ICT teaching model near to public release

ICT teaching model near to public release
Detail to be released after minister is briefed
By Stephen Bell Auckland | Friday, 1 May, 2009

Collaboration between the teaching profession, the Ministry of Education and the NZ Computer Society has produced a “model and framework” for putting computer-related education in schools on a more relevant footing.
By agreement between the parties the detail of the new structure is not being released “until they have been formalised and the minister briefed”, says NZCS CEO Paul Matthews.

However, he believes they “finally lead to resolution of many of the problems outlined in the NZCS Report and since”.

The report he refers to, published last year, identified substantial shortcomings in the ICT-related material being offered in schools and particularly a lack of relevant and workable NCEA achievement standards in the subject (Computerworld, June 2, 2008).

It was written by Gordon Grimsey from the Auckland University of Technology and teacher Margot Phillipps, and edited and reviewed by a team of 13 senior academics and ICT professionals from around New Zealand.

“We’re happy also to report that a new Computing Subject Association has been established,” Matthews says.

“NZCS, along with PPTA, pushed for the formation of this group and ICT teacher Vilna Gough-Jones, from Burnside High School in Christchurch, and others carried this through and formed the association.”

A Subject Association is formed by a group of teachers of a specific subject, to look after the professional development of teachers and curriculum development.

“It’s excellent to see one finally in place for computing teachers,” Matthews says.

“NZCS already has a strong relationship with this group and are looking at how we can continue to support their work further.”

http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/care/35F15B7628A17764CC2575A8007226D3