NewTechKids Teacher Training Pilot Program

(Informatie in Nederlands)

Turn your students into robots to teach them how coding, algorithms and commands work. Challenge them to rip apart laptops to learn how computers work. Send them on a crazy treasure hunt to understand how computers process data and information.

NewTechKids is organizing a special five-week teacher training pilot program which will prepare primary school teachers to introduce computer science and coding concepts to students in groups 1-8 (ages 4-12). The program will be taught in the context of 21st century skills related to critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity and collaboration.

NewTechKids is partnering with the Amsterdam Municipal Library (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam) to organize the program.

Emphasis will be placed on computer science pedagogy, teaching approaches and classroom management strategies.

NewTechKids will train teachers using its own lesson plans which do not require computers or software; pen and paper exercises, games, and design-related activities. Teachers do not need to have any computer science knowledge.

Dr. Marja-Ilona Koski, NewTechKids co-founder and a former computer science primary school teacher from Finland, will lead the training. Training will be done in a combination of English and Dutch.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE: Participating teachers will attend five, weekly training sessions and commit to teaching what they learn in between training sessions. Teaching can be done in their classrooms or during Plus Group activities and after-school programs. Sharing teaching experiences and feedback with the group will be important.

Week #1: Fundamental Coding Concepts
Week #2: Coding and Algorithmic thinking
Week #3: Computational Thinking
Week #4: Systems Thinking (hardware)
Week #5: Teaching Computer Science with LEGO Mindstorms (design and programming combined)

ELIGIBILITY: Full-time basisschool teachers are eligible to participate. Several teachers from one school are encouraged to attend for peer support. Freelance teachers, teacher trainers, and after-school program instructors are not eligible to attend this program.

DATES:
– September 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2016
– October 5, 2016

TIME: 15:00 – 17:30

LOCATION: Amsterdam Municipal Library – Main Branch, Zaal Kikker/Vis, Oosterdokskade 143, Amsterdam (5 minute walk from Amsterdam’s Centraal Station)

Cost: 317.31 euro incl. BTW (special discounted price due to pilot program status)

REGISTER