Teaching informatics in primary and secondary schools in Poland Radoslaw Jedynak, PhD Poland, Technical University of Radom Faculty of Teacher Training Department of Mathematics jedynakr@pr.radom.pl

The structure of recent educational system in Poland The reform of the educational system in Poland has been introduced in 1999. Nowadays, the Polish educational system consists of: - primary school (6 grades, age 7 – 13), - lower secondary school – gymnasium (3 years, age 13 – 16), - upper secondary school - “lyceum” (3 years, 16 – 19), - university.

Primary school Education in the 6-year primary school is divided into 2 stages: Stage I – grades 1 to 3, called integrated teaching; Stage II – grades 4 to 6. The teaching at Stage 1 is meant to provide a smooth transition from pre-primary to school education. Educational activities are conducted according to a flexible timetable prepared by the teacher, in which the duration of lessons and breaks is influenced by the pupil’s activity. Stage 2 of the 6-year primary school covers grades 4, 5 and 6. Teaching at this stage is arranged by subjects listed in the outline timetable (Polish language, History and civics, Modern foreign language, Mathematics, Natural science, Music, Art, Technology, Computer science, physical education, Religion/Ethics).

Lower secondary school – gymnasium In the school year 1999/2000 a new type of school, i.e gimnazjum, was established. This school constitutes lower secondary level. The only admission requirement is successful completion of the 6-year primary school (szkoła podstawowa) and the attainment of the primary school leaving certificate. The main objectives are formulated as follows: - to introduce the pupil in the world of science by means of teaching the language, concepts, theories and methodologies characteristic of a given discipline at the level enabling futher education; -to arouse and develop individual interests; -to introduce the pupil to the world of culture and arts; -to develop in pupils social skills and abilities through creating possibilities of experience in co-operation in peer groups.

Lower secondary school – gymnasium

Lower secondary school – gymnasium Exams: At the end of the 3rd year of the gymnasium, an external standardised examination has been introduced. This examination checks abilities, skills and knowledge in the field of humanities and science. It is compulsory for all pupils. The results are indicated on the gymnasium leaving certificate. They are comparable on the national scale.

Basic upper secondary schools Liceum ogólnokształcace (3-year general secondary school) offering 3 years of full-time general upper secondary education for students aged 16 to 19. If offers the Matura examination necessary for admission to higher education. Technikum (4-year technical secondary school) – institution offering 4 years of full-time technical and vocational upper secondary education for students aged 16 to 20. It offers the Matura examination necessary for admission to higher education.

Upper secondary education Upper secondary schools are non-compulsory and mostly co­educational. Subjects: Polish language, Modern foreign language, Mathematics, History, Civics, Geography, Biology, Physics and astronomy, Chemistry, Technology, Information technology, Art, Music, Defense training, Physical education, Ethics (optional), Philosophy (optional), Education for family life, Cultural studies, Entrepreneurship.

Upper secondary education Exams: Upon completion of the 3 years general upper secondary school (liceum ogólnokształcące), pupils are awarded a school leaving certificate (świadectwo ukończenia liceum ogólnokształcącego) on the basis of school results, without a final examination. It mentions the subjects and the marks obtained at the end of the final year. It gives access to the Matura examination or to post-secondary education.

Upper secondary education Exams: At the end of upper secondary education (except basic vocational schools) pupils may sit for egzamin dojrzałości (Matura), a national examination, which is compulsory only to receive the Matura certificate and to gain access to higher education. It consists of written and oral parts. Topics for the written part are set by regional educational authorities (kuratoria), but the assessment is done by teachers. The oral part is totally the responsibility of teachers.

Terminology English computer science information technology (IT) information & communication technology (ICT) Poland informatyka technologia informacyjna (TI) technologia informacyjna i komunikacyjna (TIK)

Terminology Informatics (Computer Science) is concerned with designing and creating informatics ‘products’ and ‘tools’, such as: algorithms, programs, application software, systems, methods, theorems, computers, … Informatics Technology (IT) concentrates on how to use and apply informatics and other information technology tools in working with information Information and Communication Technology (ICT) The combination of informatics technology with other, related technologies, specifically communication technology.

The Education System in Poland Informatics & ICT education 19 - 18 Tertiary education – University ICT – for all students Informatics – elective Upper – high school 16 - 18 Secondary education Lower – gimnazjum, middle school 13 - 15 ICT with elements of informatics Primary education 2nd stage 10 - 12 ICT 1st stage Integrated education 7 - 9 6 Pre-school year

Subjects in National Curriculum Primary schools (students age: 11 –13) ICT lessons (called informatics) Middle schools (students age: 14 –16) High schools (students age: 17 – 19) ICT lessons – obligatory for all students Informatics – elective subject, Matura examination 2 hours per week in one year 2 hours per week in one year 2 hours per week in 2 or 3 years 2 hours per week in one year

Project Meetings and Learning with Computers Authors: Ewa Gurbiel, Grażyna Hardt-Olejniczak, Ewa Kołczyk, Helena Krupicka, Maciej M. Sysło Curricula for subjects and ICT across curriculum Educational packages (textbooks for students, additional materials in electronic form) Teacher’s manuals Internet service: http://www.wsipnet.pl/kluby/informatyka.html

Primary school Middle school High school

Primary school High school Middle school

Primary school High school Middle school

Informatics in middle schools Continuing development of ICT skills obtained in primary school But also: - solving of simple problems, - examples of algorithmic strategies, - programming skills (Logo language)

Informatics in middle schools At the gymnasium level students are exposed to 2 hours a week of obligatory subject “computer science”, which is called in Poland “informatyka”. The curricula of this subject include the following issues: 1.     Computer in the human life. 2.     Work with the computer. 3.     Utility software (graphics editors, text editors, spreadsheets, databases). 4.     Multimedia sources of information. 5.     Algorithms. 6.     Simulation and modelling.

Informatics in high schools Distinction between ICT and informatics Informatics deals with „new product”: - defining problem and designing a solution: specification, choice of a method (algorithm) - computer implementation: using existing solutions or creating a new one - testing and evaluation of the solution

Qualification System in Poland (main rules) External examination after every stage of education - comparability of learning outcomes Results of these examinations - requirements for schools in the next stage in admitting candidates Results of the Matura examinations replace entrance examinations to universities Example: in university computer science department: number of points = max(P+R+I,P+2R) where P is result of basic level mathematics, R – advanced level mathematics, I – advanced level informatics examination

Informatics Matura Examination Examination standards cover basic concepts, methods and processes connected with informatics Two parts of the examination: – theory without computer – practice with computer Writing documentation in both cases Student’s work externally evaluated

Informatics Matura Examination (results & statistics) CKE May 2006 number of students: 3222 (~0,8 %) average result: 23,9% 35 students – 100% CKE May 2007 number of students: 2079 (~0,5 %) average result: 37% Informatics Olympiad

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