The ‘Digital Strategy for Schools (2015-2020), Enhancing Teaching, Learning & Assessment’, which includes a €210m investment in digital technology in schools, was launched by Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, TD, at Mercy Secondary School in Inchicore, Dublin.

The Digital Strategy for Schools was launched from the 21st century learning space created by the award winning YSI team, ‘Is The School Around The Corner Just The Same?’

The students from Mercy Secondary School collaborated with Bridge 21 of Trinity College, Google, AOL and CFES, College for Every Student, to name a few to create a space fit for students’ education needs in the 21st century. The team also created a website and app that allows businesses to donate furniture registered schools to replicate such learning spaces at reduced cost. Their initiative was recognised at last year’s Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards where the group took home the YSI Vodafone Mobile for Good Award.

Speaking at the launch Minister O’Sullivan said, “Giving our students the opportunity to develop 21st century skills is a priority.  Technology is embedded in all aspects of our lives, and is bringing our society new advantages and solutions every day. This five year strategy will achieve our goal of allowing all students to develop 21st century skills.” The Education Minister, Jan O’Sullivan, also said that the strategy is the biggest ever investment in technology in schools, with more than €200m to be spent over five years.

‘Is The School Around The Corner Just The Same?’ is just one example of hundreds of innovation projects carried out by young people throughout Ireland each year with Young Social Innovators. Equipping these students with the necessary skills that they need for life and work in the 21st century is at the core of Young Social Innovators’ programmes. ‘Is The School Around The Corner Just The Same?’

Among the key points of the Digital Strategy are:

• Dedicated multi-annual funding to schools to invest in technology
• Build on the successful roll-out of high-speed broadband to every second-level school by investing in high-speed wifi networks in every school
• Integration of digital skills in the curriculum and in assessment
• Develop opportunities for students to take an in-depth ICT course at Leaving Cert, as well as embedding digital skills within other subjects
• Promotion of the use of e-portfolios at primary and post-primary level
• Provide enhanced digital content to schools, including working with cultural institutions, sporting bodies and other to expand this range of resources
• Embed ICT skills as part of initial teacher education and ongoing training for teachers
• Work with stakeholders to promote safe and responsible use of the internet and social media, including providing new resources to schools to better prevent cyber-bullying

Mercy Secondary School’s new 21st century learning space was unveiled in May 2015 for use by its teachers and students.