Q&A

Your education questions answered by Brian Mooney

My daughter started secondary school this year and is studying Civic Social and Political Education (CSPE). She recently brought home a school project, which involves her using the Internet. I have checked out the site in question www.graduate.ie and it contains a lot of useful information. I am still a little nervous about encouraging children as young as 13 to access the Internet, because of the potential harm that this can entail. What is your opinion of the educational value of encouraging students to access the Internet and this site in particular? Should students as young as 13 be given such projects?

The issue of children accessing the Internet is a sensitive one. As parents we want to protect our children from anything harmful. The Internet is now such a central part of our world that it would be foolhardy to attempt to discourage children from using it. Having said that, parents should ensure computers are in family areas where activity can be monitored.

Regarding your specific question of the site referred to in the CSPE project, I am glad to be able to endorse it fully. One of the biggest problems we have in Irish schools is the dearth of suitable Irish educational sites aside from www.skoool.ie.

However, the site you refer to is very beneficial, specifically in CSPE.

The project entitled "The Graduate Treasure Trail" is a free online educational quiz for primary and secondary schoolchildren, aimed to increase schoolchildren's civic, social and political awareness in an innovative and engaging manner.

The quiz encourages students to develop an understanding of how various institutions work, how they interact with young people and how they impact upon their lives, as well as developing their Internet and computer skills.

Students can register to participate at any time during the academic year by visiting www.graduate.ie. Each week, a new set of questions relating to areas as diverse as the arts, environment, politics, health and safety, the Irish language, music, sport and European affairs becomes available. The quiz provides links to the relevant websites and web pages, making it easy for students to answer the questions.

Every Monday, a computer randomly selects five weekly winners and the appropriate schools are notified that one of their pupils has won a prize. The names of the five winners are then announced during Rick O'Shea's show on 2fm each Monday evening.

The quiz is endorsed and supported by many national public organisations and European institutions, such as the European Commission, the European Parliament Office in Ireland, the Office of the Ombudsman, the National Children's Office, the General Council of County Councils, the Data Protection Commissioner, An Garda Síochána, Foras na Gaeilge, Coillte, the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly, Combat Poverty, Development Co-operation Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs), Mayo County Council, RTÉ 2fm and the BMW Regional Assembly.

Private organisations such as Dell and Microsoft also support the quiz through sponsorship and prizes. These include €500 in cash, games consoles and games and trips to visit the EU Parliament in Strasbourg for individual participants while their schools can win computers and other equipment.

The Presentation Ceremony for the 2004/2005 Quiz will take place in the European Parliament's office in Dublin in April/May. I would encourage schools to avail of the educational opportunities presented by this valuable resource.

Brian Mooney is president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. E-mail questions to bmooney@irish- times.ie