NEXT-GEN EDUCATORS EMBRACE CODING AND ROBOTICS

IIE Varsity College Waterfall 3rd and 4th year IIE Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase teaching students with staff and Ntokozo Dube (Programme Facilitator iStore Education) (front on the right) at a recent Becoming a Coding Teacher Coding and Robotics interactive onsite session.

Coding and robotics teachers play a fundamental role in developing and nurturing a new generation of innovators while providing them with foundational skills for critical thinking, problem solving and creativity. 61 beginner coding and robotics teachers attended the recent launch of the Becoming a Coding Teacher programme in 2024, the outcome of a partnership between The IIE’s Varsity College, IIE MSA and iStore Education.

This two-level online course, designed for first time coding teachers, will introduce the IIE Bachelor of Education students (Foundation and Intermediate Phase) to the world of coding and robotics. On completion of Level 1 Becoming a Coding Teacher, students will have the option of venturing deeper into coding and robotics through Level 2: Becoming a Coding Teacher: Advanced Swift Playgrounds Mastery.

Said Susan Friederichs van Harmelen (Dean Faculty of Education The IIE’s Varsity College and IIE MSA) at the launch: “The IIE’s Varsity College and IIE MSA acknowledges you as the beginner coding teacher pioneers we need. You have recognised the importance of this skill in your training as future teachers and have been proactive in upskilling yourselves as the teachers of tomorrow. You are committed to the future - a future where you empower your learners to become innovators, leaders, and designers of their own destinies, through exposure to coding and robotics.”

Level: 1 Becoming a Coding Teacher includes various coding languages and the versatility of transferring skills between them. It also teaches effective classroom coding strategies and explores the pivotal role of robotics. Curriculum pathways and progression are also navigated.

Level 2: Becoming a Coding Teacher: Advanced Swift Playgrounds Mastery includes Swift Playgrounds, exploring Augmented Reality, Machine Learning and the art of app design and development.

Effective teacher preparation is key to the successful integration of coding and robotics in South African schools and this partnership between The IIE’s Varsity College, IIE MSA and iStore Education is aimed at achieving that.