Press release
Minister Foley commissions OECD literature review on digital technology in education
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Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has today (Thursday) announced she has commissioned the OECD to conduct research on the use of digital devices in education.
The research to be conducted this year, to a value of €140,000, will consist of a review of literature on the impact of digital devices such as laptops and tablets on student learning. It will also include a peer learning event to explore the use and impact of digital devices in a number of other OECD member countries. The outcome of this research will be available by the end of this year.
Minister Foley said:
“In today’s increasingly digital world, our pupils, students and teachers must be equipped to harness the opportunities presented by technology to enhance their teaching, learning and assessment. Notwithstanding this, I note some recent evidence – including by UNESCO – which indicates that an over-reliance on digital devices can limit, or even adversely impact, students’ academic development. With curriculum reform currently underway at all levels, it is imperative that we can now determine the best way forward for the place of technology in our education system.”
The Department of Education’s Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 emphasises the importance of addressing teaching methods first and technology second, to ensure that the use of technology adds value rather than merely replicates traditional practices. While an extensive consultation process was undertaken to inform the development of the current Digital Strategy, this further research now being announced will help to ensure the best possible approach is taken in future.
The research will form part of the OECD’s ‘Resourcing School Education for the Digital Age: Effective Digitalisation and Future-Ready Teachers.” This is an umbrella project with three different strands: digital education policies, future-ready teachers and efficient investments in school education respectively.
Minister Foley said:
“It gives me great pleasure to announce the commissioning of this research today to help to guide and inform future policy development. As we look to the future, I am also grateful to the many teachers and school communities who have already shared their perspectives and experiences with my Department in this area and helped to shape our progress”.