Term 2 Post

I decided not to write anything to the google that I belong to over the holidays. This has been a struggle as I normally post 1-3 items a day. I decided to give it a rest. However, it means that there is a lot to focus on when I get back on Monday. So, I have decided to use the my blog as a way to start to put together the information.

NZACDITT April News?

First CS4HS

Announced on the http://cosc.canterbury.ac.nz/cs4hs site is the three possible New Zealand CS4HS events this year. One in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

However, please note that there are differences.

Canterbury will run one that (like previous ones) is focused on the Computer Science and Programming Achievement standards, for teachers who are at beginner/intermediate level, so the discussions will be more focussed on getting started.

The Victoria one would be more general, looking more at areas of computer science that are of general interest, even if they are outside the standards (this is the model used for CS4HS overseas, and gives a broader view of the topic, which would be more suitable for those already teaching the standards.)

Unitec will also be running a CS4HS workshop this year, which is likely to cover mobile applications and devices, cyber-security, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

Second, Electronics

It is important to remind people that there are five strands of Digital Technologies, Digital Information, Digital Media, Programming and Computer Science, Digital Electronics and Digital Infrastructure. 

Bill Collis from Mt Roskill Grammar School has made his entire teaching resource available, through http://techideas.co.nz, this is an expansive piece of work that show the commitment he has to the subject area. Courses ranging from Year 10 to Level 3 including Scholarship have been made available. Thank you Bill for making this work available.

Third Progression to Tertiary

As we know, there has been a large project by NZQA and IITP to look at the qualifications that our students could work towards at a tertiary level. This work seems to be coming to an end with some impressive results. It seems that have followed what happens with Senior Secondary and the Digital Technologies strands and aligned a lot of programmes to these. Rather hard when there are over 200 qualifications out there.

http://www.futureintech.org.nz/enews/schools/story.cfm?ID=38

Fouth Promoting our subject - Digital Choices

Techlink have listened to what we had to say, I think they really didn't like it when we voiced our concern over the words Digital Technology... which should have been Digital Technologies. However, they have a rather impressive brochures now that will be useful at career evenings

New Futureintech brochure: Digital Choices

We’ve recently published two new brochures about careers in engineering and IT – these are the two areas where there is the most confusion among students, teachers and parents/caregivers.

Written in consultation with industry and education stakeholders, the Digital Choices brochure provides in depth information about careers in the IT industry. We’ve created a diagram that gives an overview of tertiary qualification pathways, which reflects the new 14 qualification framework.

All of Futureintech’s print publications can be ordered online: www.futureintech.org.nz/order-form.cfm

We welcome your feedback on the brochures and qualification diagrams – please contact Megan Rodden, email: writer@futureintech.org.nz

Something else that can be given out at Careers evenings is the brochure from http://csanz.ac.nz/high-school/, which is the Computer Science Association of New Zealand. This brochure has good quotes and information on how each of the Universities see Digital Technologies - Computer Science and Programming and how it fits into their courses.

Fifth Brief Development

Craig Jefferies from Wakatipu College in Queenstown has been putting together resources to assist his students in the development of Digital Technologies projects. For those that have meet Craig at the various NZACDITT symposiums, he is a Technologist using Generic Technology and Digital Technologies Achievement standards together to create workable, sellable products. He has made these resources available through the NZACDITT website, 3.1 Brief Development, Year 9 and 10 Technology Resource
These are available through the NZACDITT website

Six External Standard Best Practice Checklist

http://nzacditt.org.nz/resources/external-assessment-best-practices-checklist
With the release of the External Standards Report next week, I have been told that they will available the first week of Term 2. I know, please don't get me started. As we have all been told by our schools no doubt, to reflect on our results. The Best Practices Checklist is something that is worthwhile doing, something I do myself, all of the material I put together and have this wonderful book so I can look at the standard, the material and have it all in one place. It also reminds me of what I need to look for.

Seven Online moderation

Having just been through a moderation round at our school, it was pleasing to note that I was the only one that completed the online moderation, all of the others rushed to find work, bag and tag. This has been a no rush, no fretting exercise and was surprised how easy it went. For more information on how to do online moderation,  http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/publications/newsletters-and-circulars/assessment-matters/online-submission-of-moderation-materials/

Eight Digital Information

James Murfitt has produced a number of resources for use with teachers around the Digital Information Skills standards, Please note that these are not being presented as complete and perfect resources. This is what I created and used. I am not professing to be an expert, so I may have things wrong etc. However, I have put a lot of effort into these resources so thought that if someone else was struggling they could use them, or get ideas from them. www.teawamutucol.school.nz/DTC/index.htm
1.41, 2.41, 3.41
1.43 & 3.43
1.45/1.46

Nine Computer Science Club

Over the last few months we have been planning on how to restart the Computer Science Club in 2014 but also bring the learning experience to many more around the country due to the increasing demand. We have now changed focus and have joined forces with the New Zealand Institute of IT Professionals (IITP) to focus on developing a computer science badge system and supporting resources for school students that any club can run, instead of running a limited number of clubs in Christchurch.

We hope new and existing computer clubs in Christchurch and around the country will adopt this new system. These may be run during school lunchtimes, after school, at libraries, universities, or at workplaces in the IT industry. We will be helping establish these clubs around New Zealand, and once clubs start our website will list available clubs.

We aim to have several clubs running the Computer Science Badge system by the end of Term 2. Keep tuned to the website at www.computerscienceclub.org for more information over the coming weeks.

Thank you for your patience,

Jack Morgan and the rest of the Computer Science Education Research Group at the University of Canterbury

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