven solution. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday, 24th February 2025.

For further information and the application process, visit: https://nearfuture.ie/programmes/treoraigh-do-thodchai

Erin Mills develops educational website surrounding drug dependency arising from prescribed medications

Erin Mills, a TY student from St. Mary’s Arklow Secondary School, was awarded for her remarkable project, which investigates the effects of drug addictions and dependencies stemming from medications provided by the healthcare system, during the Scifest@Teen-Turn event held in IBM, Dublin.

Through extensive research and analysis alongside her studies, the final result culminated in a website that educates audiences on drug dependencies. The idea for the project, entitled “Breaking the cycle: Evaluating the investment in non-addictive alternatives to current medications”, came from seeking a way to help those struggling with opioid addictions and furthermore attempting to find a solution to drug addiction issues.

When asked what Erin is most proud about from working on the project, she says “My final website. I coded it from scratch and I think it came out really good”. Teen-Turn, an Irish non-profit organisation that provides teen girls the opportunity to gain hands-on STEM experience and the support to acquire qualifications and jobs, provided Erin with company mentors to assist her with research, statistical analysis, and computer programming. Joanne English, Erin’s teacher says “Erin’s idea developed over the 12 weeks through working with the Teen-Turn/Project Squad mentors. Erin worked at a steady pace and always kept on track with her intended goals for the week. The project squad mentors gave Erin valuable feedback on all aspects of her project.”

Erin won 1st place in the Senior Social Science Category Winners and was awarded an iPhone 16, with thanks to contributions from BNY Mellon towards Teen-Turn participants undertaking enterprise and innovation. She also qualified for BT Young Scientist and had the opportunity to present her project to President Michael D. Higgins at the BTYSTE exhibition in the RDS. Through Teen-Turn’s free after school programmes and activities such as Project Squad, secondary school students are informed on education and career options, often leading them to discover new skills and interests. As more girls explore and gain an interest in STEM, this will lead to more women earning STEM qualifications, thus leveling the playing field.

More information on their activities and the supports they provide to girls is available at www.teen-turn.com.

Exploring Strategies and Techniques on How to Play Poker Effectively

The game of poker has deep roots in the world of card games, with a rich history of development. It is widely popular in many modern countries, particularly in the US and Western Europe. 

Poker serves as a means to raise funds for good causes and provide entertainment. It also has an educational aspect, teaching players the importance of staying calm and making wise decisions.

How to Play Poker Online

The arrival of online poker has taken the world of poker by storm. It is convenient because you can stay at home and play poker online games with your friends anywhere in the world. 

We are going to explore how to play poker online and teach you a few strategies and techniques on how to play poker effectively. 

The best thing about playing poker at home on the web with free poker games is that you can practice and develop your skills in the game, and by employing these techniques, you can get better, particularly since you are a first-time poker player. 

It is no different from other websites playing live poker, and you have to be aware of the differences and requirements. Even in such a case, you might learn more about it by studying guides on how to play poker games online. 

Besides, you can utilize tutorials; you can sign up to register on a free poker site where you can play free poker games at any time you want. 

However, with the appropriate software, you can play poker, and you can do so from any part of the world. All you need is a quick internet connection, and you are on your way to a rewarding internet-based poker experience.

Fundamental Poker Strategies

There are some fundamental poker strategies that apply to almost all forms of poker games. Familiarizing yourself with and utilizing these strategies can greatly improve your play.

No Limit Poker

Many fundamental strategies encourage risky play or a high level of bluffing. These strategies are most viable in no limit games because a player can bet all of his chips at any time. 

Even if a player doesn’t have a good hand, a sufficiently large bet can make it possible for him to win the pot on a bluff. It is unwise to use such risky strategies in a limit game since the maximum bet is capped.

Play by the Odds

The best reason to play the game is the belief that you have a positive expectation. This means that you believe that you will, over the long term, win more at the game than you spend. 

The only way to have this belief is to have a legitimate reason not to believe the fundamental statistics. The theory of games has a fundamental math problem: most people are average. 

To begin with, folding is superior to making the call in any situation in which multiple players reasonably expect to win the hand. 

Folding gives up the player’s one chance to win the hand, but making the call allows another player to win the hand and keeps the player’s negative expectation.

Advanced Techniques and Tactics

Players employ a variety of tactics while playing poker effectively. The strategies have been streamlined to facilitate learning and to preserve time. The vital one listed here is the tight-aggressive style of play. 

This is regarded as one of the most potent and effective overall poker styles. However, it is not flawless. Over time, you will learn that being very aggressive will land you in serious problems shortly. 

This style requires a blend of restraint and aggressiveness. What distinguishes aggressive players from weak individuals is the scope in which aggressive players engage in the game, whereas weak players shy away from controversy. 

Grasping the delicate balance necessary to pull off a tight-aggressive strategy can sometimes be taxing; it is, however, completely vital in the long run to winning poker.

The most crucial and beneficial tactical move in the poker world is to be precise in your bets and style of play. Poker is a thinking game, and any deviation from decisions rooted in reliable game theories will result in a series of losses. 

Technology is also critical, but it won’t support you until you master the basic strategies. Other elements in poker are also crucial. However, the above two elements are fundamental, achievable, and apply to every poker game. 

After preferring one of the basic playing styles like loose, tight, or aggressive, you can identify advanced strategies for your chosen style for better results. With time, you can gain experience and efficiency in gaming by following the basic strategies as well.

