PIONEERING COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION IN AUSTRIA: A PRACTICAL REPORT ON CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
C. Hörmann, L. Kuka, M. Unterweger, B. Sabitzer
The evolution of secondary education in Austria, marked by the mandatory integration of the subject of Digital Education in 2022, necessitates a novel approach to the Computer Science curriculum at the upper secondary level. This paper delves into formulating a new curriculum draft, highlighting the seamless incorporation of Digital Education, summarizing encountered obstacles, and outlining adopted solutions, like the selection of educational taxonomies. Findings underscore the importance of a flexible framework to adapt to swift technological changes and the strategic application of Bloom's Taxonomy to integrate digital tools and pedagogies. The updated curriculum focuses on ten central topics designed to equip students with essential competencies. Challenges such as teacher preparedness for innovative pedagogies and fair technology access are balanced by opportunities to enhance learning engagement, promote cross-disciplinary projects, and prepare students for future careers. This curriculum draft marks a pivotal step in updating Austria's educational landscape to align with digital advancements, offering insights for global educational reform initiatives.
Keywords: Computer Science Curriculum, Educational Taxonomy, Curriculum Development, Secondary Education.