Involving Students in their own learning: The Experience of a first year Curriculum innovation

Irish school leavers in the main show a high level of satisfaction with their basic education; reading, writing and a calculation skills (Hannan and Shorthall, 1991). The level of satisfaction with personal and social development, preparation for work and other adult roles however fall short of the targets reached by basic education. There is no doubt though that since Hannan and Shorthall’s research in 1991, much has been done in Irish schools to improve students and to help them grow not only academically, but also socially. Innovations include programmes such as Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Vocational, Civic Social and Political Education and perhaps most importantly the Junior Certificat