David Stanton
Question:237 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to evaluate students on computer literacy at primary and post-primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26818/02]
Written Answers. - School Curriculum.
While there are currently no plans to formally evaluate the computer literacy of students at primary or post-primary level, my Department is funding the appointment of two specialist officers to the National Council for Curriculum Assessment, NCCA, to monitor and evaluate the development of computer skills in school and to promote the effective use of computers in the curriculum. The officers, who are due to be appointed shortly, will work in close collaboration with the National Centre for Technology in Education, NCTE, so that issues relating to information and communications technology, ICT, in the curriculum may be progressed at both first and second level.
The NCCA has advised me that, rather than introduce a stand-alone, computer-based subject at junior or leaving certificate level, the focus at both primary and post-primary levels should be on the use of ICT as a teaching and learning tool and its integration across the curriculum. To this end, guidelines for teachers on the use of ICT are being prepared by the NCCA.
At both first and second level, students are encouraged to use ICT and to develop their skills in this regard. At post-primary level, in particular, a number of subjects provide opportunities for students to incorporate the use of ICT in their work, including the preparation and presentation of project and folio work in the State examinations.
At leaving certificate, students may undertake a school-based, optional module in computer studies. This does not form part of the leaving certificate, but students who take it, and perform satisfactorily, will be given a statement to that effect by my Department.
I should add that the determination and evaluation of computer skills in education is a matter of ongoing discussion at international level. Within the EU and the OECD, the development of appropriate metrics of digital literacy in education are being considered and my Department is playing an active role in this debate.
The Programme for International Assessment, PISA, in which Ireland is participating, plans to gather some background information on computer use by 15 year olds. A number of questions has been included in the student questionnaire for PISA 2003. The responses to these by the random representative sample of Irish students who participate will be indicative of the general level of familiarity with, and use of, computers among 15 year olds in Ireland.