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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - State Examinations.

David Stanton

Ceist:

733 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the consideration which has been given to developing a curriculum for computer science at junior cycle level in secondary schools; his further plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17136/02]

In 2001, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, commissioned a report from the University of Limerick on the possibility of introducing computer science as a leaving certificate subject. While the focus of this research was the established leaving certificate, the report provides important insights into the introduction of a curriculum for computer science at any stage of the second level curriculum.

The report studies the likely impact on overall curriculum provision at second level and the possible impact on higher and further education. It identifies two major dichotomies: whether the subject content should be computer science or computer skills; and whether this area 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 junior certificate level can be revisited.
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