Enhancing Technology Education for Primary and Middle School Teachers
As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen STEM education across Europe, we are currently conducting a professional development series in technology for primary and middle school teachers in Sweden. This initiative builds upon insights gained from the ICSE Academy project and is a collaborative effort between Jönköping University and Upptech.
Throughout the semester, the teachers meet three times to engage in both hands-on activities and pedagogical discussions. Between sessions, they implement and refine technology lessons in their own classrooms while also shadowing one another to exchange inspiration and best practices. This structure fosters a dynamic learning environment where teachers can explore new methodologies, gain confidence in their technology instruction, and develop a professional network that encourages continued collaboration.
By integrating job-shadowing and practical application into this professional development series, we aim to create a sustainable model that supports teachers in delivering high-quality technology education. Furthermore, connecting educators with local resource centers ensures they have access to ongoing support and expertise.
This initiative exemplifies how international collaboration, and shared experiences can enhance STEM education, ultimately contributing to a more cohesive and equitable teacher education landscape across Europe.
Transferring a job-shadowing activity
One of the professional development activities in the ICSE Academy project is the job-shadowing activity. In November 2023 I, Eva-Lena Jonsson at Jönköping University, Sweden, was invited to a lecture about Micro:bit coding at Trondheim University in Norway. Then I transferred it to my own teaching. After some adjustments it is possible to hold a similar lesson in another European country. This makes Europe a bit “smaller” and provides a possibility for a more equal teacher education in STEM subjects in Europe.
