12 Feb 2013, 17:15
The Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection will tomorrow consider digital literacy with officials from the Department of Education and Skills.
12 February 2013
The students in Irish schools ranked 8th out of the 19 countries that participated in the OECD's Digital Literacy test. Just four countries, Korea, New Zealand, Australia and Japan, had significantly higher scores than Ireland.
Committee Chair Joanna Tuffy TD says: “Digital literacy skills are indispensable for the 21st century, with so much of our daily lives now conducted online. Social media channels are also profoundly changing the way we relate to one another, while online channels are now the norm in interactions with businesses and government. From using Facebook to buying airline tickets and filling out job applications and tax returns, digital literacy equips our young people to participate fully in the information-based society. It will also underpin the creation of a knowledge economy, so central to securing jobs in Ireland into the future.
\"Recent international studies have suggested that Irish students' ability to read computer based text such as emails and websites is significantly above the average of 19 OECD countries. However, there is no room for complacency and our Committee will have the opportunity to engage with Department Officials on plans to further develop ICT infrastructure in Irish schools. The Committee will also be interested exploring the extent to which new technologies can assist and enhance learning at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. \"
The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 13 February at 1 p.m. in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000.
Committee proceedings can be viewed online via this link.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership
Deputies:
James Bannon, Fine Gael
Ray Butler, Fine Gael
Joan Collins, People Before Profit
Clare Daly, Independent
Brendan Griffin, Fine Gael
Simon Harris, Fine Gael
Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fáil
Nicky McFadden, Fine Gael
Jonathan O'Brien, Sinn Féin
Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Labour Party (Vice Chair)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Sinn Féin
Willie O’Dea, Fianna Fáil
Brendan Ryan, Labour Party
Joanna Tuffy, Labour Party (Chair)
Senators:
Jim D’Arcy
Fidelma Healy Eames
Marie Moloney
Averil Power
Diarmuid Wilson