Informatics in secondary and elementary schools in Serbia Ohrid, 25. August , 2011

Jakov Budimac, Petra Šešelja Andreja Tepavčević Jakov Budimac, Petra Šešelja Department of Mathematics and Informatics Faculty of Science University of Novi Sad Serbia  

Outline: Introduction Informatics in secondary school - current situation - new curriculum proposal (starting from 2012/13) - situation in practice, pupil experience (Jakov Budimac) Informatics in elementary school - new (current) curriculum - situation in practice, pupil experience (Petra Šešelja) Conclusion

Introduction: Importance of informatics education Old school curriculum for secondary school New curriculum proposal New curriculum for elementary schools

Informatics in secondary school Current curriculum from 1-4 year secondary school (pupils from 15-19) in all tracks (gymnasium for natural, social and general sciences). There is one obligatory subject Informatics for all pupils and all years.

Content: Year I Hardware Software Operating systems - Windows Word Processing - Word Computer Computer networks Internet multimedia

year II Corel Photo paint - Photo processing the images Power point-Making presentations on the computer Front page Excel

year III Basics of programming Turbo Pascal Free Pascal 2.0.2. year IV Track social sciences: Advanced use of word processors DATABASES Track natural sciences: DELPHI

In current curriculum every child in secondary school follows each year an informatics course Now, according to the new curriculum proposal situation may be changed. New curriculum proposal provoked a large negative response. The reform of gymnasium program should start from 2011/12 but now it is delayed for 2012/13.

Proposal of new curriculum (from 2012/13) for gymnasium - Informatics in natural science track in first two years of study - 2 hours per week last two years of study - informatics is only in some elective modules - In social science track 2 hours per week only in I year + some minor possibility to chose Informatics subjects in II-IV years

Informatics is obligatory course only in I and II year (I year Informatics is obligatory course only in I and II year (I year*) (2 hours per week). It can be elected in some modules from (II*)III-IV year. However: All other "classical" subjects are still obligatory. Some justification of the commission which proposed the new program is that informatics should be included more in other school subjects

Reason why informatics is not obligatory subject is that students should be disburdened of many different topics and they should choose modules (group of subjects) that are of most interest for them. However, all other subjects are still obligatory to some extent.

Situation in practice, pupil experience (Jakov Budimac) - SYLLABUS Hardware – Basic components of computer Software - Basic information about concepts of programming languages (just mention Basic, Pascal) Operating Systems – Windows – Making folders, tree structure, copy/move command Text Processing – Word – Text formatting, headers/footers, pictures, tables Computer Networks – Theoretical elements of networks, types of networks Internet and Multimedia – History of Internet and basic functionalities

Situation in practice - METHODOLOGY Hardware, Software, Computer Networks, Internet and Multimedia Very classical style of teaching, talk, blackboard/chalk, No practical demonstration on computer, no PowerPoint presentations, BORING for majority of class mates Operating Systems – Windows, Text Processing – Word Teacher write commands on blackboard, not uses computer for demonstration Pupils did exercises in pairs (practice presented commands) They have got additional several typical tasks to complete (connected to presented topics) Practical work with computer - it was MORE INTERESTING As a consequence of such methodology majority of class mates play games, use facebook, watch movies, etc.

Situation in practice - ASSESMENT Classical oral exam (theoretical questions) Extra active pupils, during practical work earned additional good grades GENERAL BORING classical style of teaching Practical work was MORE INTERESTING Teacher was rather relaxed and not required too much GOOD for majority of pupils, obtained good grades Not too much knowledge was acquired

Informatics in elementary school New (current) plan and program from 5-8 year (pupils from 10-14) Two subjects: one obligatory: Technical and informatics education 2 hours per week, 68 hours per year. 16 hours of informatics one elective (?) 21% of students Informatics and computing 1 hour per week, 34 hours per year

Technical and informatics education Aims of the course (part of informatics education) are: to learn the basic concept of information and communication technology (ICT), to learn about the role of ICT in different professions, to learn computer skills; learn to use computers with ready-made programs for word processing, graphics views and web interface.

Operational tasks Students should: - Expand their knowledge about the basic operating system commands - Expand their knowledge about the use of Internet and e-mail - Expand their knowledge about the use of basic word processing, spreadsheets and images - Learn how to prepare presentations.

Program content PROGRAM CONTENT Information Technology (16 hours) The practical application of computers. Computer network. Use of the Internet-access to the www, e-mail. Management of using personal computers with the environment. Application of computers using interface technology - management models. Using word processing, data, tables, graphics, preparing presentations in different topics.

Informatics and computing (elective course) The aim and objectives The overall goal of teaching computer science and computing is to enable students to use a computer and gain skills in the application of computers in everyday life. Other objectives and tasks of teaching computer science are: - To introduce the basic concepts of informatics and computing; - To develop interest in the use of computers in everyday life and work; - Training in computer skills; - Encouraging creativity with the computer.

Operational tasks - Introducing students to computer applications in spreadsheets and developing chart; - Introduce students to the problem-solving tasks on the computer; - Introduce students to the basics of the language to create simple presentations on network; - Introducing students to opportunities for the development of specialized programs for presentations on network; - Training students to build the projects using the computer technology.

Situation in practice, pupil experience (Petra Šešelja) - SYLLABUS Informatics as a part of Technical Course PowerPoint – Basic functionalities, ready for preparing presentations for different topics (especially geography) Text Processing – Word – Text formatting, headers/footers, pictures, tables Excel – Just making different tables, and producing simple graphics DataBases – Theoretical concepts and functionalities Programming C++ - Basic commands (if, while, for), basic data types, arrays C# - Building simple forms using edit fields, buttons, combo boxes,…

Situation in practice - METHODOLOGY PowerPoint, Text Processing – Word, Excel Teacher: Intensive usage of PowerPoint presentations, practical demonstration on computer Pupils Each has his/her computer Hurried to do exercises and then majority of class mates play games, use facebook, etc.  Programming Intensive usage of block diagrams and algorithmic style of thinking Teacher explained statements, presented small programs Pupils have got small, similar tasks to solve, solve it together during class. Teacher tried to be friend with pupils and had no appropriate authority

Situation in practice - ASSESMENT First part: PowerPoint, Text Processing – Word, Excel Preparation of PowerPoint presentation for chosen topic for Geography course No knowledge assessment for other topics Programming Tests, 3 simple programming tasks In advanced phase of course Pupils were divided in two groups: MORE INTERESTED – Were thought some advanced programming topics REGULAR – Rest of class – just practiced basic programming topics

Conclusion Informatics is currently included in curriculum of all schools in Serbia There is a proposal to change curricula in order to disburden the students Situation in practice - not too bad.

Thank you for your attention!