Mayo school introduces innovative digital learning platform

SAINT Joseph's Secondary School, Castlebar, has unveiled the integration of Skilly, a pioneering digital learning platform designed to equip students with essential life and soft skills. This is an exciting development for modern education.

The initiative once again highlights the Castlebar school’s pioneering approach to adopting technological solutions to foster well-being, inclusion and holistic development.

Skilly is a self-reflective platform tailored to help students develop, measure and track key skills critical for success in an ever-changing world. It provides teachers with tools to design context-driven, age-appropriate resources within the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum.

Unlike traditional teaching methods, Skilly prioritises practice and experiential learning over passive instruction. It enables students to engage in structured self-reflection, akin to how athletes monitor their progress, ensuring that vital skills such as resilience and self-esteem are not merely taught but actively honed through application.

This innovative platform transforms the teaching and learning process by allowing educators to assess students' prior knowledge, guide them through topics, and evaluate the learning outcomes seamlessly. It offers an alternative to conventional methods, by utilising AI technology combined with the practical application of concepts to better prepare students for real-world challenges.

By adopting Skilly, St. Joseph's Secondary School sets a benchmark in embracing digital education solutions. Stating its position as Mayo’s most advanced educational facility, St. Joseph’s Secondary School last year adopted Yondr phone pouches, months before the technology hit the national headlines and later became national policy.

The ‘Skilly’ platform’s focus on personalised, skill-based learning aligns perfectly with the school's mission to cultivate confident, capable, and well-rounded individuals ready to take on the world once they depart their campus.

“Skilly is not just a tool for teaching; it's a means of empowering students to take charge of their personal growth and development,” principal Peadar O’Tuathail stated.

“We are excited to see how this platform transforms our classrooms and inspires our students.”