FÓN, Phase 3
During 2009/10, we worked with third year students and their teachers in two schools to examine the use of the FÓN system for oral Irish assessment.
NCCA worked in partnership with Foras na Gaeilge, the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) and Vodafone for this phase of work.
What did we find out in FÓN, Phase 3?
FÓN proved effective for improving student motivation for Irish, increasing student use of spoken Irish and improving student competence in Irish. FÓN also proved effective as a tool for assessment, both student self-assessment and teacher assessment.
Recommendations which were made centred around six key principles:
- FÓN should be scaled up to more schools (geographical clusters of schools representing a diverse sample of school types) and spread across the three years of Junior Cycle
- FÓN should be free for all students
- FÓN should be carried forward in partnership with public and private organisations
- FÓN needs to be mediated by the teacher, who would represent a school-based PUSH
- FÓN requires an external PUSH, such as parents and/or the examinations system
- The FÓN system should be aligned to the current format of the oral Junior Certificate examination.
FÓN, Phase 3 - another award winning success!
The FÓN Project was awarded a Taoiseach's Public Service Excellence Award. The award is given in recognition of projects which promote innovation and excellence, creatively use resources and develop new efficiencies. The biennial award ceremony took place in Dublin Castle on 8 July 2010.
You can find out more about the award, read the Taoiseach's address from the award ceremony and access an Irish Times supplement detailing the day on the Taoiseach’s Award website.
FÓN, Phase 3 - documentation and resources
Access the NCCA FÓN, Phase 3 project report (2010) (PDF, 343KB)
FÓN Podcast: Listen to an interview between Katrina Keogh, NCCA, and John Hurley, TeachNet, on the FÓN project