Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2012
132. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide information on the various types of ICT education which is offered in primary and post-primary schools; if he will provide a list of schools which do not offer ICT education; the measures he is proposing to ensure a high level of functional and theoretical ICT knowledge amongst school age children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51215/12]
View answerThe curriculum in schools is devised on the basis that ICT is a tool to be embedded into the teaching and learning of all subjects and therefore in all schools. A recent report by my Department's Inspectorate found that there is a trend towards the greater incorporation of ICT into classroom activities in our primary schools.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has developed an ICT framework which sets out a structured approach to ICT in curriculum and assessment. This sets out the types of learning appropriate for students during the period of compulsory education and provides a guide to teachers for embedding ICT across the curriculum.
A Framework for Junior Cycle was published last month. It contains 24 Statements of Learning which students should experience. One of the Statements of Learning aims to ensure that all students "use ICT effectively and ethically in learning and in life". The key skills in Junior Cycle include the use of digital technology to ensure successful learning by students.
The Junior Cycle Framework will allow for the introduction of short courses. Seven short courses, including short courses on Digital Media Literacy and in Programming/ Coding, are currently being developed by the NCCA for use by schools from 2014. In addition, schools will have the opportunity to develop their own short courses, in accordance with set specifications, to reflect the needs and interests of their students.
My Department has introduced a number of measure to support the use of ICT in schools. These measure have included funding for increased broadband capacity in post-primary schools as well as funding for the provision of laptops/ PC and a data projector for teaching purposes in primary school classrooms.
There is also a Transition Year option in relation to Having Fun with Computer Programming and Games and, under the ICT Action Plan, this is being expanded nationally. At Senior Cycle, the development of ICT skills is important not only in the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and in the Leaving Certificate Applied but also in the study of Design Communication and Graphics where it is a core component of the learning.
