Ontario to modernize highschool laptop and tech applications

Ontario’s highschool laptop and tech research are getting a reboot.

Schooling Minister Stephen Lecce introduced the brand new and revamped curriculum — the primary in additional than a decade — Monday afternoon, saying a brand new Grade 10 course in laptop research can be launched subsequent fall, in addition to the overhaul of technological training beginning in Grade 9 in 2024.

“Job creators and innovators have been very clear,” Lecce mentioned. “What we train our kids should be leading edge. It should mirror the altering market and it should emphasis real-life software and life and job abilities … We need to assist produce the subsequent era of made in Ontario and made in Canada expertise that’s analysis, examined and finally manufactured proper right here on this province, in our nation.”

He famous the present Grade 10 introduction to laptop research was final up to date in 2008, earlier than widespread use of smartphones or automated automobiles and synthetic intelligence. It will likely be changed with a course entitled “digital expertise within the altering world.”

Tech research — which have been final revised in 2009 — will embody automation and its use in manufacturing and building, amongst different industries, in all secondary grades.

That is “one other step by our authorities to make sure college students are ready for the roles of the long run,” Lecce additionally mentioned. “This transformation will present college students with hands-on expertise with expertise, expose them to real-life drawback fixing, and improve studying that focuses on giving younger individuals the abilities to assume critically, dream boldly and chart new pathways ahead for our economic system.”

The province additionally lately introduced virtually $5 million to assist develop the twin credit score program that enables highschool college students to earn post-secondary credit earlier than they graduate, and has begun higher promotion of the trades beginning in Grade 4 — nicely earlier than youngsters determine on what future paths they could be serious about.

The province estimates there have been 17,865 jobs that went unfilled in laptop and knowledge methods within the second quarter of this 12 months, and says by 2026, one-fifth of all job openings can be within the expert trades.

Earlier this 12 months, the province introduced a model new science and expertise curriculum for elementary college students, educating them coding and synthetic intelligence.

SHARE: