For completion of the Cert, teachers created and submitted an assignment or each of the six modules assignments. Two of the were traditional, essay assignments, while the other four were implementation and reflection assignments based in the Bridge21 pedagogy designed to support an innovative 21st Century learning environment within schools. The learning model is Team-based, Technology mediated, Project based, and Cross- curricular.
Ms. Reilly says that the needs of twenty first century society are radically changing, and that schools must change to prepare today’s students for tomorrows world, so that our young people can meet the demands of a knowledge-based society into the future. Developing how students learn will fuel innovation, opportunities, and help all students fulfil their potential she said.
Teachers Gwen, Fionnuala, Jessica and Nicola say engagement in their PGC studies encouraged collaboration, innovation, problem solving and lots of professional conversations in the staffroom. It also facilitated active participation/experiential education by students in social, political and educational decisions that affect their lives.
Pictured from left to right: Ms. Nicola Byrne, Ms. Gwen McMullen, Mr Kevin Lewis, Ms. Noreen Reilly, , Ms. Jessica O'Leary and Ms Fionnuala Brennan
The teachers also noted how students thrived in an environment where they interacted with and experienced the curriculum through technology mediated and team-based activities, “students really took part in their own learning” and
“learned how to learn, learning in a way that they can relate information to experiences from their own lives”.
Teamwork was core encouraging collaboration with other students, on digital projects, students learned essential skills, including communication, problem solving, and project planning. As digital natives, students, were able to bring that knowledge into their formal learning environments and enhance it through their educational experiences. In some instances, using technology, students became the teacher. Developing leadership in students supports students to take ownership of their own learning the teachers said.
Students involved reported learning as "fun, hands on and cool."
Engagement in this PGC was win-win territory in St. Paul’s Community College where students and teachers learned and grew together.