Educational Technology

Technology can be a game-changer to accelerate learning and enable students to realise their full potential, regardless of their abilities, needs and goals. It covers a wide range, from features built into commonly used digital tools to apps, software and hardware specifically created for different tasks.

A great way to get started with the range of technology supports available is to log into our free online learning platform MILO using your Maynooth login credentials. In the MILO platform, you can explore the essay writing tech, proactive learning tech and exam prep tech to find out about how to use the best tools. You'll discover lots of cool tech tips, along with videos and downloadables. Enjoy!

MAP My Way Technology Sessions 12pm–2pm

The weekly MAP My Way gatherings are times when you can drop by to pick up some useful tips from students and staff on how to get the most out of first year at Maynooth and set yourself up for success. A number of MAP My Way sessions have a technology theme, so if you'd like to find out more, make a note in your calendar and come along at any time you can make it within the hours of 12pm to 2pm. No booking necessary.

Wednesday 4 October 2023 12pm-2pm	Getting started with Tech at MU
Wednesday 18 October 2023 12pm-2pm	Tech Support: Writing an Assignment
Thursday 26 October 2023 12pm-2pm	Tech Support: Writing an Assignment
Wednesday 8 November 2023 12pm-2pm	MILO: Minding your Mind
Wednesday 15 November 2023 12pm-2pm	Study Skills: Studying with Tech
Wednesday 29 November 2023 12pm-2pm	Technology for exams

LIST Library Technology Sessions 11am or 12pm
There will also be a number of technology themed LIST (Library Information Skills Tutorials) sessions taking place in the Library training rooms this semester where you can discover the technology skills you need for college. LIST is open to all students at MU and you can drop in without booking. Download the full LIST schedule for 2023-24.

Tuesday 26 September 2023 11am-11.45am	Getting Started with Tech at MU
Friday 29 September 2023 11am-11.45am	Free Premium Apps for MU students
Wednesday 4 October 2023 11am-11.45am	MILO (Maynooth Inclusive Learning Online) Workshop
Monday 9 October 2023 12pm-12.45pm	Technology for Reading
Friday 13 October 2023 12pm-12.45pm	Technology for Essay Writing

Micro Technology Group Sessions
These group micro sessions on technology run throughout October 2023. These include demos and practice using different apps, software and hardware. Pop over to MAP Lodge to have some fun, meet new people and learn about technology that other students won't know about.

Tuesday 3 October 2023 2pm-3pm

Thursday 5 October 2023 12pm-1pm

Tuesday 10 October 2023 2pm-3pm

Thursday 12 October 2023 12pm-1pm

Tuesday 17 October 2023 2pm-3pm

Thursday 19 October 2023 12pm-1pm

Tuesday 24 October 2023 2pm-3pm

Thursday 26 October 2023 12pm-1pm

Tuesday 31 October 2023 2pm-3pm

Explore the sections below to discover the various educational technology tools that are offered to students in Maynooth University. While some of these are available to all Maynooth University students, a few are offered on the basis of a formal needs assessment arranged with your Maynooth University Access Programme (MAP) Student Advisor.

Reading

1. Microsoft Word

Immersive reader in Microsoft Word offers several tools that make it easier to read digital documents. For example, Word documents can be read aloud, the default white background of the page can be changed to different colours, etc. Immersive Reader can also be used in other Microsoft applications (Outlook, OneNote, Teams, Forms) and Edge browser.

Immersive Reader for reading

2. Read & Write

Read & Write is a software that provides a suite of tools to support literacy. Among these, text-to-speech or read aloud, colour highlights, voice notes and screen masking are useful to assist with reading Word and PDF documents as well as web content.

Reading tools in Read & Write

3. ZoomText

ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a fully integrated magnification and reading program tailored for low-vision users. Magnifier/Reader enlarges and enhances everything on your computer screen, echoes your typing and essential program activity, and automatically reads documents, web pages, email.

ZoomText App Reader overview

4. JAWS

JAWS, Job Access With Speech, is one of the most popular screen readers, developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse. JAWS provides speech and Braille output for the many popular computer applications.

JAWS overview

5. C-Pen Reader Pen

C-Pen Reader Pen is a portable, pocket-sized reading pen that reads text out loud with a human-like digital voice. It promotes independent learning and is useful for users with reading difficulties.

