Computer Course To Precede Teaching

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32396, 8 September 1970, Page 12

Computer Course To Precede Teaching

The first national course for secondaryschool teachers related to the introduction of instruction m elementary data processing and computer programming in State and private secondary schools next year, began yesterday at the Christchurch Technical Institute.

More than 30 science and mathematics teachers are attending the course organised by the head of the Technical Institutes School of Science and Technology (Mr J. D. A. Hercus). The introduction of computer courses in Canterbury secondary schools will receive a boost next year with the opening of the Technical Institutes’ on-line link with the Government computer centre in Wellington. A meeting has been called] by the institute to determine what time will be available on the link for Christchurch State and private secondary

schools, which will need such facilities to give the new courses relevance. “The situation should not be too bad here,’’ Mr Hercus said. “In country areas and Dunedin such facilities will be available only through buying time from computers run by private industry. “Schools in the areas of the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch institutes should be catered for adequately.” It is believed that the Department of Education is to make special finance available to schools which must make use of computers in private industry.