Comments on: Irish government fails to invest in education http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/ Tom Raftery, social media consultant, speaker, blogger and podcaster Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:15:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Dáithí O Broin http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-101571 Dáithí O Broin Wed, 14 Mar 2007 14:22:35 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-101571 On Leaving Cert Technology Technology has been available at Junior Cert since late 80's early 90's. It has taken years to get the LC syllabus cleared and up and running. The JC course was one of the few syllabii which had the use of ICTs integral to it (I think also Business Studies). It encouraged the use of CAD and CAM as well as pointing to more straightforward uses such as research and production of reports. The problem of course is the provision of equipment. I set up a Tech room in London in 1991ish and the proceedure there was to provide everything that the syllabus needed to be implemented. In 1995ish I did the same job in Ireland and found that there was no difinitive list of what should be provided and I had to compile one myself. Then the funding was capped so I had to radically cut back on the list of necessary items and only provide for a section of the course. (This meant no metal working and limited wood working - I did manage to get 2 computers and a scanner and a printer though!!) The government get by because where the course is in a school with traditional "boy" crafts there is already wood and metal facilities. However in traditional "girls" schools all these need to be installed and that is a big cost. The way in which Technology is structured (Problem Solving - learn to find a solution) is being taken up by many other subjects and the use of ICTs is also spreading - probably by students realising they can use it for any subject. But with most (lucky) svhools having only one computer lab the timetabling of access will be a tough issue. Another issue will also be the effective traing of staff. Many teachers who work hard in schools have been trained before the IT boom and the training provided by the government has been piecemeal. Lack of funding means that many will still have to use acetates for Powerpoint presentations and the pain of trying to get your class into a computer lab on a regular basis will mean that it is easier not to build ICT use into your lesson plans. (I was lucky and could allow the use of computers for all sorts of things as well as using live TV broadcasting and Video camerra work in my lessons.) It is strange that whilst we have such a vibrant ICT structure at 3rd level with many/most colleges having multimedia presentation facilities and computer filled rooms that the secondary sector remains impoverished. Ah well back to the grindstone.... On Leaving Cert Technology
Technology has been available at Junior Cert since late 80’s early 90’s. It has taken years to get the LC syllabus cleared and up and running. The JC course was one of the few syllabii which had the use of ICTs integral to it (I think also Business Studies). It encouraged the use of CAD and CAM as well as pointing to more straightforward uses such as research and production of reports.
The problem of course is the provision of equipment. I set up a Tech room in London in 1991ish and the proceedure there was to provide everything that the syllabus needed to be implemented. In 1995ish I did the same job in Ireland and found that there was no difinitive list of what should be provided and I had to compile one myself. Then the funding was capped so I had to radically cut back on the list of necessary items and only provide for a section of the course. (This meant no metal working and limited wood working - I did manage to get 2 computers and a scanner and a printer though!!)
The government get by because where the course is in a school with traditional “boy” crafts there is already wood and metal facilities. However in traditional “girls” schools all these need to be installed and that is a big cost.
The way in which Technology is structured (Problem Solving - learn to find a solution) is being taken up by many other subjects and the use of ICTs is also spreading - probably by students realising they can use it for any subject. But with most (lucky) svhools having only one computer lab the timetabling of access will be a tough issue.
Another issue will also be the effective traing of staff. Many teachers who work hard in schools have been trained before the IT boom and the training provided by the government has been piecemeal. Lack of funding means that many will still have to use acetates for Powerpoint presentations and the pain of trying to get your class into a computer lab on a regular basis will mean that it is easier not to build ICT use into your lesson plans. (I was lucky and could allow the use of computers for all sorts of things as well as using live TV broadcasting and Video camerra work in my lessons.)
It is strange that whilst we have such a vibrant ICT structure at 3rd level with many/most colleges having multimedia presentation facilities and computer filled rooms that the secondary sector remains impoverished.
Ah well back to the grindstone….

]]> By: The $100 Laptop at Spear IT Blog http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99820 The $100 Laptop at Spear IT Blog Mon, 19 Feb 2007 10:53:34 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99820 [...] almost everything is an add-on. Maybe something like this is the solution to Tom Raftery’s observations in the absence of genuine political input in Ireland. And of course [...] [...] almost everything is an add-on. Maybe something like this is the solution to Tom Raftery’s observations in the absence of genuine political input in Ireland. And of course [...]

