Savvy Bandon teachers pioneer money-saving tablet technology

TWO Bandon Grammar schoolteachers have developed a new technology that has the potential to save schools and students a fortune in personal computers.

Trevor Collins, assistant principal and Darren Platts, ICT administrator and woodwork teacher, have designed a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).

Under the system, schools would no longer have to invest in pricey PCs, laptops or tablets. Instead, students could they log on to their VDI account using cheap tablets which would have the same processing power as those using expensive iPads.

Mr Collins predicted: ‘This system would give the Irish education system an advantage over other countries. The maintaining of accounts and updating of software is now done centrally whilst a key benefit of the system is the simplicity for the end user. We are now working with interested stakeholders to bring down the cost of implementing this system to schools without skilled ICT personnel on the staff.’

He said the project did require funding from the State or the EU for a bigger scale project to examine the benefits of VDI in local schools.  

The project was presented to local TD and Junior Minister Jim Daly earlier this week who described it as ‘revolutionary’ saying there was a ‘political responsibility to pursue it.’

Deputy Daly said: ‘I have already brought this initiative to Minister Bruton’s attention and will continue to be a strong advocate of this at Dáil and cabinet level. It is important, though, that we pioneer any further development in West Cork first – where the idea began.’