The chief strategy officer of the Digital Hub Development Agency has hit out at deficiencies in the education sector that are limiting students’ ability to develop digital skills.
Dr Stephen Brennan made his comments at an event today showcasing the work of participants in an after-school programme developed by the DHDA in partnership with the National College of Art and Design (NCAD).
Future Creators targets secondary school students from the Liberties in inner-city Dublin, helping them develop skills in coding, app development, photography and film making. The initiative has been running for the past two years, with participants voluntarily attending two after-school sessions each week. Seventeen participants were awarded certificates today for their work over the past year. Completed projects included short films on issues such as addiction and puzzle- and quiz- based smartphone applications.
"It has been well documented that the existing curricula for the Junior and Leaving Cert allow little scope or motivation for teachers to veer off course and to introduce new and exciting teaching methods or tools," said Dr Brennan. "The structure of the state exams in their current form is one major obstacle we face in fostering a more creative, enterprising and innovative mindset in our young people.
"Another obstacle is the lack of resources in many schools. Most teenagers now operate in a highly digitised world, where they communicate with their peers through mobile, social, online platforms. However, this reality is not reflected in their school environment. In a lot of cases, schools have inadequate infrastructure, out-of-date equipment, and an overly cautious attitude towards integrating digital into the classroom. This immediately alienates students, and leads them to view the education system as uninspiring, un-interactive and behind the times. The norm is to require young people to turn off their devices as they enter the school; in reality, 21st Century Ireland needs our young people to use every opportunity to learn how to make the most of their digital world.
"Another major challenge is developing the skills of teachers and instilling the confidence in them to use digital tools and to develop creative teaching methods. Teachers must be supported to adapt to the new digital reality and to avail of upskilling opportunities to enable them to effectively use 21st Century learning methods. Only by doing so, will they truly be able to connect with their students.
"Finally, schools themselves – and the wider education system – must become more flexible in their approach. We need to allow space for experimentation, creativity and innovation within the designated syllabus for each subject. We talk constantly in Ireland about how indigenous entrepreneurs, creatives and artists can contribute to our economic recovery – but, unless we foster these skills in our young people, that’s nothing but a pipedream."
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