Action Plan for Education Forum on The School of the Future-the Role of ICT in Education.
The Minister for Education and Skills, Mr. Richard Bruton T.D. hosted a regional Action Plan for Education forum on ‘The School of the Future’ – the role of ICT in Education in Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, Sir Harry’s Mall (Meal Sior Anraí), Limerick on 5 May 2017 between 8.30 am and 12.45 pm.
The Minister recently established an Expert group to develop a plan to implement the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020.
This plan, which has a capital budget of €210 million, will combine what has worked well in exemplars of innovation across the country with what has been recognized as best international practice.
The areas discussed during this event included (but were not limited to) the following:
– How do we harness and support clusters of best practice across the country?
– What is excellent practice in integrating technology in learning and teaching?
– Safeguarding learner wellbeing in the digital age.
– How do we ‘future-proof’ our education system, and ensure it is flexible to the arrival of new technology?
The format was as follows:
– 08:30am – 09:00am – Registration with tea/coffee
– 09:15am – 11:00am – Interactive discussion between Minister Bruton, panel and audience
– 11:00am: Meeting Closes
Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020
This plan, which has a capital budget of €210 million, will combine what has worked well in exemplars of innovation across the country with what has been recognised as best international practice.
With that in mind, the Minister hosted this consultation to listen to how the goals in this area can be achieved within the finite resources available.
Discussion Areas:
- How do we harness and support clusters of best practice across the country?
- What is excellent practice in integrating technology in learning and teaching?
- Safeguarding learner wellbeing in the digital age.
- How do we ‘future-proof’ our education system, and ensure it is flexible to the arrival of new technology?
- What are the barriers to integrating ICT in teaching/learning?
Panellists:
- Richard Bruton T.D.- Minister for Education & Skills
- Donncha Ó Treasaigh – Principal, Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh.
Mr. Ó Treasaigh has expertise as an educator in embedding ICT in Teaching, Learning and Assessment, and led the successful application by Gaelcholáiste Luimnich to be Ireland’s first Apple Distinguished School.
- Timmy O’Dwyer – Campus Leader Limerick, Executive Director Service Supply Chain, Dell,
Mr. O’Dwyer is Vice President within Dell EMC in the Support and Deployment organisation. He leads a large global team responsible for service parts and whole unit operations infrastructure supporting basic and upsell warranty services. The team consists of internal and external members including several thousand partner team members. In addition, Timmy is site leader for the Dell EMC campus.
- Professor Teresa O’Doherty – Dean of Education, Mary Immaculate College.
Professor O’Doherty has expertise in the area of Teacher Education Policy and the History of Irish Education. She is an active member of a number of national and international projects in the area of teacher education and teacher induction.
- Chair- Dr Mary Shire – Vice President Research, University of Limerick.
Dr. Shire comes with an extensive background in the Pharmaceutical industry, with extensive industry knowledge and expertise.
Attendees:
Attendees from a number of sectors were invited including Industry, Education & Training Providers, Schools, those involved in the Digital Strategy and the Chamber of Commerce.
Senator Maria Byrne, Chair of the BOM, Cllr. Joe Leddin, Cllr. Michael Begley, Cllr. Cathal Cronin and Cllr. Ciaran O’Hanlon, Mayor of the City, were also invited to attend.