Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1404. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to include coding and software development in the ICT curriculum for schools. [34190/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The NCCA has developed a short course on "Coding" which is available to schools for their Junior Cycle programme on an optional basis from this September. Through participation in this course it is expected that students will learn core computational concepts. All the key skills in the Framework for Junior Cycle highlight the use of digital technology right across their junior cycle. The use of "technology and digital media tools to learn, communicate, work and think collaboratively and creatively in a responsible and ethical manner" is one of the statements of learning that will inform the programme being offered by schools

In fact, the use of ICT will permeate the experiences of all Junior Cycle students as the new Framework is implemented.

Problem solving and computational thinking skills are developed in this course as students build and create software projects using their own ideas and imagination. The course looks to build on any coding skills that primary students might have experienced while offering insight into possible future studies in computer science and software engineering.