Earlier today we announced that Computer Science will be introduced as a Leaving Cert subject and it will be one of the first exams to be completed online.
Minister for Education Richard Bruton announced that Computer Science will be one of the first exams to be completed online, in a move to revamp and modernise the education system. Burton told The Irish Times that they're moving in the direction of adding exams online in a move to symbolize Ireland as one of the best in Europe:
I’d say that is the direction we are heading. We want to ensure that digital technology transforms our education system and that we utilise the power of digital technology to make education as good as it can be. The ambition is to be the best in Europe within a decade. We are looking very clearly at the extent to which digital technology can transform assessment methods as well. The Leaving Certificate is being examined more generally at the moment. Modernisation of assessment methods and making them more flexible in the way they are delivered is part of that.
All of the students' coursework will be completed online by June, 2020. Students will use computers or laptops to complete their coursework in a move that Bruton feels will help students become more "flexible" "solution-orientated thinking", "creative" and make for "adaptable" learning.
Not only is it a logical step to move examinations online but an environmentally conscious one too but concerns about schools having the right technology are starting to mount. Many schools are working with outdated computer systems and the schools selected for the first round of Computer Science have been selected because of the technology they have at their disposal.
Schools will need laptops with at least a 1GHz processor for each student with access to 100Mbit/s broadband. Bruton promises that schools will be supported during the transition to digital:
We have a significant programme of investment in digital hardware - €210 million - which we’re investing over the coming years, so we have assets set aside to support schools...We see this as something we want to see available in as many schools as possible.
