Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which e-technology has become available to all schools at primary and second level throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17137/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 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 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 ).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 with funding of €210m committed towards its implementation. The first tranche of this funding, €30m,  issued recently to 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.