WSU TRAINS FUTURE TEACHERS IN CODING AND ROBOTICS FOR THE FOUNDATION PHASE

The Department of Initial Primary Teacher Education (IPTE) at Komani Campus recently hosted a two-day Coding and Robotics Workshop for Level 4 students at the Masibulele Site, in partnership with the Department of Education.

The training equipped future teachers with foundational digital skills and practical knowledge to integrate Coding and Robotics into the primary school curriculum.

The Foundation Phase Mathematics Subject Advisor in the Department of Education, Nomandlovu Mdingi, said the training would help strengthen teachers’ confidence in delivering the necessary skills that will ensure learners in rural and township schools are not left behind as South Africa moves toward a fully integrated 4IR curriculum.

“Because today’s children are an Alpha generation, naturally tech-aware and digitally wired, this training equips teachers to guide them in using that knowledge purposefully and wisely,” Mdingi said.

She added, “Coding and robotics are practical and closely linked to mathematics, and young learners grasp concepts better when they learn by doing. With these skills, teachers can develop true problem-solvers from the foundation phase.”

Through the workshop, student teachers were introduced to the fundamentals of coding and robotics, including step-by-step instructions for solving problems, sequencing, and conditional decision-making, among others.

“At the workshop, I worked with an excellent group of teachers who were eager to learn,” Mdingi said.

“They now understand how to apply the CAPS document when preparing lessons and how to introduce coding and robotics through problem-solving. I made sure they grasped computational thinking and the importance of starting each lesson with a clear problem statement, supported by the competencies outlined in the ATP.”

Reflecting on the experience, Bachelor of Education final year student, Yolanda Mhlonyane said, “One key takeaway from the training is that hands-on learning is essential. We’re preparing to teach a generation that is already deeply exposed to technology, so we need to grow with them and adapt as the world evolves.”

The program was introduced to WSU’s Faculty of Education in 2022 in response to the Department of Basic Education’s directive to teach coding and robotics from Grade R to 9.

By Ongezwa Sigodi