Local students get an insight into coding
TWO schools availed of the opportunity to provide some basic computer coding sessions to their students recently.
On Wednesday, September 7, Ian Simons – co-author of the Berserk Computer Programming Guides – delivered two sessions to students at St. Joseph’s College and St. Fanchea’s College.
Computer programming is now an essential element in all Information Communication Technology (ICT) courses and many new careers opportunities are opening up in this new exciting area of the curriculum.
Ian is a lecturer in Stranmillis Teacher Training College, Belfast, and he has been travelling throughout the UK providing training sessions based on his series of Berserk guide books.
The Fermanagh Learning Community organised a twilight event for 19 school staff back in May. This successful event has spurred schools into looking at the development of coding skills among staff.
Ian is very keen to promote computer coding in primary and post-primary schools, to better prepare students for the new skills that they may need in technologically-based courses and careers in the future.
His sessions introduce basic computer coding and enable participants to create and design their own web pages. The course not only develops basic coding skills but also cultivates confidence and self reliance.
At his sessions in St. Fanchea’s and St. Joseph’s, 40 students and staff were taken through the process of developing and designing their first web pages, making choices about fonts and colour schemes.
Staff were impressed with Ian’s knowledge and passion for the subject, and the professional and infectious way that he delivered the sessions.
It is hoped that more schools will be able to use the experiences they gained from his sessions to further develop computer coding in schools.
Ann Carrigan, vice-principal at St. Joseph’s, said that the students came out of the session with “such enthusiasm”, wanting to take the sessions to the next level.
Clare Teague, ICT teacher at St. Fanchea’s, suggested that the experience with Ian has given her “many new ideas” on how to approach the area of coding with GCSE students.