Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2017
122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which etechnology has become available to all schools at primary and second level throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32006/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 (Enhancing Teaching, Learning & Assessment), launched in October 2015, sets out a clear vision that is focused on realising the potential of digital technologies to transform the learning experience of students by helping them become engaged thinkers, active learners, knowledge constructors and global citizens who participate fully in society and the economy.
This policy document sets out a plan to embed ICT in teaching learning and assessment in primary and post primary schools through an ambitious programme of works for the period 2015-2020 across a number of headings:
Theme 1: Teaching, Learning and Assessment Using ICT
Theme 2: Teacher Professional Development
Theme 3: Leadership, Research and Policy
Theme : ICT Infrastructure
An evidence-based approach was used to develop the Strategy, including an analysis of the 2013 online census of teachers and principals (available at http://www.erc.ie/documents/ict_cencus2013_summaryreport.pdf). The survey showed that teachers and schools are positively disposed to using ICT and are reasonably well resourced in that regard but there remains some challenges in the areas of connectivity at primary level and in training and development. The four Themes emerged as a roadmap for the embedding of ICT in teaching, learning and assessment.
The implementation of the Strategy is currently underway. A detailed Action Plan for 2017 was recently launched, based on the objectives outlined in the Digital Strategy. Timelines and lead responsibility have been assigned. Progress on implementation will be reviewed on a quarterly basis and an end of year 2017 progress report will be published. The Action Plan is available on my Department's website at: http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/Digital-Strategy-Action-Plan-2017.pdf. The Plan for 2017 has some key elements:
- The scoping of an innovative clustering model across the country to innovate, harness good practice and create pathways for accelerated collaborative innovation by schools
- A programme of curriculum reforms will see ICT embedded in all emerging curricular specifications and intense preparation for the phased introduction of Computer Science as a Leaving Certificate subject option from 2018.
- The localization of the UNESCO ICT Competency Framework though the development of a Digital Learning Framework that will give clarity to teachers and schools around the concept of embedding ICT into teaching, learning and assessment. This Framework will help schools and teachers to identify training needs that can be targeted by my Department and its Support Services. The Framework will be made available to all schools from September 2017.
- Provide information to teachers on innovative ways to use digital technologies more actively in their own teaching, including exemplars of good practice, and facilitating the sharing of such practices amongst teachers.
- All professional development supports provided by my Department's Support Services will embed digital technologies and constructivism both in design, development and delivery
Funding of €210m has been committed towards the implementation of the Digital Strategy. The first tranche of this funding, €30m, issued earlier this year to some 3,158 primary and special schools and 666 post -primary schools for the upgrade of ICT infrastructure. The need to provide funding for this purpose was highlighted in the Census analysis. The criteria for funding provides that each school is expected to draw up an eLearning Plan using a whole school approach and taking account of its context and circumstances. The Plan will outline the vision of the school for the embedding of ICT in teaching, learning and assessment and incorporates targets and priorities for improvement and development.
Presently, all schools in the country are offered a broadband internet connection to promote and facilitate the use of eLearning Technology. There is a vast array of internet-based digital tools in use in classrooms, including Interactive Whiteboards, laptops, desktop computers, projectors, tablet computers, software packages and apps, visualisation and mapping tools, digital content and resources.
The decision on which digital tool to use to best support teaching and learning in the implementation of the curriculum is made by each individual school. The emphasis will now however be on the use of these digital tools to effectively embed ICT in teaching, learning and assessment in line with the Digital Strategy.
The PDST Technology in Education provides a range of support services for schools on the effective use of digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment through a variety of means including workshops, blended learning CPD courses, good practice videos, advice on ICT equipment and digital learning tools. It is part of the national support service, the Professional Development Service for Teachers and operates under the remit of my Department. It also manages the Department’s on-line Education Portal Scoilnet.ie which is a key source of online high quality digital content made available for all schools and facilitates sharing of digital resources and good classroom practice between teachers. The website provides in excess of 12,000 + resources aligned with the primary School Curriculum and the Post-Primary Subject Syllabus.
