AS 2018 OPENS, I'm keen to see if the innovative use of digital technologies I've used with Ireland's Youth Media Team can be channeled to support part of the proposed Digital Learning Framework.
A newly released "Digital Strategy for Schools" outlines a vision in Ireland "for the embedding of digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment in primary and post primary schools".
Quoting from the Department of Education, the DLF Strategy outlines a programme of work across a number of themes:
- Teaching, Learning and Assessment using Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
- Teachers’ Professional learning
- Leadership, research and policy
- ICT Infrastructure
Beyond the resources placed on the table to implement this framework, I believe strong supports could be leveraged from third level and industroy advocates. Everyone wins when effective digital technologies are embedded in teaching, learning and assessment.
While reviewing the DLF scheme, I see one of the main objectives is to "encourage collaboration and innovation between teachers and schools" through the use of digital technologies. We have short courses on offer from the Limerick Institute of Technology that teach the use of digital technologies for learning and assessment. And in my personal role, I put major emphasis on leveraging smart phones for better interaction.
Broadly speaking, the scheme will be a national programme of local projects involving the innovative use of digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment.
I would like to help local secondary school teachers in local schools who want to collaborate in the design, delivery, evaluation and dissemination of the outcomes of innovative projects. Right now, applications are open for schools wishing to join like-minded clusters. All clustered work moves forward for external review and that means a school has to commit for the duration of the framework project. I expect to track the evolution of this digital learning framework and that means we will add some fo the voices from the Youth Media Team to report on the progress of some of the clusters.
Previously on InsideView.ie:
"Stepping inside Microsoft Cognitive Services," March 1, 2017"
"Perspectives in the 360 Classroom", October 6, 2016.
[ Photo of Minister for Education Richard Bruton with the Youth Media Team. Bernie Goldbach works with @ymtfm, Ireland's Youth Media Team.]