1. Home >
  2. Pūhanga | Engineering >
  3. Schools and departments >
  4. Computer Science and Software Engineering >
  5. Computer Science Education >

Computer Science Education

  • Photo taken by OEXP team

    Ngai Tahu rangitahi combined with students from the University of Delaware in February for a workshop on computer science and programming to explore cultural transmission.

The University of Canterbury has built an enviable reputation for producing Computer Science education resources. In particular: CS Unplugged and CS Field Guide. These are used to teach computer science to school students in a variety of cultures and contexts around the world.

 CS Unplugged is a collection of free teaching material that teaches Computer Science through engaging games and puzzles that use cards, string, crayons and lots of running around. CS Field Guide is an online interactive resource/textbook for high school students learning about computer science.

 The Computer Science Education Research Group (CSERG) in the department has run many events to support teachers in the new Digital Technologies curriculum. In the past these have included CS4HS (for high school teachers), CS4PS (for primary school teachers), and CS4PD (helping teachers provide professional development for other teachers).

 These programmes are now the basis of teacher events currently being offered through the Kia Takatu programme.  More information about workshops from the Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE) department can be found at Resources for teachers.

 The department contributes to the EDEM 626 and EDEM 665 postgraduate courses for school teachers; these two courses are offered in alternate years. Courses are available through the Signal graduate school as a UC Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

 We are also involved in resource creation for schools, community groups, iwi and runanga to facilitate their own programmes.