Teachers at West Byford Primary School are bringing digital technologies into everyday learning thanks to Alcoa and Scitech.
Facilitated by Scitech, Alcoa Real World Digital Technologies is a one-term professional learning program that aims to increase teacher confidence and capability in incorporating digital technology into daily teaching.
Teachers are provided with support and resources, including a class set of micro:bits, pocket sized computers which students use across all subjects.
For example, students could use the micro:bit to measure distances without a ruler or tell a story through animation and sound, allowing them to learn how to use block-coding by applying problem-solving skills, creativity and collaboration.
As a technology specialist at West Byford Primary School, teacher Bhawna Nayyar said it was exciting to have a program that allows digital technologies to be integrated across curriculums.
“This allows teachers to add onto what they’re already doing and gets the students really engaged,” she said.
“We’re also looking into how using this technology can help with the social and personal wellbeing of the students.
“For example, one of our education assistants is using the micro:bits with a student with special needs who struggles with communication, and they have been learning to communicate through the micro:bit which is so exciting.”
West Byford Primary School is one of four schools taking part in the program this term, with participants from each school coming together workshops and reflection sessions, further developing teacher networks, skill sharing and community.
“It’s been so great to be able to collaborate with the other schools and hear their ideas and vision for incorporating digital technologies.
“The program is really bringing us together as a community,” Ms Nayyar said.
“It’s so important to raise awareness about digital literacy. We give children iPads from a young age but we rarely teach them how the technology behind it actually works. By engaging students in digital technologies in this way, we can open up a bigger conversation with them and their families around digital footprints, online safety and digital technologies skills that they will use in their everyday lives.”
