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The donation will consist, in part, of 45 laptop computers to be received by the school over the next three years. The eLearning Notebook Initiative, as the project is called, will see all first and second year students at the school equip themselves with a Dell Latitude notebook computer to use both in the classroom and at home.
Moreover the programme will see the school, through its Web site, build virtual classrooms and distance learning courses that will include community education classes, parent classes, a personalised student intranet, Internet access and a special on-line area where teachers can post assignments.
Dr. Michael Woods, T.D., Minister for Education and Science praised the scheme at its launch on Friday and his comments about how the initiative would benefit Ireland were echoed by Nicky Hartery, vice president Dell EMEA operations and services. "Early introduction to, and acceptance of technology as a core tool is vital to helping students succeed in the digital age," he said.
Hartery claimed that the initiative was part of a broader scheme by the company to invest in educational programmes across Ireland, citing other Dell supported projects such as Intel's Teach the Future programme and Dell Bells, which helps retirees to become computer literate.
Hartery also admitted that these types of initiatives could drive sales for Dell in years to come. "It's our hope that people learn to use technology on Dell computers, hopefully making them repeat Dell customers when they look to buy computers in the future."
Noel Malone, principal at Colaiste Chiarain, said the new computers would be used for computer studies, but also to "fully integrate their usage across the entire curriculum over the coming year."
Other partners in the initiative included County Limerick VEC, Ballyhoura Development Ltd., Rathkeale and District Credit Union.
Dell is Ireland's largest IT employer with a total of 5,000 people at its locations Bray, Co. Wicklow, Dublin and Limerick. It is estimated that Dell contributes to at least 5.5 percent of total Irish exports, two percent of GDP and over four percent of all expenditure in the Irish economy.
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