Pupils crack the code in digital lesson with Sony
PRIMARY school children are being given the opportunity to learn critical digital skills for the future economy with the Sony Schools Digital Literacy programme.
First Minister Carwyn Jones and the Cabinet’s Education Secretary Kirsty Williams AM visited Sony UK Technology Centre in Pencoed, to see first-hand the benefits of the programme.
They talked to pupils from Barry Island Primary School, Caedraw Pri- mary School in Merthyr Tydfil, St Mary’s Primary Catholic School in Bridgend, St Clare’s School in Porthcawl, Y Pant in Llantrisant and Tondu Primary School who have already completed the programme.
The Sony Schools Digital literacy programme aims to inspire learning through high quality digital experiences.
The Welsh Government will be making a Digital Competency Framework available in September, as part of the development of a new curriculum for Wales.
This framework has been developed by Digital Pioneer Schools Practitioners, designed to be a useful tool for schools and other settings to strengthen learning.The programme involves up to eight schools each term, and 37 schools a year.
Children are taken on a factory tour and are shown Raspberry Pi coding, learning skills that can be taken to the classroom.
Pupils also learn about the hardware and software components that make up computer systems and about coding.
The second part of the programme is led by Sony tenant company It’s My Shout where youngsters make their own threeminute films using camera, audio equipment and green screens. The winning school, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Bridgend, will now visit Cardiff City Stadium to learn about live event technology, meet the football team and show their films.
The First Minister said: “As a Welsh Government, we want to make sure our children and young people have the skills, knowledge and understanding to succeed in a rapidly changing techno- logical landscape.”
The Education Secretary added: “This will help our young people develop the skills they need to thrive in our digital world.”
Steve Dalton, managing director of Sony UK Technology Centre, said: “As a nation, we should aspire to make Wales a world leader in coding and digital skills.
“Knowledge is key so schools must be give the opportunity to embrace digital literacy.”
Ben Woodling, of St Mary’s Primary Catholic School, said: “This was a fantastic experience for our pupils.
“We are delighted to have been part of this unique and valuable programme.”
Reports suggest that there will be 1.4 million jobs in computer programming over the next ten years, with only 400,000 graduates to fill them.