The University of Warwick is launching an online computer sciences course to assist teachers delivering the new computing curriculum.

The MOOC – a Massively Open Online Course – will allow teachers to support the new drive to enable schoolchildren to be active creators of computing technology rather than passive users of IT.

The course has received funding from Google and is aimed at teachers working with UK Key stages three and four. It will be of value to teachers of other subjects who have been asked to deliver the new computing curriculum.

Building on material developed through Warwick’s existing work with local teachers, the MOOC will cover fundamental computing concepts and computational thinking, the Python programming language as well as the development of teaching resources.

As well as independent study, the MOOC will offer a community forum to share experiences and resources and expert real-time support on the course content.

Jane Sinclair, Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Sciences at the University of Warwick said: “The next generation of British computer scientists needs specific skills to be at the forefront of the digital age.

“Instead of teaching schoolchildren to be passive consumers of software, the new computing curriculum will give them access to an exciting world of coding, apps and entrepreneurship.

“But teachers need to have the right subject knowledge in place in order to teach the new curriculum.

“Through our prior work with education professionals, we know that teachers from subjects such as ICT and Business are being asked to teach computer sciences courses and some may struggle with the new course content.

“The new MOOC aims to provide these teachers with a free, flexible and supported way to address any gaps their knowledge so they can deliver the new computing curriculum with confidence.”

In contrast to many of the MOOCS currently available, the course will be a ‘supported MOOC’ where help will be at hand if teachers struggle with any part of the course.

University of Warwick post-graduate students will assist participants in real-time support sessions using Google Hangouts, Google Talk and Google Docs.

The MOOC will be launched in October 2013.

ENDS

For media enquries please contact University of Warwick press officer Anna Blackaby on 02476 575910 or a dot blackaby at warwick dot ac dot uk

For teachers, click here for further information and the opportunity to register interest

Or contact Claire Rocks on C dot L dot Rocks at warwick dot ac dot uk

For further information please contact University of Warwick press officer Anna Blackaby on 02476 575910 or a dot blackaby at warwick dot ac dot uk