3. Education and ICT

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ITC & education pie charts. Source: ICT infrastructure and Planning in Schools, Department of Education and Science, 200

ICT & Education bar charts. Source: ICT infrastructure and Planning in Schools, Department of Education and Science, 2008

“Could do better” is the verdict of a major new study on ICT in Irish schools.

The report by the Department of Education and Science’s Inspectorate found encouraging improvements in student-to-computer ratios, and that most schools now have an ICT plan.

But three in five primary schools and one in four secondary schools do not report having a website. A third (34%) of inspectors’ reports on classroom observations reveal limited, inappropriate or no use at all of ICT in teaching and learning in primary schools.

Meanwhile a new strategy document published by the Minister for Education and Science addresses some of the shortcomings. Investing Effectively in Information and Communications Technology in Schools 2008-2013 includes a series of major commitments.

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