EPFL provides over 350 local teachers with computer science training

During the 2018-2019 school year, teaching staff from ten pilot schools learned how to teach computer science and computational thinking to pupils aged 4-8 years, with a strong focus on unplugged activities. Last year, EPFL's Center for Learning Sciences (LEARN) launched an ambitious pilot project. The idea was to teach computer science and computational thinking skills to over 350 generalist elementary teachers - 98% of whom were women - and to inspire them to pass on their new-found knowledge to pupils despite resistance to technology in the classroom. LEARN, which coordinates Vaud Canton's lifelong digital skills program in conjunction with the Vaud University of Teacher Education (HEP), the Vaud Department of Education, Youth and Culture (DFJC) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL), has recently reviewed the initiative - and the results are in. Teachers from ten pilot schools selected by Vaud Canton completed 24 hours of training over four days: three at their school and the fourth and final day at EPFL. The course was largely team-taught by two trainers: a teacher familiar with the local educational system and an academically trained scientist. As part of the packed program, the teachers were introduced to concepts including algorithms, coding, educational robotics and computational thinking.