ON the one hand I think that my most important task is to help students with the right thinking because things will change. If they think the right way then they can turn their hands to anything when needed. The language we use for this can provide context and industry context for some students is important.
<br>Having an 'industry language' provides context and for some students this is important. If you were doing VET IT it would be important. I think that the educational factors outweigh the idea of using an industry language in many cases though.
<br>We have a shortage of IT teachers in areas of the country. Students are running away from the subject. Seems we need to do something different and I think that Scratch/Squeak/eToys/Gamemaker type of thing is part of the answer. I am liking Scratch a lot right now but as I get it used in this neck of the woods, it will start to be used in lower grades (7-10) and its use in senior secondary will disappear. The chances are that students will have a much better background and so dabbling in a languages like Python/Javascript/PHP will be easier and more relevant.
<br>Our life could be a whole lot simpler and possibly better if we were to move toward the recommendation in some way. It is not the best thing to do across the board though.<br>Quick and dirty response<br>:-)<br>Peter<br>
<br><br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 17/09/2007, <b class="gmail_sendername">Bill Kerr</b> <<a href="mailto:billkerr@gmail.com">billkerr@gmail.com</a>> wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
hi peter,<br><br>what do you think of that recommendation?<span class="q"><br><br>> the last sentence is of particular interest and may impact on language decisions<br><br></span>I came across these materials recently<br>
<a href="http://csunplugged.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">
http://csunplugged.com/</a><br>Computer Science Unplugged is a collection of activities designed to
teach the fundamentals of computer science without requiring a computer<br><span class="sg"><br>- Bill</span><span class="q"><br><br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 9/17/07, <b class="gmail_sendername">Peter Ruwoldt</b>
<<a href="mailto:ruwoldtp@gmail.com" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">
ruwoldtp@gmail.com</a>> wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">Published by The Department of
Communications, Information Technology and the Arts in June 2006 is a document called
'Building Australian ICT Skills - <a href="http://www.dcita.gov.au/search/click.cgi?url=http://www.dcita.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/40270/Building_Australian_ICTskills.pdf&rank=5&collection=search" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">
Report of the ICT Skills
foresighting working group</a>'
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="http://www.dcita.gov.au/search/click.cgi?url=http://www.dcita.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/40270/Building_Australian_ICTskills.pdf&rank=5&collection=search" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">
http://www.dcita.gov.au/search/click.cgi?url=http://www.dcita.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/40270/Building_Australian_ICTskills.pdf&rank=5&collection=search
</a></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Page 10 of this document is in the 'Key
findings and recommendations' section and deals with ICT in Schools.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.25cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>The Working
Group expressed concerns that the quality of ICT teaching in schools,
and the outmoded image of ICT work presented, may be deterring
students from considering ICT as an option for further study at
university/TAFE and as a career choice. This was an issue that also
received considerable attention at the partICipaTion Summit.</i></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.25cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1.25cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>In particular
the Working Group raised concerns about the teaching of ICT as a
specialised subject in the later school years. The Working Group
considered that the focus should be on teaching fundamental ICT
principles, useful as a foundation for further study, rather than on
specific programming areas.</i></p>
<br><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The last sentence is of particular interest and may impact on language decisions.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Peter</p></blockquote><div><br></div></div><br></span>
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</div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Free and Open education for all<br><br>Peter Ruwoldt<br>Grant High School<br>Hosking Avenue<br>MOUNT GAMBIER SA 5290<br><br>P. 08 87263107 (Do not leave voice mail)<br>F. 08 87250173
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