Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012
103. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update in the pilot programme Future Creators based in the Digital Hub, Dublin, to enhance computer science skills for second level students particularly in the area of coding and application development; his plans to roll out an extended version of this programme to schools nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42645/12]
View answerThe Digital Hub Agency (funded by the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources) and the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) jointly devised 'Future Creators'. It is an education programme which aims to provide young teenagers with an educational experience through digital media, incorporating diverse elements including 'app' development, coding processes, animation and film-making. Future Creators draws on the creativity and innovation cultures of NCAD and Digital Hub. The programme was implemented for the first time in the school year 2011-12 with 24 young people aged between 13 and 16 years in Dublin south inner city. A second cohort is being established for the current school year. The course runs in an after-school setting, two afternoons per week. Through the current year, an emphasis will be placed on dissemination of the model. In particular, it is planned to explore the possibility of developing short courses which can be included within the revised Junior Cycle. This work will complement the work being carried out by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment which is currently developing short courses in digital media literacy and programming/coding in advance of the national roll out of Junior Cycle reform from 2014.
