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First teachers receive new Certificate in Computer Science Teaching

The first teachers in the country to have completed the new BCS Certificate in Computer Science Teaching will receive their certificates at a special presentation in Birmingham next month.

The certificate enables teachers to demonstrate their teaching competence in the computer science elements of the new computing curriculum. Devised and implemented by Computing At School (CAS) and accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, the certificate was launched last autumn.

Teaching computing requires a good understanding of computer science as it is taught in school as well as the development of appropriate skills. The certificate provides professional recognition for this. Working towards the certificate helps teachers who do not have formal teaching qualifications in computing but need to demonstrate competence in order to progress and gain recognition. It also helps to consolidate and extend existing skills and support work in the classroom.

Simon Humphreys, National Coordinator, Computing At School (CAS) part of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT said: “Computing affects almost everything we do and it is vital that we support teachers delivering the new computing curriculum by helping them gain the skills and knowledge they need to inspire future generations - and ensure they have an excellent computing education.”

Tim Dolan, from The De Montfort School, Evesham who will be formally awarded his certificate at the 2015 Computing At School (CAS) Annual Conference in Birmingham in June said: “I now feel more confident to deliver the new computing curriculum. It was hard work, but has been a very rewarding experience and I am confident that it will have a positive impact on my teaching and benefit my students.”

Tim continues: “The course was excellent and I would recommend any ICT or computing teacher to apply. It encouraged me to find new ways to engage my students - for example - using Twitter to set homework, answer questions and give feedback. This approach has improved engagement, and hence attainment in the theory part of the AS Computing course where students have traditionally underperformed.”

There are two versions of the certificate, one specifically for primary teachers and one for secondary teachers.

Further information about how to enrol can be found at: www.computingatschool.org.uk/certificate

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Channel website: http://www.bcs.org/

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