Request for Quotes for Lot 1: Policy Analyst and Lot 2: Focus Group Consultant to aid the development of the new Digital Strategy for Schools

Tender description

The Department of Education and Skills is tasked with the development of the new Digital Strategy for Schools for the coming years. The contract for Lot 1 and 2 have been awarded Key steps in the strategy development process include research on a number of areas including current practice in the use of ICT in primary and post schools, international perspectives including an assessment of the relevance and potential of emerging technologies in the Irish context, views of students and parents. The work is already underway. A research paper (Building Towards a Learning Society: A National Digital Strategy For Schools by Dr Deidre Butler and Dr Margaret Leahy St Patricks College and Dr. Gerry Shiel and Dr. Jude Cosgrove, ERC.) was published on 2nd December 2013. Analysis is currently underway of a comprehensive survey of teachers and principals on the use of ICT for teaching and learning and will be completed shortly. Next steps include identification of key themes and priorities for the next 4-5 years, consultation with key partners and other stakeholders and developing recommendations. A Policy Analyst is required to aid in the development of the new Digital Strategy for Schools. A Focus Group Consultant is required as part of the development of the new Digital Strategy for Schools. Focus groups will be run in order to hear the voice of particular groups e.g. parents and teachers and also to discuss particular key themes which emerge from our data gathering exercises