Developing Innovative Education Products
Amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where technology and digital literacy drive progress, education has never been more crucial. Educators can keep pace with this seismic shift by integrating the new CAPS subject, Coding and Robotics, into their teaching practice. This is precisely why Cambridge has developed an essential new workshop: “Coding and Robotics for Foundation Phase Teachers”.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various sectors, and education is no exception. As part of my ongoing attempt to understand the use of AI in education, I surveyed teachers* to gauge their perspectives on the potential impact of AI on education and their teaching practices. The survey consisted of four questions, including both quantitative and qualitative elements, designed to explore teachers’ current usage of AI, perceived benefits, concerns, and support needs for integrating AI into their classrooms.
Question 1: On a scale of 1 to 5, how optimistic are you about the potential impact of AI on education and your teaching practices?
(one being not optimistic at all, and five being very optimistic)
Python is an excellent language to use to teach CAPS Senior Phase coding. Focusing on breaking down the concepts into easily digestible segments, interactive exercises, and real-life applications can make learning Python more engaging and fun for students. I’ve got some tried-and-tested strategies to share that’ll make teaching Python a breeze.
Firstly, understand the learner’s perspective. High school learners are at a significant transition point in their lives where they’re exploring new interests and developing cognitive abilities. By identifying their strengths, weaknesses and interests, we can tailor a curriculum that sparks their curiosity and enhances their desire to learn. Start with the basics, like syntax and data types, before slowly progressing to more complex topics. Remember, keeping students motivated and confident is critical.
Secondly, it’s essential to incorporate hands-on practice. High school students learn best by actively engaging with the subject matter. This allows them to understand the language better and teaches them invaluable critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Set up small coding projects involving real-life scenarios or challenges for the students to solve. Examples of projects could be creating a simple game or building a basic calculator—the more interactive the learning experience, the better.