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

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

3. 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

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

5. 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.

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

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

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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

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

19. Program content PROGRAM CONTENT Information Technology (16 hours)
The practical application of computers. Computer network. Use of the Internet-access to the www, .
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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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,…

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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.

26. Thank you for your attention!