CS_LINC - Bridging the gap to Formal Computer Science Education
Year Awarded
2021
Amount
€244,631
- Organisation:Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)
- Co-funded with Dept of Education:Yes
- Format:Non-formal Education
- Location:Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow
- Topic:Technology
Project Summary
CS_LINC will provide formal Computer Science (CS) curricula through equitable online modules, that provides long term exposure to CS. Teachers can deliver modules synchronously, asynchronously, virtually, blended or face-to-face. This project will promote and increase the capacity and sustainability for access into the Leaving Certificate Computer Science subject at second-level, where currently there is a void for Transition Year (TY) CS curricula, as identified by the Department of Education and Skills framework. In addition, this project aims to support Youth Reach (YR) students and their teachers, where these vulnerable youths would otherwise not have access to formal CS education.
CS_LINC is an online student learning environment for Computer Science consisting of several modules built upon international best practices with varying collaborators which are tailored to Irish second-level students. This will also include automated assessment where students, on successful completion, will receive certification. In addition a suite of accompanying teacher supports including in person Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and resources will be provided to build teacher capacity and self-efficacy for the delivery of the modules. Following this in year two, CS_LINC will fully automate the administration process to allow for scalability with minimal human input. For sustainability in teacher CPD, the sessions will migrate to being online and accessible anytime for current or new teachers taking the modules, so that once the proposed project is complete, CS_LINC can continue to sustain and support TY/YR students for CS after the project concludes.