Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2013
135. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way the ICT infrastructure can be further developed in schools in order to progress students' digital literacy skills; his views on the importance of digital literacy skills, particularly in relation to employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9253/13]
View answerLiteracy is a national priority under the Programme for Government. The Government is determined that all young people will leave school able to read, communicate orally, in writing and in digital media, and be able to understand and use mathematics in their everyday lives and in further learning. The Literacy and Numeracy Strategy which was launched in July 2011 adopts a modern and comprehensive definition of literacy which includes digital literacy. The strategy sets out a range of improvement targets for literacy and numeracy including digital literacy. The new Junior Cycle which is to be implemented in schools on a phased basis from 2014. Eight skills underpin the learning which is to take place at Junior Cycle. Among the key skills, are literacy and numeracy, including digital literacy and each of the key skills has elements which relate to digital literacy. These will be embedded in all of the new subject and short course specifications developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment for the new Junior Cycle. In addition, the new Junior Cycle Framework also provides for short courses designed for approximately 100 hours of student engagement over two or three years and specified at a common level across the entire junior cycle.
The NCCA is currently working on short courses in relation to digital literacy and programming and coding. These will be available to schools from 2014. ICT (including ICT infrastructure) is an important tool in the development of digital skills. ICT provides teachers with more up to date, exciting and relevant ways of presenting and engaging with the curriculum. One of the most important ICT infrastructure developments is the provision of 100mbps to post primary schools. The availability of high speed broadband opens up endless possibilities for the use of ICT in the classroom. In addition to the availability of infrastructure, teachers must be proficient in the use of ICT in teaching and learning and curriculum relevant digital content must be available for use by those teachers.
There are a numerous specific examples of how ICT can be used to enhance the teaching of literacy skills. One particular project where ICT is used as an incentive to improve literacy levels among school children is the FIS Bookclub. The Bookclub is an online network designed to facilitate peer-to-peer book reviews for primary school pupils. The network allows pupils to upload video reviews of their own choice of books, for the benefit of other members. Technologies such as visualiser, interactive whiteboards and more increasingly individual student devices are being used in the classroom. These technologies in particular can be used across a range of literacy activities at primary and post primary level. For both primary and post primary level, Scoilnet, the national portal for digital content in Irish Education provides a central resource to teachers, pupils and parents, offering access to a growing repository of advice and information. There are over 12,000 specific resources relating to the curriculum available.
The education system has a key role to play in fostering and developing the digital literacy and ICT skills necessary for the competitive employment market. In view of the importance of digital literacy skills in relation to employment opportunities my Department is actively pursuing a programme of work to ensure our young people leave school with the skills necessary. In addition, the joint Government-Industry ICT Action Plan which I launched last year outlines a range of short, medium and long term measures to increase the domestic supply of high level ICT graduates from the education system.
