DIGITAL THINKING Setting the scene for future learning
Entering a classroom where boys are taking part in the new digital thinking programme for all Year 9s is to see technology in action as they create music, animation, and web design and coding. The class is buzzing, enthusiastic and eager to learn.
“Down the track, we want to look at introducing Arduinos and involving the boys in making their own circuit boards, rather than using Makey Makey circuits and computers. “Our vision is to cross subject boundaries so we are not just teaching digital and material technology, but can combine these with other subjects so we become truly multidisciplinary.’’ Kevin Harris says parents are fully supportive of these changes and understand the difference between digital literacy, which is using technology, and boys creating their
own digital technology as a means of solving problems, especially in the workplace. “It is so important that we move the boys from being digital consumers to digital creators. That is the key to all the work we are doing.’’ “Our curriculum area is changing so fast that we need to be the drivers of these changes and to extend the boys so they grow and take control of technology, rather than the other way round. A good example of this is applied science and technology in Year 11, run by Arthur McGregor.
HOD Design and Technology Kevin Harris says the new programme he and Eloise Nevin are running has fully engaged the boys. Eloise teaches HTML web design and coding and Kevin explores the world of physical computing and code, using Scratch coding, which he says is good for introducing logic flow and the idea of programming itself. As part of College’s emphasis on specialisation and personalised learning, boys are encouraged to work on their own projects and those with previous experience are extended beyond the current class work. “Our style of delivery is very much that each boy has his own programme which suits his level of experience and style of learning,’’ Kevin says. “Boys immerse themselves in the programme and that is what digital thinking is all about. It allows them be creative and doesn’t bind them to a rigid plan.
“It allows us to look at the important components of coding, then to look at the
human interface. Things are now controlled by code, but we want them to build understanding of the interconnections between the human physical environment and the digital world.
College Issue 32 2017
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