Teachers to get ICT training

Chris68

Just heard this on the news. Anyone know anything about it? First, the unqualified maths teachers get a free upskill course, now the unqualified ICT teachers. Sick of this. How will us qualified teachers ever get a job.

TheDriver

and when you get a job and your TT must be filled with cspe or sphe or RE, will you be happy when people complain about you being unqualified???
Qualified teachers get a job if they have in demand subjects/location/flexibility. Also remember good teaching isn't just about your subject matter, its about classroom management and dealing effectively with teenagers in general.

whiteandlight

Any further info on this?

Enright

any idea where people can apply to get the raspberry PI?

doc_17

I'd imagine if it is done properly the ICT coordinators in every second level school will be offered the opportunity to apply. But then again, maybe that's too much to expect!

whiteandlight

I really really want to do this!! I wrote an essay at the end of the ICT survey I had to fill in for my vp recently lamenting the fact that almost all courses in ICT are aimed at beginners and there's nothing for those of use who know how to work a computer. I've worked through java on code academy, halfway through python and doing a python CPD in NUIM at the mo but realistically I can't afford to go back to college to get qualified in a subject that is often a 'filler' on a timetable no matter how interested I am in it

TheDriver

only thing is the pi is dirt cheap anyways unless we are getting class sets of them? and then to find monitors etc for them, ICT Coordinator won't be happy when we start moving his monitors....

teacherhead

TheDriver wrote: »

only thing is the pi is dirt cheap anyways unless we are getting class sets of them? and then to find monitors etc for them, ICT Coordinator won't be happy when we start moving his monitors....

Please don't interfere with the monitors.

Anyone got a link on this? Didn't see the news tonight

trihead

http://www.tcd.ie/Communications/news/pressreleases/pressRelease.php?headerID=3116&pressReleaseArchive=2013

http://www.bridge21.ie/2013/05/31/trinity-college-launches-computer-science-initiative-for-the-21st-century-classroom/

newfrontier

Great idea but I get the feeling Mr Quinn was left outside the loop so could not claim the credit . Finding it difficult to get more details apart from the above links...I would be interested to hear other teachers thoughts on the initiative. How much training time do you think would be needed for you as a teacher? Would you attend a free training session on the Rasberry Pi?
Would you help in developing training content for other teachers?
How could the technology best be used to match the curriculum?
Is there a need to bring in programming into secondary school?
Should there be a stand alone subject offered and at what stage?
What is the most suitable age group to teach programming to?
I am very interesting hearing all thoughts on this as I believe it is something positive but needs some discussion from teachers.

Nadser

newfrontier wrote: »

Is there a need to bring in programming into secondary school?
Should there be a stand alone subject offered and at what stage?
What is the most suitable age group to teach programming to?
I am very interesting hearing all thoughts on this as I believe it is something positive but needs some discussion from teachers.

More to the point, when was programming taken out of secondary school and why? When I was in school in the 80s, we all learned about computer architecture and how to program in computer class. I now teach various computer subjects at PLC level. It's shocking how little students know about basic computer concepts, especially as they are so ubiquitous now.

Learning how to programming is not just useful for those who want to persue careers in computers, it also teaches logic, organisation and problem solving skills, essential skills for the youth of today.

Regarding whether or not it should be a standalone subject, I got a supplementary certificate in Computer Studies as part of my leaving certificate. It was assessed by completion of a project and writing two (as far as I can remember) programs. I think we had computer classes once a week and had to share as there weren't enough computers for everyone. Programs were submitted by writing out the code, you didn't necessarily get the opportunity to test them on the computer. It worked for me! Incidentally, I didn't go to an exclusive school, this was in a VEC.

As to what age you should start programming, I think anyone over the age of 8 would be well able for it, if they had the interest. Certainly it would be no problem for a secondary pupil. There's loads of programs specifically designed to get young people interested. Lego Mind storms comes to mind.

The first language we learned was Logo, specifically designed for use in education, using a constructivist approach to learning. So, I say, bring on the pi and make learning computers fun again!