In the end, poker is a skill game. It’s logical and risk evaluative. An instinctive understanding of the basic rules, when to call and raise, how to let your bluffs work for your hand and the balance between tight and loose play will make you a good poker player. These can be taught, so any new player can learn and get a better win rate over time with play. New players will struggle at first but it pays off in the long run.

ADAPT Collaboration with Hayes Culleton to Revolutionise Collaborative Learning with AI Tools

ADAPT and Hayes Culleton recently completed a collaboration aimed at developing innovative AI-driven tools that enhance learning and collaboration. The project, led by Dr Liting Zhou from ADAPT at Dublin City University (DCU), focused on designing solutions for educational and training environments, with a global, all-female team of experts from four countries at the helm.

Hayes Culleton, led by founder and financial expert Susan Hayes Culleton, specialises in high-impact education, finance training, and innovative learning technologies. Through its proprietary platform, Active Peers AI, Hayes Culleton empowers teams and individuals to engage effectively in peer-driven learning, a key component of the new tools created in partnership with ADAPT.

Dr Liting Zhou commented: “This collaboration with Hayes Culleton has been an exciting opportunity to apply ADAPT’s AI expertise in real-world educational settings. By developing tools tailored for collaborative learning, we are breaking new ground in how teams and students can connect and engage meaningfully in both virtual and in-person environments.”

This partnership forms part of ADAPT’s broader mission to lead impactful change in educational technology, offering powerful tools that can transform learning experiences across diverse settings.

How to create an educational app that will captivate users

In the modern world, educational apps are becoming as important as entertainment apps. Educational companies are actively implementing IT solutions to strengthen the brand and increase profits. Online schools and multimedia courses have already become part of our daily lives, turning PCs and smartphones into indispensable educational tools. 

This trend will continue to intensify, driving growing demand for education software development services among businesses of all sizes. So, how can they create a quality educational app that will captivate users? The developers from Light IT Global are going to help figure it out.

What is an educational app

An educational app is software for distance learning. It is designed to simplify the process of acquiring new skills and knowledge for people of all ages, no matter where they are. These apps are valued for their ability to provide access to education without restrictions on location or physical condition. 

Not all educational apps are limited to mobile devices. There are many successful examples on the market that are available through the internet or have both web and mobile versions. An example is Google Classroom. This app has gained wide popularity due to its availability on the internet and on mobile devices.

What types of educational applications are available?

There are several types of educational apps, each serving different purposes and audiences.

  • Learning management systems (LMS). These are comprehensive platforms that cover the entire educational process, from planning to course delivery and assessment. They offer teachers and students a unified platform for educational tasks.
  • Online course platforms. These platforms provide access to a wide range of educational materials, allowing users to choose what they want to study—from languages to programming.
  • Language learning apps. These apps provide users with tools to learn new languages, including vocabulary, grammar, and conversational practice.
  • Distance learning platforms. These platforms create bridges between teachers and students, offering a place for meetings, knowledge exchange, and learning.
  • Apps for people with special needs. These apps are designed for those who, due to physical limitations, are unable to attend traditional educational settings.
  • Exam preparation apps. These apps support students in preparing for standardized tests and exams.
  • E-book/audiobook apps. Audiobooks and podcasts on educational topics attract those who seek to expand their knowledge through auditory learning.
  • Educational game apps. Games that combine learning with entertainment provide a unique and engaging learning experience for all ages.

 

Each category serves a specific need in the educational landscape, catering to different learning styles and preferences.

First steps in development

Developing an educational application is a complex process. The experienced developers from Light IT Global have prepared a list of seven key steps to help you get started.

Step #1. Define your offering

Determine what your application will offer. If you’re not sure, refer back to categories of educational applications. Find what sets you apart from competitors. Your application should have unique features or approach to attract an audience.

Step #2. Study your audience

Identify the needs of different user groups. Differences between children, adults, parents, and their preferences are important. Understanding the desires of your target audience is the key to creating a successful product.

Step #3. Conduct market research

Study potential competitors and market trends. It’s important to know what already exists and what problems your product can solve. Pay attention to user reviews of similar applications. This will help you avoid others’ mistakes.

Step #4. Plan functionality

Make a list of everything you want to include. Don’t be afraid to dream big at this stage. Start by creating a prototype and MVP. This will help form the foundation of your application.

Step #5. Choose a platform

Decide whether your product will be a web application, a mobile application, or both. Choose between iOS, Android, or cross-platform solutions depending on your audience.

Step #6. Choose an IT provider

Use networking events and social media such as LinkedIn to find a suitable IT partner. Consider assembling a diverse, cross-functional team to work on the project.

Step #7. Development, launch, and support

After establishing the team, the project moves to the development and testing stages. Monitor feedback and make necessary improvements to keep the application relevant.

This path will provide you with the foundation for creating an effective and in-demand educational application that meets user needs and stands out in the market.

Final thoughts

To outperform competitors in creating an educational application, it is important to focus on market leaders such as Duolingo, Coursera, and Quizlet. According to Likeweb research, these applications dominate in many countries due to their accessibility, engagement, and adaptability.

Success in the educational app market is often linked to free access or freemium monetization model, making content available to a wide audience. Gamification and continuous development, responding to user requests, also play a key role, making learning engaging and maintaining user interest. Adding new features and integrating with social networks can significantly increase audience engagement and loyalty.