]]> By: John Murphy http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99702 John Murphy Fri, 16 Feb 2007 20:51:27 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99702 http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/search_show.aspx?id=FEB077305&ln=EN Missing the support/managed services element unfortunately. http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/search_show.aspx?id=FEB077305&ln=EN

Missing the support/managed services element unfortunately.

]]> By: John Murphy http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99642 John Murphy Fri, 16 Feb 2007 10:30:42 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99642 Hi Tom, <blockquote>I didn’t realise there was a Technology Leaving Cert subject option - thanks for pointing it out. Is it new?</blockquote> I am not sure to be honest. The department has also revamped other courses to include more ICT content. In my experience our teachers, principals and boards of management (who actually run the schools) re very eager to work with ICT experts to improve the overall content. I can safely say that if you offered to speak at any transition year class in the city you would be taken up on it. Now - should that be formalized.. perhaps. Can you do it today - definitely. rgds. >j Hi Tom,

I didn’t realise there was a Technology Leaving Cert subject option - thanks for pointing it out. Is it new?

I am not sure to be honest. The department has also revamped other courses to include more ICT content.

In my experience our teachers, principals and boards of management (who actually run the schools) re very eager to work with ICT experts to improve the overall content. I can safely say that if you offered to speak at any transition year class in the city you would be taken up on it. Now - should that be formalized.. perhaps. Can you do it today - definitely.

rgds.
>j

]]> By: Tom Raftery http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99638 Tom Raftery Fri, 16 Feb 2007 09:34:55 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99638 John, I didn't realise there was a Technology Leaving Cert subject option - thanks for pointing it out. Is it new? <blockquote>Also not all schools are struggling to use ICT</blockquote> Sure - in fact the school I visited the other day are doing better than many schools I suspect. However, they are the lucky few and this is despite, instead of because of, the Department of Education! John,

I didn’t realise there was a Technology Leaving Cert subject option - thanks for pointing it out. Is it new?

Also not all schools are struggling to use ICT

Sure - in fact the school I visited the other day are doing better than many schools I suspect. However, they are the lucky few and this is despite, instead of because of, the Department of Education!

]]> By: John Murphy http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99635 John Murphy Fri, 16 Feb 2007 09:13:50 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99635 Hi Tom, <blockquote> I think your brother should be thankful that they plan at all. There are no plans here at all, no curriculum and no funding since 2001/2 </blockquote> I don't think thats necessarily true. There is a leaving cert technology syllabus in place: http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/lc_tech_sy.pdf?language=EN Also not all schools are struggling to use ICT: http://www.sip.ie/terminalfour/SIPManager?themeID=3 rgds. >j Hi Tom,

I think your brother should be thankful that they plan at all. There are no plans here at all, no curriculum and no funding since 2001/2

I don’t think thats necessarily true. There is a leaving cert technology syllabus in place:
http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/lc_tech_sy.pdf?language=EN

Also not all schools are struggling to use ICT:
http://www.sip.ie/terminalfour/SIPManager?themeID=3

rgds.
>j

]]> By: Educational standards « AccMan http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99633 Educational standards « AccMan Fri, 16 Feb 2007 08:17:13 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99633 [...] you’ve nearly got a cricket team of grandkids and one son still at school. So when I read Tom Raftery’s rant about the parlous state of ICT in Eire, I winced: It was soul destroying to see such an [...] [...] you’ve nearly got a cricket team of grandkids and one son still at school. So when I read Tom Raftery’s rant about the parlous state of ICT in Eire, I winced: It was soul destroying to see such an [...]

]]> By: Tom Raftery http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99632 Tom Raftery Fri, 16 Feb 2007 08:02:12 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99632 Dennis, I think your brother should be thankful that they plan at all. There are no plans here at all, no curriculum and no funding since 2001/2 Dennis,

I think your brother should be thankful that they plan at all. There are no plans here at all, no curriculum and no funding since 2001/2

]]> By: Dennis Howlett http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99631 Dennis Howlett Fri, 16 Feb 2007 07:27:27 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99631 Tom: This is an issue mt brother identifies with. He heads up ICT at an English high school. Among other things, the issue appears to be the way UK government plans...3>5 years out. Problem is as we all know the pace of change is much faster than government can keep up with. Kids end up self taught. Tom: This is an issue mt brother identifies with. He heads up ICT at an English high school. Among other things, the issue appears to be the way UK government plans…3>5 years out. Problem is as we all know the pace of change is much faster than government can keep up with. Kids end up self taught.

