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Classroom Central 2021

Welcome to Classroom Central, your guide to what’s happening in the world of education and the home of Irish Times classroom resources.

Photo: N/A, License: N/A, Created: 2018:06:25 13:51:02

In-depth research into the course you wish to study, along with where you want to study it, are key to third-level success. File photograph: iStock

It’s time to decide on your college course choices for 2021

Education

Should you change your choice? Review your courses now and reap the rewards later

‘Be kinder with deadlines’: What teachers learned from remote teaching last time

‘Be kinder with deadlines’: What teachers learned from remote teaching last time

Educators share their top tips on what works - and what doesn’t - when teaching online

Readers on homeschooling: ‘I have never been as stressed with work, learning, cooking, cleaning

Readers on homeschooling: ‘I have never been as stressed with work, learning, cooking, cleaning

You share some of your experiences of educating children at home during lockdown

Homeschooling: How not to mess it up this time around

Homeschooling: How not to mess it up this time around

Parents and teachers have learned lessons about educating at home since last year

‘Outside home, school is all he has’: Mother urges help as special schools remain shut

‘Outside home, school is all he has’: Mother urges help as special schools remain shut

Mother urges Government to help families in ‘total crisis’ due to schools not reopening

Homeschooling 2.0: ‘It’s very different. I feel the pressure is off this time’

Homeschooling 2.0: ‘It’s very different. I feel the pressure is off this time’

Atmosphere in many home schools is in stark contrast to the panic of last year’s lockdown

Parents of children with special needs: How are you coping? Have your say

Parents of children with special needs: How are you coping? Have your say

The Irish Times would like to hear from parents and carers about their experiences during lockdown

Homeschooling returns: ‘Children are more relaxed...they’ve been here before’

Homeschooling returns: ‘Children are more relaxed...they’ve been here before’

Everybody was caught unawares in the spring, but families are now better prepared

Children’s books round-up: Howling and hilarity in equal measure

Children’s books round-up: Howling and hilarity in equal measure

January’s best new books help kids start the new year with laughter and emotional release

Eat, move, think: What you need to know about children’s health (9-12 years)

Eat, move, think: What you need to know about children’s health (9-12 years)

The second in a four-part series looking at nutrition, activity and mental wellbeing

Covid-19: Ten ways pandemic will shape education in 2021

Covid-19: Ten ways pandemic will shape education in 2021

Will schools stay open? Will calculated grades return? A long shadow cast across the year

Education Features

Bryan Collins, principal ofScoil Náisiúnta Naomh Feichín, Termonfeckin, Co Louth, greets pupils arriving to school. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

A principal’s diary: ‘Things are going pretty well. We’re turning the corner’

Bryan Collins
January 20, 2022

How one school leader has coped with the challenges of Covid-hit school reopening

Planning is being advanced for the State exams in June. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Q&A: Is it possible to deliver a hybrid Leaving Cert this year?

Carl O'Brien
January 19, 2022

Concern over impact of grade inflation if teacher-assessed marks are awarded again

Teachers’ unions support the full return of State exams this year. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien

4:03 Leaving Cert 2022: Government in wait-and-see mode over hybrid option

Carl O'Brien
January 19, 2022

Officials acutely aware that giving students choice will create a different set of problems

The great thing about horticulture is that there are courses available from degree to PhD level. Photograph: iStock

My daughter is very environmentally aware, are there viable careers in this area?

Brian Mooney
January 18, 2022

Ask Brian: Horticulture graduates are in demand and employed across many areas

The points system does not hinder anyone from pursuing their ambition because of lack of money. File photograph: The Irish Times

5:33 Our CAO points system is equitable and transparent. Why change it?

John McAvoy
January 18, 2022

Opinion: Alternative options are unfair and open to abuse. Waffle and wishful thinking is not enough

Mandarin Chinese teacher Niamh McNally (centre) alongside Leaving Cert students Sanda Sanduta and Carla Quinlan at Our Lady’s Grove Secondary School in Dublin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Chinese becomes Leaving Cert subject: a fad or the future?

Carl O'Brien
January 18, 2022

As trade and cultural links grow, schools are broadening language class offerings

Students, school leaders and Opposition parties are now united in their opposition to pressing ahead with the exams as planned. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill

What other options are there for the Leaving Cert?

Carl O'Brien
January 11, 2022

A return to last year’s ‘hybrid’ Leaving may prove impossible, but there is an alternative

Matt Melvin, principal of St Etchen’s National School in Kinegad, Co Westmeath, helping to clean a classroom. Photograph: Alan Betson

7:58 What’s ahead? 12 ways Covid will shape education in 2022

Carl O'Brien
January 11, 2022

The pandemic looks set to cast its shadow over schools and pupils for another year

We have a serious substitution crisis in schools, and yet extra-curricular and other outings are taking place. Photograph: iStock

Effects of loose leadership in schools greater now due to Omicron

The Secret Teacher
January 11, 2022

The Secret Teacher: We hear about leaders being under pressure, but what do any of us do about it?

If your son has no desire to go directly from school to college, step back and let him figure out his next move. Photograph: iStock

My son isn’t interested in going to college. How can we change his mind?

Brian Mooney
January 11, 2022

Ask Brian: Step back and give him space and time to figure out his own pathway

Feeder Schools Everything you need to know about the latest data

Go to cao.ie by January 20th to make a course application. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

College Choice 2022 Step-by-step guide to applying for college in 2022

CAO Countdown

Advice: Brian Mooney

FREE @irishtimes subscription Are you a third-level student? Claim your free @irishtimes digital subscription here!

Harry McCann: “I went to Ballyfermot College of Further Education where I studied broadcast presentation skills for a year.” Photograph: Patrick Browne

Smart Choices 2021 Everything you need to know about apprenticeships, further education and training

Homeschool hub Our guide to the best teaching and learning resources online

The 2021 Irish Times, Higher Options expo will be live streamed from the RDS Dublin on October 13th and 14th. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

Higher Options 2021 What to study? Check out Higher Options 2021

What students need to know about their accommodation in 2018

What students need to know about their accommodation in 2018

Do you know enough about your accommodation options to make the smartest decision?

Uninest Student Residences

Sponsored by Uninest Student Residences

Go to cao.ie by January 20th to make a course application. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

College Choice 2022 Step-by-step guide to applying for college in 2022

Michael D was a leading light in the Lit & Deb Society at UCG (President of Ireland website)

The Irish Times Debate My debating days: By Michael D Higgins, Mary Harney, Dara Ó Briain and more

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