Reports on ICT in Schools Published

Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe, T.D., today (10 July, 2008) published two reports on ICT in Schools.  Investing Effectively in Information and Communications Technology in Schools 2008-2013 is the Report of the Strategy Group appointed to advise on the priorities for investment in ICT in Schools having regard to the critical success factors for successful integration of ICT into learning and teaching.  ICT in Schools reports on the evaluation of the impact of ICT on teaching and learning undertaken by the Department’s Inspectorate.    

Importance of ICT in Education

The Government’s commitment to integrating ICT in teaching and learning is set out in the Programme for Government and the need for investment in this area is recognised in the National Development Plan where provision is made for investing €252m over the period to 2013.

Achievements to Date

The Reports being published today acknowledge the progress made to date on foot of the investment of almost €200m under the ICT in Schools Programme, with large numbers of teachers undertaking ICT professional development programmes and schools developing ICT facilities.   The priority attached to the integration of ICT is also evident from the investment in ICT by schools themselves.

New Focus on Developing Elearning Culture in Schools

The Reports identify the need for a holistic approach addressing the areas of professional development, appropriate digital content, ICT infrastructure in all classrooms, broadband connectivity and technical support.   They also highlight the critical role of the Principal and ICT Co-ordinator in driving the integration of ICT within the school.

Key Role of School ICT-Co-ordinator

The role of the individual school ICT co-ordinator will now be prioritised. This is in keeping with international best practice where local school based and peer to peer support is identified as the most effective way to further ICT integration in schools. The National Centre for Technology in Education will publish a handbook for principals and ICT co-ordinating teachers Planning and Implementing e-Learning in your School.  A professional development course for ICT coordinating teachers on the development of e-Learning Plans will be available along with nationwide seminars on e-Learning for principals and ICT coordinating teachers to be run in the Autumn. 

ICT Integration Across all Support Service Activities

Recognising the need to incorporate ICT into all school support activities, the NCTE will collaborate with the various school support agencies to integrate ICT into the delivery of all support services. New online & blended ICT professional courses will be made available and ICT will be integrated in all curriculum development activities.

Digital Content

Substantial digital resources are currently being accessed on the web portal Scoilnet and the NCTE will expand and develop further digital content for teaching and learning.

Broadband

The Department will shortly be tendering for the next round of service under the Schools Broadband Programme and the range of services available to schools will be expanded.  A free website hosting service will be provided to schools, which will provide a unique '.scoilnet.ie' website address to schools.  The Government objective of equipping second-level schools with 100Mb per second of broadband connectivity and installing local area networks as outlined in the Next Generation Broadband Policy Paper will be pursued.

Infrastructure Developments

Since 2004, all new school building projects must comply with the Department’s ICT Infrastructure Guidelines. Major new primary school building projects now include an ICT equipment budget as in the case of post-primary building projects.

Support for Disadvantaged Schools

Disadvantaged schools are benefiting from the €3.4m ICT Grant Scheme for DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) Schools from the Dormant Accounts (Educational Disadvantage) Fund.  Building on this scheme, a further €1m Fund is being provided to assist up to 100 DEIS primary schools achieve digital status.  Applications will be invited from the schools concerned on their return in September