An investigation into the factors that affect the pedagogical progression of information and communication technology in post primary schools in Ireland

An investigation into the factors that affect the pedagogical progression of information and communication technology in post primary schools in Ireland Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has the potential to transform the methods in which teachers teach and students learn. ICT, such as computers and the internet, can enhance the quality of teaching and learning and expand educational opportunities. The objective of this paper is to investigate the factors that lead to the pedagogical progression of information and communication technology (ICT) in post primary schools in Ireland. This thesis examines the use of ICT in Irish schools under the following headings: technical support; leadership; ICT in the classroom, pedagogical integration of technology, hardware and broadband; software and digital content; funding; teacher professional development and innovative use of ICT in the classroom. Quantitave and qualitative data was collected from six Irish post primary schools in the form of questionnaires, interviews and observations. This study found that the use of technology in schools has significantly increased in the past decade, due to improved ICT infrastructures, guidance from government policies promoting the integration of ICT in teaching and learning and investment for technology in education. However, this study found that the pedagogical use of ICT could be accelerated in Irish post primary schools if there was more access to progressive instruction for teachers in technology, a significant increase in funding for ICT and a greater range and availability of software for the Irish education system. Finally, this thesis examines how ICT can be used in innovative ways in the education process and how technology can be developed and used to its optimum potential in Irish post primary schools.