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This course is designed to equip participants to teach relevant computer science topics to those who teach students in schools, including New Zealand's ground-breaking NCEA standards. Each of the main topics will be critically examined in terms of pedagogical and subject knowledge while at the same time developing current and future teachers' understanding of theoretical perspectives of computer science education. Participants will develop through investigating theories and practices in computer science education and industry. A key component is an individual research project to develop, implement and critically evaluate a resource to support teaching a selected topic. This project provides practical experience informed by current research from the computer science discipline. The course does not cover computer programming.
In 2017 the course provides activities on the leading-edge of developments for educators in schools and the community to engage more school-age learners in the study of Digital Technologies. Also known as Computer Science education, the curriculum includes New Zealand's ground-breaking NCEA standards as well as the new curriculum and related resources announced by the Ministry of Education in 2016 for primary and secondary schools. The University of Canterbury’s team is led by award winning Professor of Computer Science Education, Tim Bell, who leads projects developing curriculum resources for schools that are used internationally.This course is a Flexible Learning Option comprising online learning community hosted in UC Learn and complemented with a Christchurch-based 3-day intensive in the 2017 Easter school holidays. During the intensive students will engage with Computer Science experts in the university and in the software industry. Assessed activities are designed to enable teachers to apply their coursework within their own practice in schools and/or through outreach to young people in the community. Teachers aiming to increase equity and outreach in their locality may apply for a $1000 fee waiver scholarship sponsored by Google.
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the Learning Objectives of 'Knowledge of Computer Science and Software Engineering' as outlined the NZ Technology curriculum support documents and explain their relationship to the discipline of computer science.2. Demonstrate an understanding of pedagogical knowledge for teaching computer science at school level.3. Critique and apply socio-cultural learning theory to computer science education in schools.4. Critically evaluate existing resources for teaching computer science at school level.5. Analyse and critique key literature (from the main English-language bodies of material) related to the teaching of computer science at school level.6. Design, implement and evaluate new resources to convey topics from computer science to students.7. Examine and demonstrate an understanding of the implications of social and cultural issues including gender, diversity, disability, culture, and equity in computer science education.8. Evaluate the roles of major organisations concerned with the curriculum development and teaching of computer science, including the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), NZACDITT, CAS, and ACM.
Subject to approval of the Head of School.
Niki Davis
Tim Bell and Susan Tull
Course participants are expected to participate actively in the online learning environment. Course participants will be required to plan, implement and evaluate a mini research project for a centre, school or other education or training context.
Domestic fee $1,775.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 10 people apply to enrol.
For further information see School of Educational Studies and Leadership .