Somehow, I missed this announcement last week even so it contains 80 actions and sub actions to be completed before the end of 2018. I had a quick look through it.
The trouble with these documents is that they are exceptionally waffle-ridden and really difficult to read. Themes, subthemes, actions, subactions, etc. etc. It would be great if they just divided them into primary / post-primary and then broke them into categories.
At primary level, despite almost everyone in the world of edtech advising against introducing coding in primary schools, there will be a focus on coding in primary schools. One difference is that sticking it into the Maths curriculum seems to have disappeared to a more general view.
I am, however, interested in the plan for ePortfolios for primary schools and would welcome this if it was done well.
I also like that they seem to be working with ITEs (teacher training colleges) to enhance how they teach technology. This is one of the most scandalous things about teacher training. For whatever reason, technology is a separate module in all ITEs when technology is not a separate subject in schools, rightly so.
They are looking to give 400 more primary schools decent broadband (that’s about 12% of schools), which I guess is better than previously promised.
So, 4 out of the 80 actions are of interest. Maybe 1 or 2 more that I missed among the waffle. If you want to read them all, check the link below.
https://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2018-press-releases/PR18-06-08.html
