Developing the new Curriculum for Wales: Case Study. Bryn Elian School ... provide learners with the confidence to use t
Developing the new Curriculum for Wales: Case Study
Bryn Elian School
Bryn Elian School is a medium-sized comprehensive school in Colwyn Bay, Conwy, and is one of the Welsh Government’s Pioneer Schools, helping to develop the newly launched Digital Competency Framework (DCF). Here Allen Heard shares his experiences of working with the DCF so far. Why do you think the Digital Competence Framework (DCF) is important?
What have been the advantages in working with partners in developing the Framework?
As an ICT teacher, I have always tried to ensure that digital skills were integrated into other subjects across the curriculum, so the introduction of the Framework is a breath of fresh air and really supports my key beliefs as a teacher. It’s also an integral part of the new Curriculum for Wales which underlines the importance for pupils to develop digital skills across a wide range of subjects and scenarios. The Framework aims to provide learners with the confidence to use technologies and systems safely and creatively which is significant for the future of education in Wales.
We started with a blank sheet of paper, which was quite daunting in itself but it did emphasise the Welsh Government’s trust in us as day to day practitioners to deliver a framework that would be relevant and beneficial to the students as well as the teachers. There were certainly disagreements from time to time as we worked through the possible options but what that has given us is the confidence that the end product is the best it can be. That is not to say however it won’t change – technology in its essence is ever changing and we need to be flexible enough to respond to that.
How is it being developed in your school?
How do you see the framework benefitting the pupils and yourselves as teachers?
Here at Bryn Elian, we are experimenting with certain elements and introducing them little by little to see what works. Teachers feel pressurised enough as it is so we wanted to introduce this Framework in a way that they felt could be incorporated naturally in what they already do. For example the citizenship elements – we felt they fit well with PSE so we began exploring how they could be introduced to support that learning strand. The strength of the Framework is its flexibility and versatility.
As a Pioneer School what would be your top tips for other schools as to how to implement it and integrate it into the curriculum? As the framework is being made available now rather than being rigorously enforced, I would encourage schools to take their time, consider how it can work for them and this will ensure a smooth transition as it’s integrated into the curriculum. This, I believe, will provide better results in the longer term.
For the students the Framework will help them understand the context of technology i.e. how to use it appropriately and be aware of any potential dangers – that is why citizenship and e-safety rightly have such prominence. For us teachers, there is great potential for the Framework to be a catalyst for improved learning in the future, helping us identify skills and improve the way we teach our subjects across the board. www.gov.wales/curriculumforwales #curriculumforwales #digitalcompetence
