Vol. 513 No. 6
447 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to introduce computer studies as an examination subject in the curriculum of second level schools over the coming years; and, if not, the period of study time which will be set aside for the teaching of computer studies at junior and senior levels. [3382/00]
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment – NCCA – which advises me on the curriculum has established a steering committee for information and communication technologies with a brief to advise on provision for information communication technologies in the formal education system.
At post-primary level the work is focused on:
use of information communication technologies as a tool for teaching and learning across the curriculum;
the potential for a competency based short course at junior cycle and
the possibility of a full subject at senior cycle.
Proposals for programmes will outline particular resource requirements, including teaching time. The committee is taking full account of up-to-date research and international practice in this area. The NCCA will advise me of the outcomes of this work in due course.
The emphasis on training programmes for teachers, in the context of the Schools IT 2000 initiative, has been on the development of generic skills to enables them use information communication technology skills in an integrated, cross-curricular manner.
