Enabling digital learning

Tabled Report 1: 2021–22

Tabled date

2021-07-20

Report year

2021-22

Education Information technology

Entities audited

Not identified in the published HTML audit scope.

Recommendations

1. QAO's text Addressed to: the Department of Education

   reviews its targets for internet speeds and actively explores new types of services to increase internet speeds in schools in order to support equitable access to digital learning

2. QAO's text Addressed to: the Department of Education

   collaborates and shares information with the Queensland Government Chief Customer and Digital Officer to ensure the regions where schools need improved infrastructure for high-speed internet are considered in any relevant whole-of-government initiatives

3. QAO's text Addressed to: the Department of Education

   collaborates with schools and continues to provide guidance materials and support for students’ access to devices. It could review its funding model to ensure all students have access to a device

4. QAO's text Addressed to: the Department of Education

   reviews its current policies for maintaining its technology infrastructure to better support digital learning outcomes in schools. New policies could include

   1. replacing hardware on a regular basis or with services that keep the technology up to date
   2. implementing processes for regular updates to software and operating systems

5. QAO's text Addressed to: the Department of Education

   supports schools to manage their technology including

   1. setting clear guidelines on how schools use the funding they receive from the department for information technology
   2. monitoring that schools develop and fund plans for maintaining their technology

6. QAO's text Addressed to: the Department of Education

   reviews its:

   1. digital strategy, including targets for upgrading its technology infrastructure and internet speeds in schools
   2. portfolio of projects, with an investment plan and project delivery dates that align with the revised strategy
   3. monitoring processes, to enable effective delivery of the revised strategy and related projects

7. QAO's text Addressed to: the Department of Education

   supports schools to have:

   1. a clear digital component in their strategic plans, which could include how they will embed digital literacy into daily learning practices and their preferred digital technologies in the contexts of their teaching and learning methods
   2. monitoring processes in place to enable effective delivery of their strategic plans, including the digital component.

Authoritative report — Queensland Audit Office

Report PDF on QAO