At Dunshaughlin Community College, students can view their academic results and performance reports online using a personal password; they can e-mail their homework to a teacher and receive corrections by return e-mail; and they can present their class work and projects on-screen to their classmates.
Advanced computer skills more common to a third-level institution are part of everyday learning at the school for pupils from first to sixth year. The school has "pushed the boat out" in terms of its information technology development, according to deputy principal Pádraig Browne, and not only has it produced "high-brass computing graduates" it is now one of 12 schools worldwide selected for funding by Microsoft as a "school of the future".
Transition year student Lisa Irwin (16) has found computers invaluable for a variety of subjects, but most particularly science.
"I had to do a science research project on snow leopards and designed a slide show on Powerpoint to present in class. It's good as well not to be going home with bundles of notes because it's all on computer files."
Avril King (16) has made use of computers for subjects as diverse as business and film-making.
"At this stage most of my homework is done using computers. Working on a business project with friends we could e-mail each other the sections we had completed. We also got to make a film as part of transition year and got to see how computers are used in the editing process."
Robert Stapleton (15) doesn't necessarily see a job in information technology ahead of him, but says the skills he's learning now will probably be useful in whatever career he chooses.
"Computer technology is becoming so advanced but such a part of life that it's going to be important in every job.
"In science we've done forensic research using DNA analysis and the ability to research that online is quite important in this digitised age."
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