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Teachers to be taught how best to teach computing [Western Mail (Wales)](Western Mail (Wales) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) A PROJECT that fosters a love of computing in the classroom has been awarded a funding boost from the Welsh Government. Technocamps, which is based at Swansea University, has been given the green light from the National Science Academy to deliver a series of intense training programmes for teachers and educators in computing and computer science. The professional development training, which will run over a six- week period for five different groups of teachers, is due to start on November 6 with 20 primary school teachers set to gain new skills in computer science that can be applied in the classroom. The training comes after a recent report on information and communications technology (ICT) in Wales recommended the subject be integrated into the curriculum as "the fourth science". It added: "A programme of training and professional development to enable the new computing curriculum should be accessible to new and existing teachers." Technocamps director Professor Faron Moller said: "This is a great opportunity for teachers to have an intense training experience as part of the drive to introduce computer science in education. "The Welsh Government ICT steering group report recommends integrating computing into the curriculum as the fourth science, so with this in mind this programme will give the teachers a head start in equipping themselves with the necessary skills needed to deliver computing in school." The first three weeks of training will be held at Swansea University and the final three weeks at the newly-launched University of Wales Trinity St David Swansea campus. Training for the first cohort of teachers from primary schools will focus on scratch, logo and hopscotch and, by the end of the course, it is hoped they will feel confident enough to use their newly-honed skills in the classroom. The course is free of charge and Technocamps will reimburse supply cover up to Pounds 80 for the first session, which takes place from 1-8pm on November 6. Later sessions will run from 5-8pm on November 13, 20, 27 and December 4 and 11. Schools can register via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/ 8875670369 (c) 2013 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |