A year’s worth of web analytics, research, discussion and collaboration offer some interesting insights which may be of use to DE colleagues. Here, we share 8 of those lessons.

1.     There are still many gaps in DE resource provision and therefore many opportunities (and needs) to fill them

Despite the continued production of resources since the publication of the research audit of development education resources produced in Ireland from 2000-2012 in the spring of 2013, there are still many education and topical gaps in the coverage of issues and debates in DE, despite the oft-cited claim that there are too many resources.

Two of the areas identified by the audit – women’s rights and activism – have yet to be adequately addressed and senior cycle is still largely missing in DE resource developments.

2.     Sharing good practice of development education – an ongoing challenge

Some may remember the launch of the DE in Action section in conjunction with IDEA last June, which showcases development education actions and the lessons they offer from school projects to afterschool, youth and community DE action projects. The first 20 case studies we documented were the result of a combination of submissions sent in and online research.

For a variety of reasons, in documenting case studies, people found it difficult to share their experiences and, in particular, the lessons that arise from them. In the case of existing online case studies, these proved very difficult to locate as they were often buried deep in websites after many ‘make-overs’.  In some cases, whole organisational experiences have ‘disappeared’ as organisations have closed or suspended DE work.

Documenting our work is a major challenge for our sector especially in the context of ‘proving’ the agenda’s value and impact.

3.     The ‘quality of resources’ challenge

Following the publication of the audit of DE resources, the completion of more than 300 annotations for the resource library and the recent guidelines for producing DE resources it is clear that the ‘quality’ debate in producing DE resources (and how it is defined or measured) remains an issue for the sector.  How to address this challenge should become a priority agenda item for the sector in 2015 – while developmenteducation.ie is happy to play its part in this discussion, the website Management Committee feels strongly that the whole sector needs to pro-actively engage with this debate on quality in DE.

The guidelines were produced as one contribution to this debate.

4.     The need to move beyond the formal

Review of the evidence from the resources and correspondence dimensions of developmenteducation.ie suggests strongly that in recent years primacy has typically been given to formal education sectors, often at the expense of other equally important sectors.  Responding to (and financially supporting) educationally based campaigning, broader public education and non-formal education opportunities are crucial to overall success – DE is not simply an issue for young people – its impact and success is heavily dependent on adults across society.

Active transparent public engagement with development and human rights issues is fundamental for the overall quality and impact of Ireland’s development co-operation and justice agendas.  More needs to be done to promote DE in key spheres to complement that underway in schools and colleges.

5.     78:1 the geography of DE in Ireland

Visitors and readers from 78 towns and cities across Ireland accessed developmenteducation.ie in 2014. The analytics data generated on the website over the past year suggests that the geographical reach of those that access DE debates and content has broadened on previous years – a noticeable trend. Interest in and support for development education is by no means only located in the cities or urban centres, as is often asserted.

6.     Back to basics

A year of survey work and user-group feedback has generated crucial ‘temperature checks’ for content, ideas and emerging issues in DE on the website. One of the clearest signals we’ve received in 2014 is that there is still a pressing need for accessible ‘entry-level’ support materials. On developmenteducation.ie we are constantly being requested for such introductory materials.

Getting back to ‘basic is essential in supporting those undertaking DE. With that in mind watch this space – we will very shortly add a range of new introduction-level materials to the site.

7.     Educators are still willing to take on difficult issues

The top 10 most searched words on the website were:

1. climate change;                                               2. child labour;

3. malaria;                                                           4. poverty;

5. 100 people;                                                      6. water;

7. aid;                                                                    8. footprint;

9. jobs;                                                                  10. education.