Using ICT

The creative use of ICT can improve children’s thinking skills and encourage them to become independent, self-motivated and flexible learners.

Teachers can develop children’s Using ICT skills by giving them opportunities to:

• engage in meaningful research and purposeful activities set in relevant contexts;
• process, present and exchange their ideas and translate their thinking into creative outcomes that show an awareness of audience and purpose; and
• use ICT to:
  • handle and communicate information, solve problems, pose questions and take risks;
  • collaborate within and beyond the classroom;
  • share and exchange their work; and
  • exhibit and showcase their learning.

See Developmental Stages in Learning and Assessment and Reporting at Foundation Stage for more details.

Schools should embed e-safety education into teaching and learning in the Areas of Learning through relevant topics. This will give children opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of e-safety.

For more information on internet safety education for children, see the Department of Education’s article on Education in Safe and Effective Practices.

The Department of Education’s 2016/27 circular on e-safety provides guidance about keeping children safe online and prioritising online safety within a school’s curriculum and safeguarding policy.