Presented by: Miriam Walsh & Michael O'Kane
Swift is a powerful and intuitive programming language created by Apple for developing apps. It makes programming easier, more flexible and more fun. Swift is not only great for getting you started with coding, it’s also really powerful. For first-time coders, there’s Swift Playgrounds, a new iPad app that makes getting started with coding fun and interactive. An accompanying Teacher Guide helps teachers bring Swift Playgrounds into 6th class primary or Junior Cycle. Swift Playgrounds is available for free now on the App Store, and the Teacher Guide is also available for free now on the iBooks Store. Miriam and Michael will guide us through the resources available to Irish teachers of all abilities to start using Swift Playgrounds in their classroom. An iPad with Swift Playgrounds will be available for attendees to explore and follow proceedings. (please feel free to bring your own iPad as well).
Presenter Biography:
Miriam is a Further Education teacher interested in emerging technologies and accessible learning. Blogger, author and e-learning course creator. Apple Distinguished Educator and ADE Advisory Board for EMEIA. Creator of The EdTech Portal a platform which features free learning resources for educators and also involved in the set-up of Apple RTC Cork.
Michael is the Lead Coding Curriculum Architect with iTeach and an Apple Education Trainer. After being a Primary School teacher for 9 years, Michael has been the architect of the iCode initiative that has been adopted by thousands of schools around the world. iCode aims to empower teachers with knowledge, skills and resources to develop coding and computer science in schools from Key Stage 1-5 (ages 5 – 18).