Developed some interest in the idea of computers in my schooldays – notably around the
beginning of the 1960s. Faraday lecture on “Transistors and all that”; talk to my class – we
all had to give one if I recall correctly – on “the binary system (not in the maths curriculum
then) and computers” [anecdote on my parents’ different reactions]
Did my degree in Maths in Trinity in the early 1960s.
Graduate work in London … captivated by logic and the foundations of mathematics,
including theoretical computing as manifested in Turing machines and the concept of
computability.
Came back to Ireland in 1969 to do the HDip, then teach in Alexandra College, then back to
TCD to do the MEd … during this entire period (which coincided with stirrings of interest in
computers in education here and initial Departmental activity) so many things contrived to
enhance my interest in ideas both of computing – including computing in schools – and the
use of computers in T&L.
Went to what was the foundational meeting of CESI, January 1973, but only as a stand-in (for
Fr. Cyril Byrne who wrote the programming language CSSP for schools) so I don’t regard
myself as a founder member. Fr. Cyril started – or at least, Prof. John Byrne started & Fr.
Cyril taught – the Computers in Education Diploma at TCD in autumn 1973, and the first
cohort of students effectively became the Dublin Branch of CESI.
In CESI ever since … usually on the Executive (and have served as national Vice-Chair or
whatever we were calling it at the time). Member of various CESI delegations / visits to the
Department over the years.
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