]]> By: Paul Walsh http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99618 Paul Walsh Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:57:27 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99618 <blockquote>Educamp Ireland +1</blockquote>

Educamp Ireland

+1

]]> By: Ina http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99615 Ina Thu, 15 Feb 2007 19:50:37 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99615 www.inao.blogspot.com http://www.inao.blogspot.com

]]> By: Ina http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99614 Ina Thu, 15 Feb 2007 19:49:40 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99614 Hi Tom, I go out to schools too as part of the DERI Outreach program here in Galway and agree its totally depressing. So much for our new Knowledge Economy.The Educational system needs to enter the 21st century to keep up with the pace of change and Education starts in the schools.The approach and attitude towards Technology in schools needs to change drastically. Ina Hi Tom,

I go out to schools too as part of the DERI Outreach program here in Galway and agree its totally depressing.
So much for our new Knowledge Economy.The Educational system needs to enter the 21st century to keep up with the pace of change and Education starts in the schools.The approach and attitude towards Technology in schools needs to change drastically.

Ina

]]> By: JW http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99609 JW Thu, 15 Feb 2007 18:42:44 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99609 <blockquote>Many schools are operating on machines with Windows 98 or worse.</blockquote> You think that's bad. My Secondary school has around 25 computers in our computer room. 20 of those have Windows 95. The rest have Windows 2000 and one has xp. The teachers are not trained well enough to teach classes. As you probably know Bebo and such social networking sites have been blocked in most school computers, but in ours the teacher doesn't know how. The system is in a state.

Many schools are operating on machines with Windows 98 or worse.

You think that’s bad. My Secondary school has around 25 computers in our computer room. 20 of those have Windows 95. The rest have Windows 2000 and one has xp. The teachers are not trained well enough to teach classes.

As you probably know Bebo and such social networking sites have been blocked in most school computers, but in ours the teacher doesn’t know how.

The system is in a state.

]]> By: Brian O'Regan http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99604 Brian O'Regan Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:23:18 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99604 Bernie, I forgot to mention count me in also. Bernie,

I forgot to mention count me in also.

]]> By: Evert Bopp http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99600 Evert Bopp Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:49:33 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99600 Brian, No, it wasn't. It was/is in Tipperary. E. Brian,

No, it wasn’t.
It was/is in Tipperary.

E.

]]> By: Brian O'Regan http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99599 Brian O'Regan Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:37:02 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99599 Evert Bopp, Was this a school in Dublin? Evert Bopp,

Was this a school in Dublin?

]]> By: GerryOS http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99597 GerryOS Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:07:29 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99597 Another thing - I remember seeing last year <a href="http://www.apple.com/uk/education/profiles/fis/index.html">a news report</a> that all primary schools were to get a load of Apple gear to promote teaching through film. It was supposed to have been rolled out by the end of 2006. Anyone know if it went ahead, or if it fell victim to the policy cycle I just described above? Another thing - I remember seeing last year a news report that all primary schools were to get a load of Apple gear to promote teaching through film. It was supposed to have been rolled out by the end of 2006. Anyone know if it went ahead, or if it fell victim to the policy cycle I just described above?

