Digital Wales curriculum timetabled for teaching conference
The first teachers’ conference in Wales led by Computing At School (CAS) and supported by Technocamps will address how to enhance the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum for a Digital Wales.
The first teachers’ conference in Wales led by Computing At School (CAS) and supported by Technocamps will address how to enhance the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum for a Digital Wales.
Hosted by Swansea University on Friday 1st July, the conference aims to provide teachers, examination boards, academics and policymakers with a forum to discuss issues surrounding Computing education in Wales.
It will feature keynote talks from representatives of Microsoft, the Welsh Government, NHS Wales, e-skills UK and the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. The day will also provide practical workshop sessions for teachers, combined with breakout sessions for discussing wider policy and curriculum issues.
Professor Faron Moller, Director of Technocamps at Swansea University, said: “After three successful Computing at School conferences in England, collaboration with Technocamps is now helping to develop a strong community for teachers within Wales. It’s also providing support, resources and training opportunities.”
Technocamps is dedicated to delivering outreach programmes to schools and colleges, inspiring young people to study computing-based topics aligned with the STEM subjects. An ultimate objective is to encourage careers in key strategic areas that can drive economic growth and create wealth.
“This conference will enable Technocamps to inform STEM teachers about how the multi-million pound initiative will encourage young people to learn computing through novel interactive workshops.”
Dr Tom Crick, Leader of Computing at School in Wales, and Lecturer in Computer Science at UWIC, added: “The Welsh Government’s framework for ‘Delivering a Digital Wales’ was designed to reflect the role digital technologies now play in our lives, touching upon virtually every strand of public and private sector activity.
"It highlighted the importance of ensuring that more young people in Wales achieve high level skills in technology and fully engage as digital citizens.
"The conference aims to raise the profile of Computing education in Wales and demonstrate the distinctions from digital literacy. It is a core discipline which underpins modern education, scientific research and economic development."
Led by Swansea University in partnership with the Universities of Bangor, Aberystwyth and Glamorgan, Technocamps will focus on a range of topics including robotics, games and software development; as well as animation and digital forensics.
Professor Moller concluded: “We are confident that interactive, ‘real-life’ learning scenarios used during the Technocamp sessions will inspire pupils to continue studying computing to higher levels.”
Register to attend the conference at http://caswales2011.eventbrite.com/. For further information, contact Siân Jones, Communications Manager, Technocamps on 01792 606652 or email info@technocamps.com.
