Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning Online
Exploring Computational Thinking with Microsoft Dream Space
Dive into the world of computational thinking with the guidance of the Microsoft Dream Space team. This course, delivered live online through two-day interactive workshops on Microsoft Teams, demystifies the process and aligns it with the Irish primary school curriculum. Discover the strategies employed by the Dream Space team to weave computational thinking into their educational programs.
The course unfolds over two days of real-time online engagement and three days of self-paced learning, equipping teachers with essential knowledge and skills to utilise a variety of digital tools effectively. It’s designed to foster computational thinking and inquiry-based learning across the curriculum, engaging participants in active observation, data collection, analysis, and drawing conclusions.
You will explore innovative ways to develop computational thinking skills and deepen your understanding of STEM. With a focus on innovative digital tools and resources, you’ll be ready to introduce the new STEM curriculum, empowering students to become curious learners and adept problem-solvers in our technological world.
Technical Requirements
All our courses require broadband Internet access and participants need to be familiar with using the internet, downloading and installing software.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to help teachers explore how they can use technology to create inquiry and project-based activities that can be used across the primary curriculum.
Participants will engage in hands-on activities using a range of digital tools and explore ways they can change their own practice to better support STEM learning.
Participants will understand how to apply the SSE guidelines and the Digital Learning Framework to their own teaching and understand how developing their own ICT practice can have an impact at school level.
Expected Outcomes
Participants will understand what is meant by STEM at primary level and be familiar with the STEM Policy Statement
Participants will learn how technology use can enhance opportunities to develop STEM (21st century) skills and assist in the creation challenging tasks that will motivate their students.
Course Duration
August 12-13 synchronous – 9.30 – 2.30 – Microsoft Teams
August 14-16 asynchronous – teachnet.ie
This is a blended course, 2 Days synchronous online in Microsoft Teams and the remainder (Approx 12 hours) of the course online at teachnet.ie. Participants are required to attend the Teams face-to-face workshops and engage meaningfully with online content for approximately 12 hours. Whilst participation and engagement with the course content will be primarily judged on the quality of their contributions, an attendance roll will be kept and a log of their time spent working online.
Face-to-face Synchronous Teams Workshops August 12-13
09:30-09:45 – Daily Intro and WALT
09:45-11:00- Activity One
11:00-11:20- Break
11:20- 1:00 – Activity Two
1:00-1:40- Lunch
1:40- 2:30 – Activity Three
Course Authors
Amanda Jolliffe is the Dream Space Lead at Microsoft Ireland. Since joining Microsoft in 2018, Amanda has driven the evolution of Dream Space along with its team of teachers to ensure that the educational programmes developed are delivering the greatest possible impact in the area of STEM education. Before joining Microsoft, Amanda worked as a post-primary school teacher of Physical Education, Biology and Science and was an assistant principal from 2016 leading the area of digital learning. Her interests include the role of education technology and STEM in promoting key skills and competencies, developing methods and programs that will improve diversity in STEM fields (gender, ethnicity, socio-economic backgrounds) and the holistic education of young people. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education (Physical Education and Biology); a professional diploma in Education Studies (Computational Thinking and Software Engineering) and has just completed a M.Ed. in Leadership.
Neeve Hyland is a qualified primary school teacher and a Dream Space Learning Specialist at Microsoft. In her role, she provides engaging STEAM experiences to students and teachers as part of Dream Space. Neeve has a particular interest in STEM education for early childhood and primary school students, actively collaborating with trainee teachers from various universities across Ireland to enhance STEM education practices and strategies. She is involved in developing curriculum-aligned content and fostering partnerships with universities. Neeve has worked on notable projects such as the web series “Dream Space TV: Crafting Creativity,” which promotes spatial thinking and computational skills among primary school students. Additionally, she is involved in the “Dream Space Ambassador Program,” a flagship Dream Space Student Leadership and training program designed for students who have a passion for learning and a willingness to support, train, and mentor other students and teachers by pioneering the Dream Space STEAM experience in their schools.
