Vol. 544 No. 2
18 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to circular 53/2000 issued by his Department in respect of the purchase of data logging equipment, he will explain the rationale for stipulating that graphic calculators must be purchased; if he will withdraw this circular and authorise schools to purchase pocket personal computers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28248/01]
Until quite recently the majority of second level schools did not use information technology facilities in the teaching of the physical science subjects. In response to this and as part of the Government's initiative to promote the physical sciences, last year I sanctioned the payment of grants amounting to £10,500 per school for the purpose of acquiring equipment for use in science laboratories including information technology equipment. Circular letter 53/2000, which was issued from my Department in December of last year, recommended that schools acquire data logging equipment – hardware, software and sensors-probes – for the teaching of the physical sciences at senior and junior cycle levels in second levels schools. Data logging equipment facilitates a range of class experiments involving the collection of data by students in real time, and the storage and analysis of the data using graphic calculators. Students can download data to a computer for further analysis as required. Additionally, data logging equipment is readily capable of collecting data outside the laboratory and permits demonstration and experiments in real time using a PC and a wide range of sensors for example temperature, light, voltage and motion. In addition to the benefits outlined above, data logging equipment with graphic calculators can be used in the teaching of biology and mathematics.
As the Deputy will appreciate, technology is in a state of continual evolution, including the emerging technology of miniature palm personal computers, and these may indeed have useful and valuable application in classrooms and laboratories in the future. I must follow a prudent course, however, and the new technology, unlike the data loggers with graphic calculators, is not yet fully proven in the educational world. Clearly it may receive greater endorsement in the future that is grounded in the experience of the science community and that goes beyond supplier claims. For the moment, however, it makes very good sense to recommend systems that have a proven international track record. I will of course keep developments under review.
