Written Answers. - State Examinations.
David Stanton
Ceist:
726
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if consideration has been given or research or other work carried out into the possibility of introducing computer science as a leaving certificate subject in its own right; if so, the details of such research and work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17032/02]
I can confirm for the Deputy that my Department requested the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment – NCCA – to commission research on the introduction of computer science as a leaving certificate subject in its own right. This research was carried out by the University of Limerick. A report on the research was presented to the NCCA in 2001. The report is entitled Computers and Curriculum–Difficulties and Dichotomies.
The report examines the subject comprehensively and includes an investigation into the interest in, and feasibility of, introducing a computer-based subject to the established leaving cer tificate. Phase one of the research was based on a survey of principals and teachers in second level schools, and representatives of the education partners, business-industry and the third level sector. What emerged from this survey was an acknowledgement of computer literacy as a life-skill and broad agreement among all parties that pupils should be computer literate on leaving school.
Phase two of the research was two-stranded. Strand one involved six discussion-groups and strand two incorporated school-based studies. The school-based studies explored the likely impact of the introduction of a computer based subject in particular school settings. There was general welcome for the idea of the introduction of computers. The report goes on to discuss possible content of a computer science subject, possible modes of assessment of such a subject, and the resource implications for the system if the subject were introduced. It also studies the likely impact on overall curriculum provision at second level and the possible impact on higher and further education. The research identifies two major dichotomies: first, whether subject content should be computer science or computer skills; and secondly, whether the subject should be introduced as a discrete subject or as a life-skill to be integrated across the curriculum.
The NCCA studied this report and a proposal from the councils ICT steering committee in June 2002. The steering committee had felt that a stand-alone subject might stifle efforts to integrate ICT within existing subjects. Thus, for example, if investment in ICT resources became confined to the science-technology area, the use of ICT for teaching and learning in the humanities might be seriously compromised. It was proposed that efforts should concentrate on developments within existing subjects which could benefit from the use of ICT.
It was agreed that, for the present, the NCCA will focus its attention on two approaches to the question of ICT at post-primary level: the development of student competence in using ICT, and the use of ICT as a resource for teaching and learning throughout the curriculum. When these have become sufficiently established, the issue of a stand-alone subject at leaving certificate level can be revisited.
