There is a veritable wealth of new online supports available. Some are free, some with premium levels – aimed at exam-year students. Here are some for you to consider:
Examlearn.ie Simplify the Junior and Leaving Cert. This started life as a Transition Year project for Jack Manning and his classmates at Clonkeen College in Deansgrange, south Dublin.
HomeSchool.ie This is a new player in the market and has a very fresh and interesting offering. Established by former teacher Paul Kelly, the site is an online tuition service providing lessons and teacher support at primary and secondary level. Each week, students receive a pre-recorded video lesson alongside interactive PDF notes and sample answers.
Jumpagrade.com It asks students to complete a needs analysis, helping identify where they need the most help and support. Tutors then allocate homework, with students uploading photos of their work and receiving personalised feedback within 48 hours.
StudyNotes.ie This site offers revision notes, flashcards, quizzes, a study planner, discussion forum, video tutorials and a note-taking facility. Other honourable mentions
ExamSupport.ie With over 400 hours of video and tutorials, as well as exam answer;
iRevise.com Formerly
Mocks.ie, this site offers free and premium options with notes, sample answers and video tutorials;
map.LeavingCertIrish.com: Stuck with your sraith pictiúr? Anxious about your orals? John Gavin’s excellent site offers free notes and supports – while there is a premium section for more detailed support.
MathsTutor.ie This video-based site helps simply complex maths challenges at Junior and Leaving Cert level. Study skills and time managementAll the notes in the world will be of little use if students can’t manage to stay focused, put the phone aside and study effectively.
ExamStudyPlus The 5 Step Learning Ladder is the based on the core teachings of examstudyplus.thinkific.com) is a tried-and-tested system devised by Kevin Flanagan, author of the best-selling book Maximum Points, Minimum Panic which focuses on note-taking for top grades, distraction-free study, retaining information, learning while you relax and answering exam questions. The course costs €29, or for €8 per month students can get the full course plus access to coaching with study
experts.MyStudyPal.ie This newcomer has a different offering. Designed by 19-year-old student Mark Nealon, it helps plan the revision timetable by topic, devise a personalised study plan and track study progress. Social plans can be added to the calendar too. The site offers a free 30-day trial, and after that it’s €29.99 per month for students.
CleverNotes.ie This is a simple and free site offering succinct advice on how to take good notes efficiently. Learning aids There’s a heavy curriculum focus on most of the learning sites here, but there are many international apps and websites that can be excellent learning supports for both primary and secondary school students.
KhanAcademy.org This site produces short educational YouTube videos and is by far the most familiar and successful. It is used to provide or supplement education to people of all ages across the world.
classroom.Alison.com This Galway-based e-learning provider with more than 1,000 free courses is available for over 11 million registered learners, who have access to courses from universities and private companies across the world.
Duolingo.com Last year, Junior Cert student Eimear Kennedy got top marks for Italian – even though it wasn’t even on the curriculum at her school. Instead, she studied using the Duolingo website and app, and then moved on to YouTube clips and finally Italian pop music and television.
