Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 205: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of funding teacher upskilling courses run by the National Centre for Technology in Education; the breakdown for funding each of these courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23783/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In 2010, the NCTE provided teacher Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to 11,353 teachers via the education centre network and on-line. The cost of delivery of this CPD in 2010 was € 958,751.22. A wide range of courses is provided by NCTE consisting of standard, NCTE-designed courses, courses tailored to the needs of the school (known as Whole School Training), more informal support groups and on-line courses.

Course delivery costs are based on standard rates for all face to face courses in respect of tutor fees, venues, travel and subsistence, administration etc. Course costs therefore vary based on the course duration and the number of participants rather than on the course title.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 206: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of funding from his Department for the Irish National Teachers' Organisation run courses under the National Centre for Technology in Education; if he will provide a breakdown of these costs for each course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23784/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In 2010, the NCTE funded the INTO to provide 2 courses to 597 teachers in total. The total cost was €52,966.20 (including the cost of course updates, tutor training, administration and related fees). Courses for which the delivery was part-funded in 2010 were: Supporting and Developing ICT as a Teaching and Learning Resource Beyond 2020: Using Technology in the Primary School.

The funding is not currently broken down by course. A breakdown of the funding is as follows:

Course Development Costs: 1,200.00

Tutor Training Costs: 8,849.02

Face to Face Delivery Costs: 24,670.32

On-line Course Delivery Costs: 8,753.33

Administration, Auditing & Accounting fee: 9,493.53

Total €52,966.20

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 207: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of teacher training upskilling courses run by the National Centre for Technology in Education which are not alternatively provided by private sector education providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23785/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

NCTE courses are unique in that they are designed and delivered by qualified teachers based on nationally and locally identified need and government priorities, such as literacy and numeracy. They are available throughout the year and are fully funded by NCTE, so that teachers do not have to pay course fees. Most courses are delivered face to face to ensure that teachers gain adequate hands-on practical skills combined with the knowledge of how to use ICT as an integral part of the curriculum. The "whole-school" orientation of many courses is also unique to NCTE/NCTE funded courses, allowing teachers to learn based on their specific needs and using the equipment in their own school.

Courses developed by the NCTE are run either by the NCTE, by the network of education centres or by non-profit educational partners.

In 2010, NCTE courses included the following: Computer Maintenance & Useful Applications for Creating Teaching Resources (NCTE/T4) Creating your School's Website using Scoilnet Blogs Developing e-Learning in your School , ICT & Language in the Primary Classroom (NCTE/MLPSI) Incorporating Computer Control into student work using a PIC Microcontroller (NCTE/T4) ICT & Maths (NCTE/Project Maths) Scoilnet & On-line Encyclopaedias Scoilnet Maps Supporting and Developing ICT as a Teaching and Learning Resource (NCTE/INTO) TFC agus an Ghaeilge (NCTE/STDL Gaeilge) Using the Interactive Whiteboard Web 2.0 for Learning (Blogs, Podcasts & Wikis).