Computational thinking and coding – literacy of the future Erasmus Project

Project Title

Computational thinking and coding – literacy of the future

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Labour market issues incl. career guidance / youth unemployment; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

The project ‘Computational thinking and coding – literacy of the future’ aims to increase practical digital skills of students and equip teachers with innovative and effective teaching methods to support STEM education.The project views computational thinking and coding issues as the basis for future education, lifelong learning and future jobs. Computational thinking and coding knowledge of students is too theoretical and teachers lack innovative and effective teaching methods. Students are lacking in their skills of effective use of ICT, development of ideas and technology as a tool for creation while teachers lack competence in teaching computational thinking and coding subjects. The project’s objective is to foster innovative, out-of-the-box thinking, appealing to young minds who are more and more demanding and not interested in traditional methods used at schools and to equip teachers with innovative teaching tools.The project is innovative because it will introduce and test out innovative methods of teaching STEM subjects, computational thinking and coding skills (innovative multidisciplinary approach aiming at interconnection between scientific knowledge and coding skills in preventing/solving everyday problems). It will make use of the newest technological innovations and tools to develop and improve digital skills and ICT understanding. It will emphasize Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and collaborative problem solving as effective tools for creative thinking. The target groups are young teenagers (12-15), for whom digital skills education intermingled with STEM courses is something new and unavailable within the regular school curricula, and Science, English and IT teachers who will learn how to put this idea into practice (at least 150 students and 30 teachers). Project partners will closely cooperate with local companies and specialists to make the interconnection between STEM and entrepreneurial education most effective. In technology-oriented world, engaging students in designing simple devices, using videos involving peer teaching and using technological innovations will stimulate their minds to perceive environmental issues more practically and attractively. Project activities will be a grassroot initiative triggering off new approaches and changes in scientific curriculum to make it more practical and efficient.
The activities will take place at local, regional and international levels. Workshops for teachers on how to teach multidisciplinary digital skills (including online ones), workshops for students using activating methods of teaching/learning and studies realized during mobilities will foster innovative approach to promote computational thinking and coding in countries with different economic and cultural background, and with diverse development and using ICT. Cooperation with local institutions, educational centres and companies will enhance the participants’ practical skills and become the basis for future cooperation in the field of creating new values with coding, creating software, creating robots etc. and changing the world.LTT activities will make it easier for the target groups to exchange ideas and practical experience, especially since some partners in the project can offer facilities and equipment unavailable to others (3D print, Arduino, Ergobot, Raspberry PI, Ozobot, micro:bit, Codey Rocky). Partners on the project face different problems, their experience in teaching coding varies a lot, thus international exchange of good practices is the key to success.Tangible results of the project (e.g. innovative lesson plans, video tutorials, software and robotics work) will be disseminated at local, regional and European levels to make sure our ideas are available to everyone. A multimedia teaching aid base will be available to all partners and anyone interested in practical computational thinking and coding education. Erasmus+ Project Results Platform will help show the outcomes of the project, sharing good practice and experience within schools, communities and regions, allowing others to learn from it. The project will bring longer term benefits. Activities promoting practical computational thinking and coding skills will be part of school curricula and cooperation with local institutions will be continued. Project online groups will still be active creating background for further discussions and future cooperation. Students will become familiar with culture and natural heritage of other countries and break down barriers and prejudices between nations. They will improve linguistic skills, which will facilitate creating new EU program projects in the field of education through exchange of good practices. All participants will learn that despite cultural diversities we all have the same goal as responsible European citizens. All the project participants will get the knowledge and skills, power to become creators, to bring changes to the world. Bringing ideas to life with coding!

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 162276 Eur

Project Coordinator

l. osnovna skola Cakovec & Country: HR

Project Partners

• AKÇANSA FATIH SULTAN MEHMET ORTAOKULU
• Agrupamento de Escolas de Vale de Ovil
• Agrupamento de Escolas de Mangualde
• GENIKO LYKEIO ALIKIANOU