Belfast members report on the development of Ulster Weans, an educational CD-ROM which will help young people from Northern Ireland understand more about their culture and history.
| You’ll be able to click and watch people Irish dancing or playing in a pipe band, and hear them talk about it. |
Made in Ulster, this interactive CD-ROM for young children will provide information on the rich diversity of our society.
Go to the letter 'A', see a picture of an apple, click: it might dance across the screen, wink at you or introduce you to another bit of food - say, a pork chop. Click: the chop might turn into a grunting pig, which could explain why some people don't eat pork for religious reasons, or it might tell you that an Ulster Fry, although delicious, should be eaten in moderation for health reasons.
Currently, designers and programmers are working to make these fantastical possibilities become reality through the creation of the Ulster Weans A-Z CD-ROM.
Aisleain McGill, Nerve Centre Community Relations Officer, explained that the Ulster Weans A-Z CD-ROM was inspired by a wall frieze of pictures relating to letters of the alphabet, which was put together several years ago by the Community Relations Council.
"It was supposed to represent every child, man and woman doing various activities. When we saw the wall frieze we thought it would be excellent in the format of a CD-ROM," she said.
Funding of £12,500 from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) is supporting this innovative pilot project.
With more fundraising under way, the Nerve Centre aims to provide a unique, interactive resource for primary school children. Used as a teaching resource, the CD-ROM will give young children the opportunity to explore Northern Ireland's diversity from the classroom.
With playstations, computer games and all manner of electronic gadgetry, Ms McGill believes that the CD-ROM must be produced in a way that will engage young people.
"We are going to provide something they can identify with through a format that will appeal to their sophistication. There's few indigenously produced products (of this nature) here in Northern Ireland. This CD will show streets, fields and the surroundings of Northern Ireland and the voice-overs will have Northern Irish accents," she said.
The Nerve Centre production team of graphic designers, animators and programmers are currently working on the letter 'A' and a food section.
"We've money from DCAL to produce a pilot stage but obviously we've got 'B' to 'Z' to do, I wish I could tell you when it will be all done and dusted, but that depends on funding.
There's been a lot of research into sectarian attitudes and attitudes of young people towards the main traditions in Northern Ireland. Some research has found the earlier you start to show children a representative picture of society, the more it helps to normalise other activities," Ms McGill said.
The Nerve Centre believes the CD-ROM will promote debate about these issues in a non-threatening way.
Ulster Weans A-Z CD-ROM will also include information on Northern Ireland's growing diversity.
"A large proportion of children who are from Chinese, Indian or Asian backgrounds will be included in the CD-ROM. They are going to talk about the type of food they eat or the way they worship," she added.
The CD-ROM is aimed at primary school age pupils, mainly Key Stage 2. Once completed it will be available to all primary schools across Northern Ireland.
"There will be real, genuine involvement of young people in the project. You will be able to click on the screen and watch someone doing Irish dancing or playing in a pipe band or doing sport. And you will be able to hear them talk about it." Ms McGill said.
About the team
This story was produced by Mark Luney, 14, Amanda McAteer, 14, and Connor Scullion, 15. It was published in art.ie, a listings magazine for arts and entertainment in Northern Ireland.
