Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) is leading the way in ICT education for teachers and educators with the announcement of a new Higher Diploma (HDip) in Science in Computing for Educators.
This unique course allows educators to engage with material that will provide learners with confidence and the technical skills required to deliver ICT in schools at all levels. The programme has been carefully designed to ensure that educators will be given the opportunity to gain proficiency and to derive tangible elements for their own classroom.
The HDip programme for educators is a ‘60 credit’ Level 8 course. The programme consists of six ‘10 credit’ certificates; four mandatory modules, and two elective modules that students can opt for during the programme.
Educators can take as many, or as few of the certificates available, but by completing all ’60 credits’ students can convert their certificates into the HDip in Science in Computing for Educators.
Many educators and teachers, from across Ireland and Northern Ireland, have completed some of the ’10 credit’ certificates in this programme, and a significant number of these students are now planning to return to complete the full ’60 credit’ Higher Diploma.
What’s unique about this programme is the flexibility; it has been designed to suit the ever-evolving ICT curriculum in education, and aims to support educators and teachers from the primary, post-primary and further education sectors.
Thomas Dowling, Head of Department of Computing at LYIT commented, “The increased emphasis of ICT in schools, and the recent introduction of Computer Science as a Leaving Certificate subject in pilot schools across the country, has encouraged LYIT’s Department of Computing to develop this programme.
“We have developed a programme that aims to satisfy the needs of educators in this changing educational landscape.
“To date, over one hundred teachers have completed a number of our ’10 Credit’ minor award certificates, with these individuals now having the opportunity to progress towards this major award Higher Diploma qualification.
“A significant number of teachers that have completed the ’10 credit’ Certificate in Coding for Teachers, and the ’10 credit’ Certificate in Coding Principles for Teachers, have had these Certificates recognised by the Teaching Council of Ireland. This has been a game changer for this programme and really validates the reputation and standard attributed to the certificate programmes.
“Over the next few years, it is expected that Computer Science will be rolled out as a Leaving Certificate subject nationwide, and we want to equip teachers and educators with a qualification that will meet this demand.”
Thomas further added, “As the only Institute of Technology currently offering a programme of this kind and level of flexibility, we are extremely proud to be leading the way in supporting teachers and educators that are keen to enhance their skill-set and qualifications in the areas of Computing and ICT. We have had enquiries to join this programme from as far away as Wexford, and as this programme is offered by blended learning, the flexibility to join this programme from outside Donegal is another added attraction to the new HDip programme.
“The feedback from graduates of the ‘10 Credit’ certificate programmes has been fantastic and we will be hosting an Information Event on the Higher Diploma in Science in Computing for Educators at the Letterkenny Campus from 6-7.30pm on Wednesday 5 September. A number of teachers and educators that completed the Certificate programmes will be in attendance at this event and Course Co-Ordinator Dr. Nigel McKelvey will also be on hand to answer queries in relation to this exciting new offering from LYIT.”
For more information on the Higher Diploma in Science in Computing for Educators, or for more information on the upcoming Information Event visit;
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