Celebrating digital skills in Welsh teaching

The NDLE brings together educators from across Wales to identify and share examples of good digital practice currently taking place in schools and colleges across Wales.

Changes to the Welsh curriculum mean digital skills are now developed and taught through all parts of a pupil’s schooling and not just isolated to specific ICT or computer science classes.

The Cabinet Secretary said this new approach means more than just using computers and she wants to equip pupils with the digital skills necessary to succeed in the modern world.

Kirsty Williams said, “I am determined to support learners in Wales so that not only are they competent users of technology, but that they become creative authors of technology also.

“I am clear we need to help both teachers and learners develop the skills and confidence to navigate this new world and make good use of the opportunities it provides.

“I am delighted to be here to celebrate the work of our finest practitioners and hope we can all learn something from the very best and brightest in our profession.”

The theme for NDLE 2017 is ‘Creative approaches to implementing the Digital Competence Framework’ building on the introduction of the Digital Competence Framework on 21 September 2016.

The Digital Competence Framework (DCF) was developed by Pioneer schools supported by external expertise and Welsh Government staff. At the beginning of this school year, the Digital Competence Framework was made available to schools in Wales, and this is the first element of the new curriculum to be introduced in Wales. 

The Cabinet Secretary was keen to praise the work of all schools in integrating the DCF and explained how her office had been inundated with positive comments, from the UK and around the world, about Wales’ commitment to and ambition for digital skills

This year’s National Digital Learning Awards recognises the best digital practice in four categories, and the winners for each of those categories were as follows:

• Digital Project Award – awarded jointly to Year 2 pupils at Cadoxton Primary School, Barry for their project ‘Challenging Pioneers’, and Ysgol Bro Banw, Ammanford, for their project ‘The Superheroes’.
• Online Safety Award – also Ysgol Bro Banw, for their project Developing Digital Competence through flip teaching.
• Hwb Community Resource Award – Alexandra Roe from Coedcae School, Llanelli, for the WJEC RS Judaism Playlist.
• National Digital Learning Council’s Pupil Award – Phillipstown Primary in New Tredegar, for Techno Tribe Teaches.