The aim of the Digital Education Revolution (DER) is to contribute sustainable and meaningful change to teaching and learning in Australian schools that will prepare students for further education, training and to live and work in a digital world. Through the DER, the Government is providing $2.4 billion over seven years to:
- provide for new information and communication technology (ICT) equipment for all secondary schools with students in years 9 to 12 through the National Secondary School Computer Fund
- support the deployment of high speed broadband connections to Australian schools
- support systemic change to increase the level of ICT proficiency for teachers and school leaders across Australia to embed the use of ICT in teaching and learning and support the development of innovative projects and research that enable professional learning in the use of ICT
- provide for online curriculum tools and resources that support the national curriculum and specialist subjects such as languages
- enable parents to participate in their child’s education through online learning and access
- support mechanisms to provide vital assistance for schools in the deployment of ICT.
In the May 2010 Budget $200 million was provisionally allocated for 2013-14.
The DER is now governed by the Digital Education Revolution National Partnership with the State and Territories and by Digital Education Revolution Funding Agreements with the Catholic and Independent education authorities. The implementation of the DER will be guided by the DER Strategic Plan and Roadmapand supported by the Digital Education Revolution Projects, Infrastructure and Support Program Guidelines.
These documents will assist educational institutions, their communities and the ICT industry to understand specific elements and jurisdictional initiatives within the broader DER context.
The Australian Government is committed to working with state and territory governments, Catholic and Independent school sectors to make sustainable and meaningful change in the way teaching and learning are delivered in Australian schools.