Abstract
The introduction of the Coding and Robotics CAPS curriculum by the South African
Department of Basic Education represents a significant shift in the national educational
landscape; however, its successful implementation is threatened by a critical shortage of
trained educators. Consequently, this minor dissertation investigates the design requirements
for an effective online course to prepare qualified Intermediate Phase teachers to teach this
new subject.
Adopting a pragmatic paradigm and a Design-Based Research (DBR) framework, the study
focuses on the initial analysis and design phases of course creation. Data were collected
through a generic qualitative inquiry, utilising semi-structured interviews with nine
participants. A comprehensive analysis of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement
(CAPS) was undertaken through the lens of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge
(TPACK) framework to determine the necessary content and technical competencies.
The findings reveal that an effective professional development course for this context must
move beyond both content and technical knowledge to include pedagogical content
knowledge as outlined in the curriculum. Participants emphasised the necessity of a
bichronous learning model blending asynchronous "chunked" content with mandatory weekly
synchronous sessions to foster a community of practice. Key design requirements identified
include a six-week duration, the provision of physical hardware kits to facilitate remote
robotics training, and the inclusion of practical, authentic assessments that result in tangible
classroom resources, such as lesson plans and portfolios.
The study concludes with the presentation of a detailed Requirements Specification and
Design Specification for an instructor-led online course. This proposed design addresses
specific barriers, such as technical anxiety and resource constraints, by incorporating robust
learner support and accessible content delivery, ultimately empowering teachers to
implement the Coding and Robotics curriculum with confidence.