How do we do it?

Most learning takes place in a social environment, in which learners obtain knowledge, skills, strategies, beliefs, and attitudes by observing others. At St Joseph's Secondary School, students and teachers hold the idea of helping one another to learn as a fundamental principle of how we do things here. We see one another as resources for learning, and there is a school-wide norm that everyone's learning is everyone’s responsibility. As such we prioritise mentoring relationships where students and teachers discover and address any gaps in their understanding by explaining and demonstrating concepts to their peers. Language and communication becomes the cornerstone of these shared, learner-centred experiences.

Our use of digital technology in the classroom allows for the redefinition of how students demonstrate their learning. Students and teachers are able to collaborate with their peers in new, creative ways to realise their ideas through a variety of innovative formats. The combination of our collaborative approach and our philosophy of mentoring enables our school cohort to conceive, create, edit, reflect upon, and share content in a myriad of ways. Below you will find examples of how we support each other to improve student outcomes.

The Digital Learning Team at St. Joseph’s has strategically evolved from a traditional IT support model into a leadership body focused on architecting a comprehensive "Digital Ecosystem." Grounded in the Department of Education’s 2022 Digital Strategy and the school's history as an iPad pilot site, the team shifted away from an unsustainable single-person IT dependency toward a structured, three-pillar framework: Digital Competency, Resilient Infrastructure, and Proactive Safety. By separating pedagogy from technical infrastructure and engaging industry partners the Digital Learning Team has prioritised "systems thinking" to ensure that technology serves as a catalyst for learning rather than a source of distraction. The Digital Learmning Team leads this cultural shift by investing in staff confidence through peer-to-peer CPD and empowering students via a dedicated competency based modules, ensuring that high-speed fiber and Apple TV hardware are supported by a human layer of critical thinking and ethics. Ultimately, the team’s leadership ensures that these three pillars remain in balance, protecting students from digital burnout while fostering the resilience and critical thinking necessary for life beyond exams.

Building parents' digital competency is crucial for creating a supportive and safe learning environment for their children. When parents are digitally literate, they can actively engage with their child's education, understanding the tools and platforms used in modern classrooms. This competence enables parents to guide their children on responsible online behavior, identify potential risks like cyberbullying, and implement appropriate safety measures. Furthermore, digitally confident parents can provide meaningful assistance with homework and projects, fostering a collaborative approach to learning. Ultimately, bridging the parental digital divide ensures equitable support, reinforcing school-based learning and empowering families to navigate the digital world together effectively.

Our student-led tech support team empowers students to develop technical skills and problem-solving abilities. It promotes a culture of peer support and collaboration, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for technology in the school community. It enhances digital literacy and confidence among students, while also relieving the burden on teachers and staff, ensuring smooth technology integration and support within the school environment. Additionally, it creates leadership opportunities for students and encourages them to explore potential career paths in technology and IT support. 

Computex, based in Galway, offers comprehensive support services tailored specifically for schools and colleges across Ireland, including:

• IT Support & Maintenance: Provides dedicated on-site or remote technical assistance—ranging from hardware repair and software updates to troubleshooting—available via contract or pay-as-you-go models (computex.ie).

• Devices Provision & Service: Supplies and maintains laptops, desktops, tablets, accessories, and related repair services, sourced from trusted brands like HP, Microsoft, Google, Epson, Clevertouch, Asus, and Lenovo (computex.ie).

• Wi‑Fi & Network Infrastructure: Designs and installs robust, secure, campus-wide Wi‑Fi networks and IT solutions to support current and evolving digital demands (computex.ie).

• Cloud Solutions: Implements and supports platforms such as Microsoft 365 and Google for Education, including cloud storage, device management, and security (computex.ie).

• Audio‑Visual & Interactive Displays: Installs projectors, interactive whiteboards, and smart displays, backed by award-winning AV engineers certified under national procurement frameworks (computex.ie).

• Educational Technology & STEAM: Supports curriculum integration by supplying and deploying STEAM kits, assistive technology, collaboration tools, and other ed‑tech resources (computex.ie).

• Data Security & Compliance: Advises on cybersecurity best practices to ensure regulatory compliance and protect school data and infrastructure (computex.ie).
  
  

In essence, Computex acts as a one‑stop provider for schools’ digital ecosystems—covering planning, procurement, installation, supporting infrastructure, and ongoing service—to help schools operate smoothly and innovate confidently.

Select (formerly Compu b) is an Irish Apple Premium Reseller and the country’s only dedicated Apple Authorised Education Specialist, offering extensive support to schools. For schools, Select supports the full digital journey: procurement, deployment, device management, financing options, and bespoke Apple Professional Learning via certified APLS trainers. 

Select offers a comprehensive professional learning ecosystem—including two-day Apple Academies for both educators and leaders, a flexible online platform, and customised onsite/virtual training—all aimed at empowering schools to integrate Apple technology confidently and effectively.

Apple Leadership Academy: Designed for school leaders, this programme explores innovation-driven leadership principles, peer collaboration, and support in developing or refining a school’s Digital Learning Plan alongside Apple resources.
Apple Learning Academy: Tailored for classroom teachers, this programme focuses on impactful use of Apple tools, creating practical resources, and crafting action plans for integrating innovative teaching practices.

Select Academy (Online Learning Platform)

• Self‑paced, educator-focused modules accessible anytime, allowing teachers to keep up with Apple innovations and develop new teaching skills at their own pace.

Onsite & Virtual Training & Support

• Tailored professional development delivered either in person at your school or online, covering curriculum integration, device deployment, and ongoing coaching.

• One‑to‑one online software support and onsite assistance via Select’s team of Apple Professional Learning Specialists (ie.selectonline.com).

• Strategic Planning & Digital Leadership Support

• Consultation services to help schools build or refine their technology vision and Digital Learning Plans.

• Training for Apple Learning Leaders and school leadership teams to embed sustainable digital transformation.

Jamf is a software company that specializes in Apple Mobile Device Management (MDM), serving as the industry standard for schools that need to deploy, manage, and secure large munbers of Apple devices. Its platform manages a wide array of hardware, including Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs, essentially bridging the gap between the consumer-friendly design of Apple’s products and the complex security, deployment, and administrative needs of an organization. By using Jamf, IT administrators gain a centralized, web-based console from which they can control and automate the entire lifecycle of an Apple device.

When the studnets unbox and turn on the device, it automatically connects to Jamf, configures itself with necessary settings, installs required applications, and applies security policies without IT ever needing to physically touch the machine. 

Beyond initial setup and configuration, Jamf excels at app lifecycle management by simplifying the process of purchasing apps in volume from Apple, distributing them to stsundets or devices, and automating updates. From a security standpoint, Jamf is a powerful tool for enforcing policies. It can mandate password requirements and disk encryption, remotely lock or wipe lost or stolen devices, block known malware, and restrict access to corporate resources based on a device's compliance status.

Jamf School, a purpose-built MDM solution for educational institutions featuring tools for teachers and classrooms; and Jamf Connect, which manages identity and access by allowing users to sign in to their Mac with cloud identity credentials.