Using images as a stimulus to explore the identity of student teachers in computing

Abstract

The computing curriculum in English secondary education is now officially in its second year of implementation. A new, specialist group of student teachers are being trained to be able to deliver the new, rigorous computing curriculum. In this emerging curriculum area, it is essential teachers explore their own identity, beliefs and values in order to deliver effectively and ensure enjoyment for both themselves and the pupils they teach. In this study, the student teachers engage with images and place them in a hierarchy to stimulate honest discussion and exploration of computing teacher identity. Whilst the student teachers resonate with approaches in the classroom, such as group work, engagement with the computing curriculum topics themselves are limited and show an area which may require more attention and challenge in the computing teacher training programme.