Education and the cloud

There's a major possibility for the Irish education system to take advantage of the revolution in cloud computing to deliver the much-needed digital curriculum.

Cloud computing effectively means all the infrastructure that you used to have in-house to do basic things like send email, access the web and securely store data, can now be accessed remotely. All you need is a broadband connection and a computer or smartphone.

For most of Ireland's schools, which are in the process of being kitted out with super-fast broadband, there is a parallel possibility to use the internet cloud to enable the delivery of education material and create a learning environment that will allow teachers and students to collaborate and share knowledge.

Digital infrastructure

If Ireland is serious about creating a digital infrastructure and curriculum, there is a massive possibility to build this in the cloud and enable a host of learning materials and ways of communicating via the internet.

The chief education officer of research firm Promethean, Jim Wynn explains: "Digital education is not just about computers in schools, it is about making the curriculum a digital one.

"Children in Irish schools need to be equipped with 21st century work skills just as digital innovation. Schools who intend to deploy digital research need to ensure policies are in place so every teacher and classroom makes use of the innovation."

Example of what could be possible

An example of what could be possible would be delivering high quality education assets via platforms like iTunes or Amazon to devices like the iPhone, iPad or the Kindle e-reader.