Technoteach, which is funded by Welsh Government through the National Science Academy and run by the Technocamps programme at Swansea University, is giving teachers in primary and secondary schools continuous professional development (CPD) in Computer Science.

The sessions which up-skill teachers in Computer Science, run for six weeks, three of those hands-on programming and the final three based around pedagogy and how teachers can apply this in the classroom.

With 20 primary school teachers already gone through the programme before Christmas, the 2^nd cohort is now underway with almost 30 secondary teachers signed up from across South Wales. The secondary sessions are focusing on Python and Greenfoot, currently part of the new GCSE Computing curriculum, which are a more advanced level of programming.

Kate Stephens, Head of ICT at Bishop Gore Comprehensive School, who has recently started the six week programme, said, ‘Technoteach has been a long time in coming in providing Computer Science skills to teachers in secondary schools. It provides a fantastic opportunity for ICT teachers to re-skill, for the new avenues of the changing curriculum of ICT/Computer Science, currently being rewritten in all syllabuses in Wales and indeed in England. As Head of ICT in Bishop Gore School, I have not dabbled with much programming since my degree over 12 years ago and after only one session of Technoteach, I now feel confident to teach the basics of "Python" to pupils within my school through lunchtime Technoclubs. I have already written some complex challenges since the first session this week, which will be used to enthuse and inspire our KS3 pupils into choosing Computer Science at KS4! The hands-on Technoteach workshops were excellent - well guided, thoroughly explained and I am already excited about the second session of the 6 week course.

She added, ‘I would fully recommend Technoteach to other ICT teachers, even if it is to brush up on your Computer Science skills, network with other ICT professionals and create valuable outstanding resources to interest and inspire your pupils to encourage them to improve their understanding of the Computer Science discipline.’

Professor Faron Moller, Director of the Technocamps Programme at Swansea University, said, ‘The demand for delivering GCSE Computing in schools across Wales is growing and the Technoteach project provides quality training for teachers, equipping them with the necessary knowledge to teach young people the fundamental skills of computing, required for the future digital economy.

Sarah Thomas, Head of IT at Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn, said, ‘The school is always looking at courses which would interest pupils and have decided this year to offer GCSE computer science as well as GCSE ICT.  Staff members in the department have taught ICT previously and needed a refresher training course on programming in particular.  Members of the ICT department have attended other Technoteach events.  CPD events like this are very important otherwise we would not be able to offer such courses to our pupils.

Further sessions will be run later this year, so if any primary or secondary teachers are interested there will be plenty of opportunity to sign up.  You will need to be committed to attending the full course which is free of charge and we will also pay for supply cover up to £80 for the first session, 1-8pm.

Picture caption:  Secondary school teachers getting to grips with Python and Greenfoot at this weeks Technoteach session at Swansea University.