Teacher training

I recently met two CAT teachers. One has a B.Sc in Computer Science and the other has a degree in Information Systems. Have they attended any CAT training? – No, they could not attend CAT3 as they had not attended CAT1 or CAT2 training. Can they do an ACE course to become a CAT teacher? – No, because they are not qualified teachers. Do they need to study the philosophy, methods, rationale, etc. of CAT? – Yes, but where? The system seems to block those who want to increase their knowledge of the subject field. They first have to do a teaching qualification, and can then study to become a CAT teacher – at least another 4 years part time study.

Even if one was a qualified teacher, e.g. typing teacher, where could one qualify to become a CAT teacher – who knows – ACE CAT courses are offered at very few institutions. And is UNISA offering a course in CAT? – Not really, I am informed they are not sure of the difference between CAT and IT.

I wonder if there has been an investigation into how many people teaching Computer Studies or CAT or IT are qualified ‘computer’ teachers and qualified ‘teachers’. During the CAT training in 2005 more than half of our group of computer teachers were not qualified teachers, but computer graduates who had come to teaching from industry. I wonder how many other people currently teaching CAT are unqualified teachers who cannot get CAT training because the system will not permit it.

I think there needs to be a rethink into teacher training in this subject. Do people want to study to become CAT teachers? – Many do, but where and how?