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.

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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

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