Logging on for new skills
Deputy First Minister John Swinney recently visited Strathearn to launch a new national programme to help primary school teachers bring computer science to life in the classroom.
Mr Swinney, who is also the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, visited the Community School of Auchterarder to unveil the new online tool aimed at improving teachers’ knowledge, skills and confidence regarding computing science.
The Barefoot Computing Programme, which has been developed by BT, the Chartered Institute for IT and Education Scotland, has free, downloadable resources which focus on concepts such as algorithms, abstraction, programming and data structures and provide ideas on how they can be used in the classroom.
Mr Swinney, also the MSP for the northern part of Perthshire, said: “The launch of the Barefoot Computing Programme is a fantastic example of industry supporting education in Scotland.
“It means a range of free online resources will now be available to help improve the knowledge, skills and confidence of primary teachers across Scotland in their delivery of Computing Science.
“Children today are growing up surrounded by digital technology and it has a huge effect on our economy and society.
“That is why we are working with partners to ensure the curriculum helps young people develop the digital and computing science skills that will be vital to them in this digitised world.”