In The Papers 15 September

15-09-2008

by Sylvia Leatham

Science teaching hampered by lack of resources | EA abandons Take-Two takeover talks

The Irish Examiner reports that efforts to get more children interested in science are being hindered by a lack of teaching materials and overcrowded classes, according to an official report to Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe. The report by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) on how the primary curriculum is being implemented found that greater investment in human and capital resources is needed in order to achieve the Government and industry aim of getting young people to study science through to Leaving Certificate and third level. In response to questions on the challenges of teaching science, almost two in five teachers cited a lack of resources and equipment. Other difficulties included a lack of running water, storage facilities and science books for teachers, particularly in all-Irish schools. Almost one in five said class size was a challenge.

Separately, the paper says the impact of Ireland's low level of computer and other technological facilities in schools is also highlighted in the primary curriculum review report. The NCCA report reveals that barely two-in-five teachers frequently or sometimes use ICT in science. Most of the teachers who used computers did so for planning or research, rather than to present information or demonstrate experiments to students. "About one-third of computers [in schools] are now clapped out and belong in museums, not in classrooms. They can't be used to run modern software and access the internet," said Irish National Teachers' Organisation general secretary John Carr.

According to the Financial Times, Electronic Arts has abandoned talks over a deal to buy rival videogame maker Take-Two Interactive Software and will not press forward with a bid, ending its seven-month battle to acquire the company. EA has been attempting to acquire Take-Two since February. The videogame rivals started formal talks over a deal under a month ago. EA said on Sunday, however, that after reviewing Take-Two's financial materials and hearing presentations from management, it had "decided not to make a proposal to acquire Take-Two and has terminated discussions". Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two's chairman, said his company was still "actively engaged in discussions with other parties in the context of our formal process to consider strategic alternatives".

The same paper says that Time Warner has decided to focus on its core strength: the creation of entertainment and journalism for big global audiences. That means distancing itself from businesses such as dial-up internet and encouraging more co-operation between the businesses it wants to expand, says Jeffrey Bewkes, who became chief executive in January.

The Wall Street Journal notes that Google has acquired Korean blogging software company Tatter and Company (TNC), a push to expand into a market where Google remains a relatively small player. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. TNC co-chief executive Chang Kim announced the acquisition on his personal blog, saying that the deal would boost Google's market share in Korea, where portals like Yahoo are very popular. He also added that TNC would try to introduce its blogging platform, known as Textcube, outside Korea.

The Sunday Tribune reports that Government incentives were a major factor behind educational publisher Houghton Miffin Harcourt's decision to locate a EUR350 million e-learning R&D centre in Ireland, according to Fiona O'Carroll, senior vice president of digital products at the company. While an Enterprise Ireland spokesperson declined to reveal the amount of financial support given to HMH, it is believed to be in excess of EUR30 million, the paper says.

According to the same paper, mobile operator O2 has confirmed that it is in talks with BT regarding the outsourcing of its network management division. Up to 100 O2 staff could move to BT if the deal goes ahead.

Elsewhere, the Sunday Independent reports on a feasibility study commissioned by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on the creation of a national research website where all publicly funded research projects and information would be published. Last week, the IUA held a research information systems conference to examine EU best practice in the area.

The same paper reports that David Ferguson has been appointed principal consultant at SAS Ireland's customer excellence centre in Dublin.

Meanwhile, the Sunday Business Post reports that I-conx Solutions -- a Dublin-based firm that provides billing solutions to the telecommunications industry -- will report a return to profitability in the next two weeks.

The same paper reports that mobile software firm NewBay is on the verge of closing another major contract, just a week after closing a deal with American mobile operator US Cellular to provide its LifeCache social networking software to mobile users.

The same paper reports on this week's launch of Moneyville.ie, a website developed by National Irish Bank aimed at teaching 5-to-7-year-olds about money. Staying with banks, the paper also reports that Ulster Bank has launched a presence on social networking site Bebo, as part of its annual drive to attract student customers.

The Sunday Business Post also reports on the launch of www.biopharmaspecialist.com, a new one-stop shop providing specialist services to the biotech, paharmaceutical, and associated industries.

In the same paper is news that the Dublin-based Guinness Enterprise Centre intends to scale up its funding and provide support to more early-stage technology companies.

The paper also says that Irish online back-up services company Central Databank has formed a partnership with specialist software firm Shortcuts Software to provide a managed back-end service.

Elsewhere in the paper is a report that HP and the ESB have entered into a partnership that will see the ESB recommend HP's blade servers to SMEs because of their energy-efficiency.

Finally, the paper notes that e-commerce firm Magico will host an e-commerce seminar next month on a range of internet marketing topics, from search engine optimisation to e-mail marketing.

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