Training : Training

There is a range of training programmes offered for teachers through the Electronics in Schools Strategy (EISS) ranging from twilight update courses, to the full four day training programme. 

Detailed below is information about the four day programme.  If you would like to find out more about shorter courses available in your area, please visit the hub section of this site.

Why undertake the four day training programme?
Information and communications technology dominates many aspects of most of our lives. It plays a significant role in business, industry and in education.  Whilst no one doubts the growing influence of ICT in the world, the basic skills which underpin these emerging technologies - electronics and communications technology, are being taught in very few secondary schools and technology colleges.

The aim of the EISS is to address the need to interest and educate significantly higher numbers of young people in ECT.  By participating in this teacher training programme teachers will be raising students awareness of the technologies in their world and helping them to understand them.  In addition it will help address what the DfES/DTI studies show to be one of the largest areas of skill shortage in the UK.

What are the key objectives of the EISS?

• to improve the quality of teaching and learning in electronics, control and communications technology in secondary schools.
• to increase the number of students studying electronics and communications technology in schools at both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 and hence into post-16 courses.
• to improve the quantity and quality of applications into higher education courses where electronics, control and communications technology form a major part of their courses of study.

How much will it cost?
Due to generous funding from the IET, and continued support from the DfES, the training programmes are currently run free of charge.  In addition there is a generous contribution towards supply cover plus a grant towards resources (provided the headteacher confirms their commitment to either introducing or continuing to teach electronics at the school).

Who can take part in the courses?
The teacher training course is open to any serving teacher with an interest in teaching electronics, who can seek approval from the schools senior management to either continue to teach electronics or to plan to offer a course in electronics within the following 12 months.

The courses are also available for trainee teachers.

Course structure
Teachers can follow two basic routes through the four modules.  These routes, are called 'Starting out in electronics' and 'Taking electronics further'.

The 'Starting out in electronics' route is designed for those teachers who have never taught electronics but wish to introduce it into the KS3 curriculum.  The 'Taking electronics further' route is for those teachers who have some electronics experience but wish to extend their knowledge and understanding and develop their designing and making skills in this area.  Whichever route is followed, the emphasis is on being able to take an activity away from the course that can be readily transferred into the classroom together with the necessary materials and resources for immediate classroom use.

The four-day training package is the preferred model (route 1 or route 2) but there could be an option for teachers to opt to do either days 1 and 2 and/or 3 & 4 and still receive ECT accreditation provided they could prove they met all of the desired competencies.

Course assignments and Accreditation
The assignments are the routes through which teachers will be able to demonstrate their confidence and competence when working in the area of electronics, control and communications technology. They are an integral part of the teacher CPD routes and are woven into the structure of this website.

On successful completion of the assignments the teacher will have shown that they have met a range of competencies which represent the knowledge, skills and understanding required, and will become a fully accredited ECT Teacher and the school an ECT School.  The competencies will cover a wide range of areas of work and will become part of a teacher's continuing professional development portfolio.

The training outcomes are accredited by the D&T Association with a certificate of competence in ECT endorsed by the DfES, DTI, IET and TEP. 

Full course details plus further information about the structure of the course are available to download.

• Find out about courses currently available
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