Teaching Computing (FutureLearn)

Teaching Computing (FutureLearn)

A free online course for primary and secondary school teachers who are tackling the Computing curriculum in England. This free online course aims to help teachers in primary and secondary schools, especially those who previously taught other subjects including ICT. It was originally created by UEA with sponsorship from Computing at School (CAS) and BT. CAS have asked the National STEM Learning Centre to host a fourth run of this successful course.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Get the latest information, to teach great Computing lessons
With a mixture of subject knowledge and pedagogical advice, the course is aimed at both subject specialists and primary teaching non-specialists.
Expert Master Teachers from Computing at School have helped to design it, to make sure you have the latest information to take into your classroom and teach great Computing lessons.

Understand the new Computing curriculum and how to deliver it
Computing encompasses many of the skills that used to be taught under the old subject, ICT, but the new curriculum is also enhanced with computer science skills, as well as digital literacy, digital citizenship and digital scholarship.
Over six weeks, you’ll develop the skills you need to teach the new curriculum, getting both subject knowledge guidance, as well as advice about planning, teaching and assessing pupil learning.
The course will link to materials in the BBC Make It Digital initiative, enabling teachers to include these exciting new materials in their teaching.
At the end, you’ll also consider what’s next, with advice on subject leadership and developing a computing policy for your school.
Throughout, you will have the chance to work with other teachers and experts in a flexible, self-paced learning environment.

What topics will you cover?

Week 1: Introduction to the computing curriculum
The computing curriculum
Talking about computing

Week 2: Learning and teaching in computing
What happens in computing lessons?
Pupil learning in action
Teaching computing in action
What have you got planned?

Week 3: Subject knowledge
Subject knowledge - computer science
Subject knowledge - digital literacy and ICT

Week 4: Assessing pupil learning
The practical issues of assessment
Grading pupil work
Expectations of computing

Week 5: Digital citizenship & scholarship
The internet
Digital Citizens and Scholars
E-safety

Week 6: Next steps in teaching computing
Subject leadership and whole school issues in computing
Peer review activity

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Critical Thinking at University: An Introduction (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Critical Thinking at University: An Introduction (FutureLearn)

Critical thinking is a vital skill for university study whatever your discipline. Prepare for university now. Make sure you have the critical thinking skills required for university. Critical thinking is a vital skill at university and later in life. University study introduces you to new concepts, ways of learning and requires you to think critically. You need to know how to question information sources and how to evaluate different arguments.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Preparing for a PGCE (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The University of Warwick

Preparing for a PGCE (FutureLearn)

Introduce yourself to the PGCE programme and learn what the rewarding life of a teacher looks like. Get a headstart in the world of teaching with this introductory course. The PGCE is a postgraduate certificate in education that proves your credentials as a teacher in England, and can also allow you to teach abroad.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Getting Started with Teaching Data Science in Schools (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Glasgow

Getting Started with Teaching Data Science in Schools (FutureLearn)

Learn the basics of data science and how to introduce data science in the classroom. Learn practical ways to teach data science. Understanding how to use and interpret data will be essential for the next generation, but many schools and teachers aren’t equipped to teach basic data science to students. This course will help you introduce data science in the classroom so that your students are prepared for the future.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
Dangerous Questions: Why Academic Freedom Matters (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Oslo,Scholars at Risk

Dangerous Questions: Why Academic Freedom Matters (FutureLearn)

Explore the meaning of academic freedom and how it relates to core higher education and societal values. Challenge the limits to critical inquiry. Academic freedom is a fundamental value in modern higher education and research. On this course, you’ll find out how we can use academic freedom to ask critical questions and contribute to a democratic society.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
Teaching Entrepreneurial Thinking (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Queensland University of Technology

Teaching Entrepreneurial Thinking (FutureLearn)

Get an introduction to what entrepreneurial thinking is, and how and why we should teach it. We live in an uncertain and complex world, where the big problems of today and tomorrow are yet to be identified. Teaching young people the skills and resilience to live and thrive in such a world is the purpose of entrepreneurial thinking. This course will introduce you to what entrepreneurial thinking is, and why it’s an important skill for young people to learn.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Innovative Teaching: Engaging Adult Learners with Active Learning (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Padova

Innovative Teaching: Engaging Adult Learners with Active Learning (FutureLearn)

Discover the power of active participation in adult learning, encouraging teamwork and collaboration among students. Explore the power of teaching and how interactive learning can aid the classroom. Active learning is the leading innovative teaching approach in education today. It encourages teachers to foster a more student-centred, interactive and participatory approach to learning.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Blended and Online Learning Design (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University College London

Blended and Online Learning Design (FutureLearn)

Learn to develop the best pedagogy for your students using blended and online learning methods. Develop the skills you need to teach blended and online learning. Online learning is the future of teaching. This three-week teaching course aims to support teachers’ own innovations in teaching and learning online, whether you teach in a school, college or university.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
Global Education for Teachers (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University College London

Global Education for Teachers (FutureLearn)

Discover key issues in global citizenship education and learn how to prepare your students for the global challenges of tomorrow. Incorporate global learning and global citizenship education into your teaching. Teachers today must prepare their students for a global future. Young people will need to learn how to positively engage with people from all over the world and build the skills and knowledge to become a global citizen.On this course, you’ll increase your confidence and ability to introduce global issues into your teaching. You’ll get CPD training in how to address global issues in your teaching and support global citizenship in your school.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
Clinical Supervision: Teaching and Facilitating Learning (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of East Anglia

Clinical Supervision: Teaching and Facilitating Learning (FutureLearn)

Create a conducive learning environment and facilitate effective learning with this online course for clinical supervisors. Help your undergraduate and postgraduate learners to learn effectively. This online course will focus on the importance of the learning environment for teaching and facilitating learning among undergraduate and postgraduate learners.

Self Paced
3 Weeks