Press Release
Date: 29 June 2005 (NR/17/05)
Music to your ears - Innovative new learning model delivers results
Local young people have been making sound waves in digital music. It’s all part of an innovative learning programme developed by Digital Step, a Dream Ireland project and accredited by CCEA, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
The young people will today be guests of honour at a special award ceremony, in Grosvenor House Conference Centre, recognising the tremendous success of the new qualification and showcasing the work of the young people.
Digital Step designed the new Occupational Studies in Digital Technology award for CCEA, which adopts a ‘hands-on’ approach to learning centred on creative digital technologies. The training style is designed to promote creativity, motivation and self confidence and includes a module on digital music and another on digital imaging, participants produced a music track and a CD cover.
The programme aims to bridge the gap between existing education and training provision and groups of young people who have limited access to training and job opportunities, the labour market and social integration.
Cormac McArt , Project Manager, Dream Ireland Limited comments:
“The CCEA Occupational Studies Digital Technology award is an amazing opportunity for young people who do not fit with traditional approaches to learning to explore the creativity of digital technologies, whilst gaining a range of new skills and achieving a recognised qualification.
The award was delivered to 32 participants through Digital Step programmes at Woodvale Bytes, Upper Springfield Bytes, Workforce Training Services and the Junction mental health project in Lisburn, this is the first time the award has been delivered in an informal context.
Dream Ireland has been registered as an approved training centre by CCEA, and is the only centre in Northern Ireland to deliver the award outside the formal education system.
I believe CCEA and Digital Step have developed an innovative learning model to better meet the learning needs of vulnerable groups and communities”.
Dr David Flynn , Assistant Principal Officer, Education – Assessment & Support CCEA comments:
“I am extremely pleased 32 participants have successfully completed the new CCEA Occupational Studies Digital Technology award. Occupational Studies provides a ‘hands-on’ approach to learning. The qualification is designed to be accessible to learners of all abilities and intends to provide a coherent and flexible programme, which is rooted in Practical and Occupational Contexts.
The course particularly appeals to learners who are better suited to develop their skills in a more practical, work related environment. It is hoped that this qualification will enhance self esteem and self confidence, as well as, develop social, practical and life skills”.
Occupational Studies is a GCSE equivalent qualification and is available to every school and Further Education College in Northern Ireland .
Anyone wishing to find out more about the Digital Step programme and CCEA Occupational Studies Digital Technology award please log onto www.digitalstep.org
Digital Step is a Dream Ireland project supported by the European Social Fund under the Northern Ireland EQUAL Community Initiative.
Dream Ireland is a development organisation for the creative industries, specialising in research, consulting, project management and educational services, particularly related to the impact of digital technologies.
The Digital Step learning model has been piloted and adopted in Germany by the MILOS partnership in Berlin , and also in the Republic of Ireland by the Dundalk Institute of Technology and community groups in County Louth .
Youth groups who participated in the programme;
- Action Mental Health at The Junction, Lisburn
- Upper Springfield Bytes, Belfast
- Workforce Training Services
- Woodvale Bytes
Speaking at the event;
- Eddie McVeigh, Head Office, European Commission Office in Northern Ireland
- Michael Corry, Deputy Head, Training Programmes Branch, Department for Employment & Learning
- Cormac McArt , Project Manager, Dream Ireland Limited
- Klaus-Dieter Paul, Project Manager, MILOS DP ( Berlin )
- Jorgen Bergwall, Project Manager, ACCESS DP ( Sweden )
- Dr David Flynn , Assistant Principal Officer, Education – Assessment & Support, CCEA
Media enquiries to Ruth Maguire on (028) 9026 1216, Mobile 07796947993. E mail rhmaguire@ccea.org.uk
ENDS
Note to Editors
CCEA is the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
CCEA places learners and those who have a concern for their educational and personal development at the forefront of its thinking. CCEA's mission is:
"To enable the full potential of all learners to be achieved and recognised"
What we do
CCEA is a unique educational body in the UK , bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment.
Advising Government – on what should be taught in Northern Ireland ’s schools and colleges.
Monitoring Standards – ensuring that the qualifications and examinations offered by awarding bodies in Northern Ireland are of an appropriate quality and standard.
Awarding Qualifications
– as Northern Ireland’s leading awarding body we offer a diverse range of qualifications, such as GCSEs, including the new GCSE Double Award specifications in vocational subjects, GCE A and AS levels, Entry Level Qualifications, and Graded Objectives in Modern Languages.
- CCEA also offers a range of Awards and Certificates in Education, Training and Skills (ACETS) targeted at learners who want to get
the knowledge, understanding and skills needed
to hit the ground running in the world of work.