]]> By: Evert Bopp http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99596 Evert Bopp Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:06:45 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99596 This problem has been an issue for years and absolutely nothing has been done about it. The current & previous government has reacted to it in the same way it deals with other problems i.e. throw money at it. Unfortunatley without any structuring or planning. One of my previous companies provided tech support services to a lot of primary & secondary schools. The main problem then was the lack of training cmbined with the lack of a proper IT strategy. We went into schools with 100+ networked PC's running of a single ISDN line. No network policies, no user profiles, no virus, spam or spyware protection, nada. All this because there was a shedload of hardware but no money for training. One staff member was normally assigned as sys-admin on top of their full-time job. Fast forward 6 years and the governemtn "gives" every school broadband. However it fails to educate them on how to use this broadband, what to do in case of any problems and how to safeguard their IT infra-structure. The primary school that my kids go to had a working satellite backhaul installed for two months sitting idle until I enquired when they were ever going to use it. Turns out that this was cabled to a switch but that no-on had ever consulted them on how to network all their desktops or on what the actual benefits of broadband could be. My offer to install a network were innitially refused because they were afraid that the Department (of Education) would not allow this. Eventually I convinced them and they now have a working network. Problem is still that it is being underused due to lack of awareness. The staff also have very little knowledge on what to do in case of a problem. A simple hard-reboot in case of a frozen system was something they had never heard of. They would actually benefit from an ECD course. However there is no funding for this. Their support structure now consists of myself and any other parent that is willing to help... What is needed is a network of IT-coordinators who will educate staff and provide the needed support. I don't remember seeing anything about this in the much hyped NDP. E. P.S. Bernie, count me in... This problem has been an issue for years and absolutely nothing has been done about it. The current & previous government has reacted to it in the same way it deals with other problems i.e. throw money at it. Unfortunatley without any structuring or planning.
One of my previous companies provided tech support services to a lot of primary & secondary schools. The main problem then was the lack of training cmbined with the lack of a proper IT strategy. We went into schools with 100+ networked PC’s running of a single ISDN line. No network policies, no user profiles, no virus, spam or spyware protection, nada.
All this because there was a shedload of hardware but no money for training. One staff member was normally assigned as sys-admin on top of their full-time job.
Fast forward 6 years and the governemtn “gives” every school broadband. However it fails to educate them on how to use this broadband, what to do in case of any problems and how to safeguard their IT infra-structure.
The primary school that my kids go to had a working satellite backhaul installed for two months sitting idle until I enquired when they were ever going to use it.
Turns out that this was cabled to a switch but that no-on had ever consulted them on how to network all their desktops or on what the actual benefits of broadband could be.
My offer to install a network were innitially refused because they were afraid that the Department (of Education) would not allow this.
Eventually I convinced them and they now have a working network.
Problem is still that it is being underused due to lack of awareness.
The staff also have very little knowledge on what to do in case of a problem. A simple hard-reboot in case of a frozen system was something they had never heard of. They would actually benefit from an ECD course. However there is no funding for this.
Their support structure now consists of myself and any other parent that is willing to help…
What is needed is a network of IT-coordinators who will educate staff and provide the needed support.
I don’t remember seeing anything about this in the much hyped NDP.

E.

P.S. Bernie, count me in…

]]> By: GerryOS http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99595 GerryOS Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:02:51 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99595 The Irish government policy implementation cycle in a nutshell: Media furore about some issue or other Government concedes that "something must be done" Minister hires consultants to formulate policy Consultants report back with a plan (and a tasty invoice) Minister hires PR firm to launch plan PR firm presents a slick presentation of the plan to the media (and a tasty invoice to the department) Department of Finance refuses to fund the plan as it stands and demands changes Civil servants within the department can hardly contain their glee, and start to subvert the plan, because it means that they actually might have to do some work Phased roll-out starts Celebrity Big Brother starts on the telly, so media lose interest in plan Civil servants ignore the plan Plan falls into abeyance, having been half-heartedly rolled out Cabinet is reshuffled Media return to the issue New minister decides to revisit the issue, hires consultants to formulate policy etc., etc. The Irish government policy implementation cycle in a nutshell:

Media furore about some issue or other
Government concedes that “something must be done”
Minister hires consultants to formulate policy
Consultants report back with a plan (and a tasty invoice)
Minister hires PR firm to launch plan
PR firm presents a slick presentation of the plan to the media (and a tasty invoice to the department)
Department of Finance refuses to fund the plan as it stands and demands changes
Civil servants within the department can hardly contain their glee, and start to subvert the plan, because it means that they actually might have to do some work
Phased roll-out starts
Celebrity Big Brother starts on the telly, so media lose interest in plan
Civil servants ignore the plan
Plan falls into abeyance, having been half-heartedly rolled out
Cabinet is reshuffled
Media return to the issue
New minister decides to revisit the issue, hires consultants to formulate policy
etc., etc.

]]> By: Brian O'Regan http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99594 Brian O'Regan Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:20:14 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/irish-government-fails-to-invest-in-education/#comment-99594 I remember school's all over Ireland entering a slogan comp for an Aplle Mac. It took months of collecting tokens from milk cartons then finally sending the tokens away with a slogan to try win your school the Mac. Our school one the Apple, I got to see it once, it was the only machine in our school, it looks like things haven't changed a whole lot :) I remember school’s all over Ireland entering a slogan comp for an Aplle Mac.
It took months of collecting tokens from milk cartons then finally sending the tokens away with a slogan to try win your school the Mac.

Our school one the Apple, I got to see it once, it was the only machine in our school, it looks like things haven’t changed a whole lot :)

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