Design, implementation and evaluation of a computer science teacher training programme for learning and teaching of python inside and outside school: Establishing and supporting code clubs to learn computer programming by self-contained examples

Abstract

We present the design, implementation and evaluation of a training programme for Computer Science teachers on the educational use of the Python programming language inside and outside school. The programme used educational resources centered on meaningful, self-contained programming projects. The training programme followed a blended-learning approach thus offering an opportunity to many computer science teachers make their first steps towards the educational use of the Python language within a very promising learner-centered pedagogical framework. Using initially an online course made it possible to reach a much greater number of Computer Science teachers, especially those living in remote areas and through them, have a considerable impact on students through the subsequent establishment of local code clubs. The synchronous interaction with the course facilitators during the monthly sessions, the forming of local groups and the systematic communication through the learning platform used, made it possible to alleviate many of the disadvantages usually linked with online courses as it is evident from the evaluation results.