ECDL: Applying the Computing Curriculum

at Secondary Level

Helen O’Kelly IT Teacher and Librarian

Classroom Context

• O365 for Education (2016)

• 4 Raspberry Pi microcontrollers (2016)

• Java-free ECDL (2015)

• 25 new computers (2015)

• 100MB broadband (2014)

• Upgraded IT infrastructure and WiFi (2013)

• Windows 7 and Office 2013

Bridge21: 21st Century Teaching and Learning Model

• “doing hard fun”

• Structured team-based pedagogy

• Project based activities

• Technology-mediated learning

• Learning from others

• Facilitation, guiding, mentoring

Byrne, Fisher and Tangney (2015) “Empowering Teachers to Teach CS – Exploring A Social Constructivist Approach for CS CPD, using the Bridge21 Model.

Bridge21 Activity Model

• “builds on ideas from design thinking where teams move through phases of inspiration, ideation, and implementation”

• Gives the class a pedagogical structure, backed by academic evidence to apply 21st Century Teaching and Learning skills

Byrne, Fisher and Tangney (2015) “Empowering Teachers to Teach CS – Exploring A Social Constructivist Approach for CS CPD, using the Bridge21 Modell

www.bridge21.ie

ICT Curriculum, Free Computing Curriculum (CC) and Timetabling

• 1st – 3rd Years focus on ICT modules while preparing for (CC)

• Online Essentials • Online Collaboration Google

Drive • Computer Essentials • Word • Spreadsheets • Presentation • IT Security

• TY focus on ICT and 4 CC modules

ICT Curriculum & Computational Thinking

• 1st – 3rd Years: two online ICT modules per year

• Warm-up stage: computational thinking puzzles/exercises

• 1st Years: double class • Craft work, algorithms • Modelling Raspberry Pi

punnets • Scratch projects • Information Literacy

Computing Curriculum & Computational Thinking

Digital Media • History/Irish/Computer

Studies – 1916 Magazine

Computational Thinking • Scratch and SciFest

Microcontrollers • Raspberry Pi projects

Multi-Media Storytelling • Student’s own TY experience

Resources (1/2)

Digital Media • O365, Google Docs, Audacity,

apps, etc

Computational Thinking • Scratch Help and videos • LERO • CoderDojo • Students themselves • CSUnplugged.org

Resources (2/2)

Microcontrollers • Maplins - Raspberry Pi kits • amazon.co.uk • Make Shop (Science Gallery) • cpc.farnell.com • raspberrypi.org

Multi-media Story Telling • Sway, Windows Movie Maker,

apps, PowerPoint, Audacity

CPD

• Education Centres

• Bridge21

• Make Shop

• scratch.mit.edu online tutorials

• learnpython.org

• books

Challenges

• IT infrastructure

• Network speed

• Understanding what you are teaching

• Timetabling

Any questions?

Helen O’Kelly hokelly@stratfordcollege.ie