The Irish Computer Society (ICS) has revealed that 70 schools nationwide are how using the ICT Curriculum it developed. The milestone was achieved following a pilot in 30 schools last year.
“The adoption of the ICS ICT Programme demonstrates the desire of teachers and parents to give their students a 21st century education,” ICS president John Ward told the organisation’s annual general meeting.
Each of the other ICS projects in schools, ChooseIT, Scratch and F1 in Schools, also recorded significant increases in participation. “There is a growing appetite among students to experience the creative side of computing,” said Ward.
“We are doing everything we can to meet that demand, but I would like to see greater support from the Government for our programmes. I would also encourage the Department of Education and Skills to work with us to develop a computer science programme for senior cycle.”
Rise in ICS membership
The meeting also heard of dramatic increases in membership for the ICS and its supported professional bodies, the Healthcare Informatics Society of Ireland, Iasa Ireland, the Business Analyst Association of Ireland and the Association of Data Protection Officers.
ICS CEO Jim Friars announced at the meeting that the Irish Computer Society had won a bid to host the next World Conference on Computers in Education.
The conference will be held Dublin in 2017 to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the Society’s founding.