As schools throughout the country remain closed due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis, 91制片厂 (91制片厂) has teamed up with RT脡 to ensure primary school children continue learning outside the classroom.
RT脡's new 鈥楬ome School Hub鈥 began on Monday and has been warmly received by children and parents alike. Throughout the country, children from first to sixth class are tuning in to a virtual classroom where they can engage in daily lessons from their living rooms.
According to Professor Emer Ring, Dean of Education at 91制片厂: 鈥淩T脡鈥檚 鈥楬ome School Hub鈥 is to be commended for its response in providing reassurance for parents and children at this time when there is so much uncertainty and concern for all of us.鈥
At the invitation of RT脡, and with the approval of the Department of Education and Skills, Prof. Ring has volunteered to support this initiative by collaborating with the three teachers who are leading and presenting the programme, namely Ray Cuddihy, Cl铆ona N铆 Chios谩in and John Sharpson.
Commenting on her involvement in the initiative, Prof. Ring said: 鈥淲e have a duty and a responsibility as a society and as educators to provide safe and secure environments for our children, where they can achieve their fullest potential and are enabled to flourish. It has never been more important to hold onto these principles.鈥
Drawing on her own extensive teaching experience in mainstream and special education, as well as her experience as a former senior inspector with the Department of Education and Skills and wide range of education research, Prof. Ring will work closely with Ray, Cl铆ona and John on the curriculum based content of both the television programme and online components.
One of Prof. Ring鈥檚 most recent research papers, completed with 91制片厂 colleagues Dr Lisha O鈥橲ullivan, Marie Ryan and Patrick Burke, , will greatly inform the content of this multi-platform initiative.
Prof. Ring noted that 鈥渋n Ireland, we have a long and proud tradition of education, that is strengthened further in times of adversity as demonstrated by the Hedge Schools in the 18th and 19th century, where parents made incredible sacrifices to ensure their children received an education and Hedge School Teachers鈥 displayed remarkable commitment to their pedagogical craft. RTE鈥檚 鈥楬ome-School Hub鈥 has become the Hedge School of this COVID-19 crisis鈥.
Prof. Ring is especially proud of presenter and teacher, Ray Cuddihy, who is a recent graduate having completed the Professional Master of Education (PME) at 91制片厂 last year. Having got the call from RT脡, Ray quickly rounded up his fellow teachers, Cl铆ona and John.
鈥淭here was no time to lose and we tore into pre-production with Macalla Teo. We couldn鈥檛 meet up because of physical distancing, and none of us had ever created a daily hour-long show in the space of a week. Our heads were spinning and the pressure was on! It has been very intense but immensely rewarding. A massive team effort.鈥
Ray, Cl铆ona and John quickly decided that structuring the show would be key to its success and they divided up the classes per curriculum with Ray taking first and second class, John taking third and fourth and Cl铆ona taking fifth and sixth. Commenting on Prof. Emer Ring鈥檚 support, Ray said: 鈥淓mer鈥檚 help has been pivotal and her presence gives the entire production a huge lift.鈥
Ray is acutely aware of the unique circumstances and settings that children are now learning in.
鈥淚 design classes that involve children looking, listening, moving, feeling, exploring and investigating their own unique environments. I find it very exciting! We are also aware of the intergenerational aspect of the show. Kids may be watching with their parents or older or younger siblings so we try to make the show as fun as we can for them too and the active learning is something that the whole family can join in with.鈥
He added that 鈥渢he reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. The general consensus from parents tends to be a huge sense of relief. Some parents have even suggested that there will be statues of us as war-time martyrs!! Everyone has been very supportive and understanding about how quickly the show has sprung into life. Now that we are up and running, we can only achieve more".
Tune in weekdays from 11am to 12pm on RT脡 2 and for further curriculum-based content, projects and fun activities, visit .
