In the long term, we aim to develop Nordic approach for integrating CT in K-12 education. In Nordicand Baltic countries, despite unique cultural highlights in regions, in general we share fundamental culture and attitude, such as democracy and empowerment, which are seen also in school curriculum.
In order to develop pupils' competences to deal with rapid development of digital technologies, includingAI, autonomous transportation and cyber security, it is essential to build suitable approach to integrateCT into school curriculum which effectively works in Nordic and Baltic countries' education model. Inorder to achieve the long term aim, interdisciplinary and intercultural collaboration among Nordic andBaltic countries is crucial.
This project is a starting point to build firm network for further collaboration.The project aims to build common understanding towards CT by sharing perspectives from different fields, such as educational sciences and computer science, and conceptual and practical views from different sectors, such as universities and schools. Through this project we widen our thinking towards CT considering how to include advanced digital technologies in CT and integrate holistic views of CT into Nordic and Baltic countries' school curriculum.
We build shared understanding of CT in K-12 education and assessment of CT among the participating institutions. CT in K-12 education and assessment of CT have been intensively discussed in scientific community, yet researchers have not reached definitive consensus. Such situation has given challenges for schools to integrate CT into school curriculum. In order to design the assessment tool, we need both conceptual understanding of CT from different fields (e.g., information technologies, computer sciences, education) and practical understanding considering schools' culture and principles, as well as understanding of Nordic and Baltic countries' education model and school curriculum. Thus we need both universities and schools as partner institutions for the project.
Through this project, we are enhancing professional development of teachers who are interested in applying CT and maker education into the classrooms.
Currently school teachers' understanding of CT and competences to apply CT in teaching and learning is still limited. In this project, we invite teachers from partner schools as "ambassador teachers" to develop their understanding and practical means to design and implement teaching and learning which highlights the concepts, practices and perspectives of CT.
We develop networks which are necessary to proceed the project and achieve the long term goal. One of the important network which we aim to develop is a network of universities in Nordic and Baltic countries who are interested in integrating CT into K-12 education. The network is essential to collaborate towards the further goal: developing Nordic approach to integrate CT into school curriculum. Another network we aim to create is local network consists of local institutions which provide practical contexts for implementation for integrating CT into education,such as schools, a university, makerspaces and local administrations. Collaboration among local institutions are necessary as schools need support, in terms of resources, expertise and contexts.
As concrete outcomes of the project, we design and test a versatile assessment tool for CT which can be used in various cases beyond different conditions (e.g., curriculum, activity, pupils’ grade level andinterests). Such tool supports K-12 schools in effectively integrating CT into the curriculum