A group of South-East Queensland high school teachers will be immersed in the latest computer technology when they attend a three-day professional learning program hosted by Griffith University and sponsored by Google.
The Google Computer Science for High Schools program begins today (October 2) at the Gold Coast campus and will involve 28 teachers in workshops, seminars and discussions focusing on robotics and other emerging technologies.
“The aim of the program is to enhance teacher confidence, knowledge and skills which then can be used to engage, challenge and inspire their secondary students,” says Dr Jun Jo, of Griffith’s School of Information and Communication Technology.
“Teachers will take away a programmable robot and the resources needed to support the integration of new knowledge and skills into their teaching practice.
“They will also be armed with strategies for students to participate in regional, state, national and international competitions.”
The Years 8-12 teachers will work with academics from The Griffith Robotics Lab who have been conducting research and developing cutting-edge technologies including drones and autonomous vehicles.
As well as demonstrations of this technology, teachers will learn the basics of robotics, programming for microcontrollers, how to use sensors and motors for robots and what is required to build an “intelligent building”.