Digital Learning

Digital Learning at The Digital Hub

Since its foundation in 2003 The Digital Hub has been a supportive partner of the local community, by running several learning initiatives for people of all ages. Community learning programmes are run with local partners to give children and young people the 21st century digital skills that are so necessary in today’s world.

Across the last five years alone over 800 people — primary and secondary school children, older people and other groups in our community, including residents — have participated in a learning programme or activity at The Digital Hub that was either run by DHDA or co-run by DHDA and a partner organisation.

800+ people have participated in learning programmes at The Digital Hub since 2017

Digital learning programme highlights include:

2022: The Digital Hub and Teen-Turn, the national charity dedicated to providing teen girls the opportunity to gain hands-on STEM experience and the support to acquire qualifications and jobs, launched Teen Turn+ in an effort to address the digital divide in advanced scientific and technology skills within second level education. It provides hands on exposure to advanced scientific and technology topics in AI, physics and object-oriented programming.

2021: The Screen8 filmmaking programme expanded to older people in our community. Sixteen local residents from Dublin 8 with an age range of 61 to 90 participated in the programme and created a short film called ‘Waiting’, which explored the wholesome and sometimes antagonistic relationships of a local community who are often left to meet up in the local doctor’s surgery. It explored themes including isolation, kinship and the practical impacts of gaining a few years through the unique sense of banter among Dublin 8’s over 60s. Waiting was screened at the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival in February 2022.

2020: The Covid-19 pandemic and resulting public health guidance resulted in many of activities being suspended. DHDA was, however, able to work with its partners to bring four important learning programmes online; The D8 surfers Club, The Liber8 Music Project, Screen8 and Teen-Turn. The virtual D8 Surfers Club, in particular, was a valuable source of connection and interaction for many older people in the area throughout Covid-19.

2019: Eighteen first time filmmakers from Dublin 8 and its surrounds, saw the premiere of their short documentary No Place Like Home at the prestigious Dublin International Film Festival. The short documentary was the result of their participation on the Screen8 filmmaking programme run by The Digital Hub and the Dublin International Film Festival.

2018: The Digital Hub and the Dublin Film Festival establish Screen8 — a free out-of-school programme designed to give local young people an opportunity to be creative, develop filmmaking skills under the supervision of Irish filmmakers, and develop awareness of, and the confidence to pursue, a career in the film industry.

2017: DHDA and BIMM Dublin establish The Liber8 Music Project, a free afterschool programme for local young people, who may have limited exposure to music and digital media, to immerse them in a creative programme which also helps them to develop those 21st century skills necessary for further education and future careers.

2017: The Digital Pathways Project, which was inspired by the Future Creators programme, is selected as a “Success Story” by the European Commission, having distinguished itself by its impact, contribution to policymaking, innovative results and/or creative approach.

2015: DHDA sets-up The D8 Surfers Club — a free digital literacy initiative to help residents who have limited experience of communication tools and the internet, to get online and find out how the Internet can benefit them in their everyday lives.

2015: The Digital Hub in partnership with National College of Art and Design (NCAD) and H2 Learning establish the The Future Creators Cadets. The programme was inspired by the Future Creators Programme and is tailored to the abilities, interests and needs of primary school children and develops STEAM competencies.

2011: DHDA and H2 Learning establish the Future Creators, a free out-of-school STEM programme to provides teenagers with opportunities to develop digital competences by engaging in coding, music, animation, filmmaking and editing projects. Key 21st century skills such as teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving and communication are also developed amongst the participants. The programme was supported by National College of Art and Design (NCAD), until it was wound down in 2020.

2009: A survey conducted amongst 167 teachers in the 16 schools that participate in The Digital Hub’s learning programme found that teachers working in the vicinity of The Digital Hub use Information Communication Technology (ICT) much more frequently than their colleagues elsewhere and are more confident about integrating technology and digital media into the school curriculum.

2007: An independent evaluation into the Learning Initiative found a marked increase in levels of digital literacy among those who had participated in Digital Hub learning programmes since they began operating in 2002. Furthermore, 46 per cent of participants in community learning projects expect to go on to seek employment in the digital media sector, while 44 per cent intend progressing to further education. This is undeniable proof that the Learning Initiative is having a positive effective on the local community.