merrion street

Workshops will enhance education through more and better use of digital resources

Thursday 8 May 2014

Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte T.D. today launched a series of national “Switch On” workshops at Monaghan Education Centre in Monaghan Town. “Switch On” is a Government initiative under the National Digital Strategy and is being undertaken in partnership between the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Education and Skills. 

The workshops will focus on how schools can take advantage of digital tools and online education resources to improve the teaching & learning experience.  Schools will be provided with useful information and case studies as well as signposting to further resources to help them to harness the potential of digital in the school setting.

Speaking at the event in Monaghan, Minister Rabbitte said: 

“The Action Plan for Jobs and the National Digital Strategy underline the importance of ensuring young people are equipped with the skills required for the modern economy. My Department and the Department of Education and Skills are funding an ambitious programme that will see 100Mbps broadband connectivity delivered to every second level school in Ireland by the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, at a cost of over €30m. This is a key investment in future employment and employability as it feeds into the development of a more ICT literate workforce.  

Digital technologies and the internet enable us all to access a richer source of media and learning.  When schools take advantage of this, the educational experience for students and teachers alike is improved.”

Commenting on the rollout of the workshops, Minister Rabbitte added:

“The Switch-On workshops are designed to build on our investment in fast, reliable connectivity by helping teachers to make optimum use of technology in the classroom. Even more crucially we need to ensure that our teachers can seize the opportunities and are empowered to build the digital future in our schools. The forward looking schools and teachers here today are looking to grasp those opportunities.   Digital, used smartly, can be a real asset both in teaching as well as in efficient school administration.   Of course there will be wider benefits too – because schools are at the heart of our communities – and their digital achievements permeate out and enrich the communities around them.”

Over 30 schools from 6 counties, representing an enrolment of over 14,000 students are participating in the initial “Switch-On” workshops - the first of which are being held this month in the education centres in Donegal, Mayo and Monaghan. 

ENDS

Information for Editors

More information on the National Digital Strategy is available at:  http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Communications/NDS/NDSHome

Pictures available on request.