Page 45 - 2020 CXC Annual Report

World Class Exams – Syllabus Development

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE )
®

Prensky (2006), recommends that our education must respond to the STEM area standards (National Science Standards,
to the change in the characteristics of our twenty-first century Technological Literacy Standards) and the International
learners, the changing times as well as the changes in the Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA)
tools, and the requisite skills and knowledge features of our Standards for Technological Literacy.
twenty-first century landscape. He highlights the importance of
a proactive response of policy makers and persons entrusted The Aims are also guided by the International Society for
with the stewardship of the education of twenty-first century Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards for learners
learners. developed by UNESCO and its partners. The other elements
of the syllabus as well as the approaches for teaching learning
Singh (2019) posits that these twenty-first century learners and assessment will be guided by current research in the
require a more innovative and practical learning environment, field including the philosophical, psychological and political
one which generates interest and engagement for learners underpinnings which guide syllabus development.
and can be advanced through exposure to a course in Artificial
Intelligence, as both a tool for learning and an avenue for The Concept Paper was submitted to the April 2020
solving problems. This exposure will provide learners with meeting of SUBSEC requesting approval to proceed with
more efficient technological education, and will raise interest in the development of the syllabus. The request was approved.
the sciences, programming, artificial intelligence and robotics A Working Committee has been developed and work will
among students. commence on the syllabus as soon as relevant supporting
decisions are determined.
The Council’s current offerings at the CAPE®, CSEC®
and CCSLC® levels which focus on technology, includes ROBOTICS
Information Technology (IT), Computer Science, and Digital At its meeting held in April 2020, SUBSEC received the
Media, Animation and Game Design and Digital Literacy. In Concept Paper for the Development of the CAPE® Robotics
response to market needs, it is felt that a syllabus in Artificial Syllabus. The proposal to develop the syllabus is informed by
Intelligence will contribute to preparing learners for further considerations such as:
study at the tertiary level as well as provide a foundation for
vocational training and to thrive in an increasingly technology- (a) The expansion in the deployment and use of autonomous
driven world. Additionally, the subject is not offered at the and remotely operated systems globally and the potential
secondary level. financial impact on the core functions of all industries.

The Aims and General Objectives are informed by the (b) The need to align CXC®’s product offerings with the
guidelines of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial dynamic demands of society and in keeping with the
Intelligence (AAAI) founded in 1976. It promotes research and Social Reconstruction Relevance conception of curriculum
responsible use of artificial intelligence, and aims to improve development. This supports the creation of a connection
teaching and training of AI professionals. They are aligned between what is taught in schools and the demands of a
dynamic society.

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