C-Pen Reader Pen overview

6. SensusAccess

SensusAccess is a document conversion service that allows you to convert your readings, PowerPoint presentations, scanned PDF documents and lecture notes into accessible formats, MP3 files, E-books and Digital Braille books.
SensusAccess overview.

Visit Maynooth University SensusAccess to get started.

Note-taking

1. Glean

A digital note-taking solution, Glean enables students to create meaningful notes by digitally recording lectures and seminars and enabling them to navigate, annotate and organise these recordings.

How Glean works

2. Livescribe Pen

What starts on paper, doesn't have to stay there. LiveScribe Smartpen allows you to bring your words and ideas into your digital world. With the pen, you can record your lecture while taking notes using special paper. The pen has a tiny built-in infrared camera that tracks the nib's exact location on the page. Your notes sync with the audio recording of the lecture, allowing you to revisit the exact moment in the lecture.

How Livescribe Echo Smartpen works

3. OneNote

OneNote is a digital notebook that automatically saves and syncs your notes as you work. Type directly in your notebook and collate information in it from various sources. Draw your ideas or take handwritten notes. For easy follow-up, highlight and tag your content. Collaborate with others by sharing your notebooks, and access them from any device.

A beginner's guide to Microsoft OneNote

Writing and Proofing

1. Microsoft Word

Dictate in Microsoft Word can support with writing essays, assignments and any other content. It uses speech-to-text technology, enabling typing using voice. All you need is a microphone and reliable internet connection. It is also available in Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint and OneNote.

How to use Dictate in MS Word, Powerpoint, OneNote and Outlook

Editor in Microsoft Word allows you to improve your writing by checking for grammar, spelling, and vocabulary errors and more, and makes suggestions to correct them.

How to use Editor in Word, email and on the web

2. Read & Write

Read & Write is a software that provides a suite of tools to support literacy. Among these, word prediction, spell checker and dictionary are useful to assist with writing.

How to use Read & Write writing tools

3. Inspiration 10

Inspiration 10 is visual thinking tool useful for creating mind maps, concept maps, web diagrams, outlines and presentations. When writing essays or assignments, a mind map can be used to represent ideas and concepts in a graphical way. It helps to structure information, enabling users to better analyse, understand, synthesise, recall and generate new ideas. Mind maps can also be useful for researching and consolidating information from various sources, note-taking, planning, and studying and memorisation.

Inspiration 10 overview

4. Grammarly

Grammarly is a software that helps to improve writing by correcting grammatical errors, checking your writing for clarity, conciseness and other related aspects.

5. Dragon

Dragon is a voice recognition software that enables you to dictate documents, search the web, email and more on your computer quickly and accurately just by using your voice. From making status updates and searching the web to creating reports and spreadsheets, Dragon speech recognition software lets you do it all—faster and more efficiently.

Dragon speech-to-text overview

Organisation and Time Management

1. OneDrive

OneDrive is a cloud storage service offered by Microsoft. Users can safely store their files on OneDrive, sync files automatically from their computer to OneDrive, share them with others, and access them from anywhere on any device.

How to use Microsoft OneDrive

2. To Do

Microsoft To Do is a task management app that allows users to stay organised, set reminders and manage day-to-day tasks more efficiently.

How to use Microsoft To Do

3. My Study Life App

My Study Life is a student planner app that can make your study life easier to manage. Use it to manage your time and keep track of every single academic task – no matter how big or small. Get notifications for upcoming classes, assignments or exams, as well as incomplete tasks, on all your devices. Better organisation will allow you to be a more productive student, creating more time for you to spend on the things that matter to you most.

My Study Life overview

Collaboration and Group Work

1. Whiteboard

Microsoft Whiteboard is a collaboration tool that allows users to quickly share ideas with others by drawing or typing content, adding sticky notes and images, etc. A team member can leave comments and suggestions directly on the Whiteboard canvas. Everything that is done on the board is automatically saved to the Microsoft cloud.

How to use Microsoft Whiteboard

2. Milo Tech Section

Check out the Group Work Tech section on our online learning platform Milo.

There are lots of free apps and Microsoft tools to explore that help your group to collaborate and achieve its goals.

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