Digital education futures in Irish educational policy: tempering commercial influence through an exploration of emerging ethical, environmental and educational realities

ABSTRACT

This paper explores future digital technology policy for education with reference to the Irish context. Framed within the global context of commercial influence on education and related discourses, it addresses the Irish context with particular reference to identifiable ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors seen as influencing policy provision in any next phase. The paper then proceeds to outline a number of intersecting factors or issues that will likely influence digital technology policy and practice in Irish schools in the future, taking into consideration the political, corporate, social, economic and educational backdrop. Likely ethical, environmental and educational factors are proposed and discussed. Looking across these factors, the paper concludes that establishing a clear vision of the role and purpose of technology in education, coupled with a more complex understanding and appreciation of the interaction between technology and education (which is contextually bound and relational, and reflects greater teacher rather than corporate agency) are significant prerequisites to any consideration of the future of digital education in the Irish educational policy context.

KEYWORDS:

• Educational technology policy
• digital futures
• education policy technology and education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Keith Johnston

Keith Johnston is an Assistant Professor in the area of ICTs in education at the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin. His main research interests are the development and implementation of ICT policy in primary and post-primary education, and in the use of ICTs to support teaching and learning at these levels.

Oliver McGarr

Oliver McGarr is an Associate Professor and former Head of School at the School of Education, University of Limerick. His research and teaching interests are in the areas of Educational Technology, Reflective Practice and STEM Education.