The impact of digital technologies on students’ learning in Ireland

Annex B. Digital education initiatives mentioned in this paper

This annex includes tables presenting all digital education initiatives referred to in this paper. The tables do not represent an exhaustive list of countries’ digital education initiatives. Initiatives appear with the same name as referred to in the paper. They are organised by countries and accompanied by brief descriptions.

Table B.1. Digital education initiatives in Estonia

Name of initiative	Brief description
AI Leap 2025	The AI Leap 2025 initiative, launched by the Estonian government, aims to integrate artificial intelligence tools into schools nationwide by 2025, enhancing digital education through strategic partnerships with leading AI developers and targeted teacher training.
DigiEfekt Study	​The DigiEfekt project, conducted by the University of Tartu from 2020 to 2023, examined the impact of digital learning materials on Estonian basic school students' cognitive and non-cognitive skills, providing data-driven recommendations for educators, developers, and policymakers.
Digital Competency Framework	The Digital Competence Framework outlines Estonia’s approach to integrating digital skills into education, providing structured guidelines for both students and teachers to develop, assess, and apply digital competencies across all levels of learning.
Education 2035	The Education Strategy 2021–2035 outlines Estonia’s long-term vision for education, focusing on equal opportunities, lifelong learning, and the development of digital and green competencies to prepare learners for future societal and labour market needs.
eKool	eKool is a digital school management platform in Estonia that connects students, parents, teachers, and school administrators, streamlining access to academic information, communication, and administrative processes in general education.
Lifelong Learning Strategy 2020	​The Estonian Lifelong Learning Strategy 2020 set out the country’s educational priorities for 2014–2020, focusing on modernising learning approaches, strengthening teacher competencies, aligning education with labour market needs, promoting digital education and sustainability, and ensuring equitable access to lifelong learning.
Estonia’s national curriculum	​Estonia's National Curricula for basic and upper secondary schools, developed by the Ministry of Education and Research, establish the educational standards and learning objectives across various subjects, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive framework for general education nationwide.
ProgeTiger programme	ProgeTiger is a national initiative in Estonia that supports the development of digital, programming, and robotics skills from preschool to secondary education, by providing resources, training, and curriculum integration to foster technological creativity and competence among students.
Teacher Education Academy	The Teachers Education Academy provides international professional development for educators through hands-on training, study visits, and seminars, with a focus on digital innovation, inclusive education, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Tiger Leap programme	The Tiger Leap program, launched in 1996, modernised Estonia’s education system by introducing ICT infrastructure and teacher training, laying the groundwork for the country’s digital transformation.

Table B.2. Digital education initiatives in France

Name of initiative	Brief description
Cadre de Référence des Compétences Numériques pour l’Éducation (CRCN-Édu)	​The Cadre de Référence des Compétences Numériques pour l’Éducation (CRCN-Édu) is a framework that defines 16 professional digital competencies across five domains—professional environment, digital resources, teaching and learning, learner diversity and autonomy, and student digital skills—designed to guide educators in effectively integrating digital tools into their teaching practices.
Digital Schools Plan (Plan numérique pour l'éducation)	The 2015 Digital Plan for Education aimed for the nationwide deployment of educational resources and mobile digital equipment in public primary schools and both public and private under contract middle schools based on calls for projects.
Digital Strategy for Education 2023–2027	The 2023–2027 Digital Strategy for Education aims to strengthen digital education by fostering collaboration between national and local stakeholders, enhancing students’ digital skills, supporting teachers with training and resources, and improving digital infrastructure to ensure secure, accessible, and environmentally responsible technology use in schools.
Direction Du Numérique Pour L'éducation	​The Direction du Numérique pour l'Éducation (DNE) is a department within France's Ministry of National Education, responsible for driving and supporting the digital transformation of the educational system by overseeing both the technical infrastructure and the development of digital educational policies and tools.
École Numérique Rurale (ENR)	​The "École numérique rurale" (Digital Rural School) plan aims to reduce the digital divide by equipping rural primary schools with digital tools, enhancing educational practices, and fostering innovation in teaching methods.
EduPilote	​EduPilote is a digital dashboard developed which will monitor and coordinate the implementation of digital education initiatives across public middle and high schools, focusing on usage, equipment, and teacher training.
Élaine	​Élaine (Évaluation Longitudinale des Activités liées au Numérique Éducatif) is a scientific study assessing the impact of the 2015 Digital Plan for Education. In particular the study analyses the impact of the Plan's provision of digital equipment to students on educational outcomes, teaching practices, and school management.
Numérique Inclusif	The École Inclusive initiative ensures that all students, including those with special educational needs, receive appropriate support to learn and succeed together in mainstream classrooms.
Pix	Pix is a national digital platform that enables individuals—including students and the general public—to assess, develop, and certify their digital competencies through adaptive learning and standardised benchmarks.
Pix+ Édu	Pix+ Édu is a dedicated branch of the Pix platform that supports education professionals in evaluating and strengthening their digital teaching competencies, in alignment with France’s professional digital skills framework.
Territoires Numériques Éducatifs	​The Territoires Numériques Éducatifs (TNE) initiative is a national programme in France that aims to enhance educational equity and digital inclusion by providing schools in selected departments with digital equipment, innovative educational resources, teacher training, and support for families to ensure effective pedagogical continuity.
Territories of Educational Priority (REP)	L’Éducation Prioritaire is a national policy in France aimed at reducing educational inequalities by providing additional resources, support, and targeted interventions to schools in socially and economically disadvantaged areas.

Table B.3. Digital education initiatives in Ireland

Name of initiative	Brief description
Céim	The Céim Standards for Initial Teacher Education set out the professional requirements and programme standards for the design, delivery, and accreditation of initial teacher education in Ireland.
Digital Learning Framework (DLF)	Ireland’s Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 provides a national framework to integrate digital technologies in education, focusing on infrastructure, teacher development, and equitable access.
Digital Strategy for Schools	Ireland’s Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 provides a national framework to integrate digital technologies in education, focusing on infrastructure, teacher development, and equitable access.
ICT Grant Scheme	The Grant Scheme for ICT Infrastructure provides funding to schools to enhance their digital capacity by supporting the purchase of ICT equipment and related infrastructure for teaching and learning.
Implementation Plan for the Digital Strategy for Schools	The Implementation Plan for the Digital Strategy for Schools outlines the actions, timelines, and responsibilities required to achieve the strategic objectives for integrating digital technologies in education.
Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024-2033	The Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024–2033 sets out a national framework to strengthen core skills from early childhood to young adulthood through inclusive, lifelong learning supports.
Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024–2033: Implementation Plan to 2028	Ireland’s Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024–2033: Implementation Plan to 2028 outlines targeted actions to improve core and digital literacy skills for all learners from birth to young adulthood through coordinated support for educators, families, and school system.
Junior Cycle English curriculum	The Junior Cycle English curriculum in Ireland focuses on developing students’ literacy, critical thinking, and communication skills through a learner-centred, outcomes-based approach that integrates reading, writing, and oral language across a three-year programme.
Key Competencies in Senior Cycle framework	The Key Competencies in Senior Cycle framework defines seven core competencies integrated across subjects to support students’ holistic development and preparedness for life beyond school.
Leaving Certificate Computer Science	Leaving Certificate Computer Science fosters creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, while equipping students with core computing skills and an understanding of technology’s role in society and the environment.
Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS)	DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools – is a policy framework that provides targeted supports to address educational disadvantage and promote equity in learning outcomes for students in under-resourced communities.
Oide’s Technology in Education (TiE)	Oide Technology in Education supports the effective use of digital technologies in teaching, learning, and school leadership by providing professional development, resources, and infrastructure guidance to educators and schools.
Primary Curriculum Framework	The Primary Curriculum Framework (2023) outlines a modernised vision for Irish primary and special education, promoting inclusive, child-centred learning through broad curriculum areas and key competencies to ensure continuity and progression.
Schedule of Senior Cycle Subjects for Redevelopment	The Schedule of Senior Cycle Subjects for Redevelopment outlines Ireland’s phased approach to modernising senior cycle curricula to ensure relevance, coherence, and alignment with students’ evolving learning needs.
Schools Broadband Programme	The Schools Broadband Programme delivers centrally managed, secure, and filtered broadband connectivity to schools, supporting the integration of digital technologies in teaching, learning, and school administration.
Scoilnet,	Scoilnet is the official education portal providing curated digital resources, curriculum content, and collaborative tools to support teaching and learning across all levels of the education system.
STEM Education Policy Statement 2017–2026	The STEM Education Policy Statement 2017–2026 outlines a national vision to enhance engagement and achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through high-quality teaching, learning, and system-wide collaboration.
Webwise programme	Webwise is a national Internet safety initiative that offers comprehensive resources and educational support to help students, educators, and parents promote safe, ethical, and informed use of digital technologies.

Table B.4. Digital education initiatives in Sweden

Name of initiative	Brief description
2018 revision of school curricula	The 2018 revision of Sweden’s Curriculum for the Compulsory School, Preschool Class and School-Age Educare (Lgr22) formally reinforced media and information literacy by mandating students’ ability to critically assess sources, engage responsibly with digital content, and understand the role of media in a democratic society.
National Digitalisation Strategy for the School System	Sweden's National Digitalisation Strategy for the School System (2017) aims to enhance digital competence among students and educators, ensure equitable access to digital tools and infrastructure, and promote research on digitalisation's impact on education.
SALAR (Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions)	The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) represents and supports municipalities and regions in Sweden, providing expertise, advocacy, and coordination across sectors including education, health, and digitalisation.
Skoldigistöd (OECD, 2023[37])	Skoldigistöd is a national initiative led by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR) that provides strategic support, resources, and best practices to municipalities and schools for the effective and equitable integration of digital tools in education.