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Ben Garside and Rebecca Franks

In the first two weeks of the course, you'll be introduced to a range of pedagogical approaches suitable for Key Stage 3. You'll look at a range of pedagogies aimed at developing your students' computational thinking skills, from unplugged approaches to PRIMM, and more. You'll also investigate worked examples and targeted tasks such as Parson's Problems.

In the final week of the course, you'll see several of these pedagogies in action as you work on a rock-paper-scissors game, and you'll think about how the teaching could be adapted for use with your students.

Read more

In the first two weeks of the course, you'll be introduced to a range of pedagogical approaches suitable for Key Stage 3. You'll look at a range of pedagogies aimed at developing your students' computational thinking skills, from unplugged approaches to PRIMM, and more. You'll also investigate worked examples and targeted tasks such as Parson's Problems.

In the final week of the course, you'll see several of these pedagogies in action as you work on a rock-paper-scissors game, and you'll think about how the teaching could be adapted for use with your students.

What you'll learn

Over the following three weeks, you will:

  • Describe a range of pedagogical approaches suitable for use with 11- to 14-year-olds
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how these approaches can be used in the classroom
  • Evaluate the suitability of each approach for a particular audience and teaching objective
  • Produce a lesson plan using one of the pedagogical techniques addressed in the course

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Describe a range of pedagogical approaches suitable for use with 11- to 14-year-olds
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how these approaches can be used in the classroom
  • Evaluate the suitability of each approach for a particular audience and teaching objective
  • Produce a lesson plan using one of the pedagogical techniques addressed in the course

Syllabus

You will cover:
Computational thinking
The unplugged approach
Use-Modify-Create and PRIMM
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Worked examples and live coding
Pair programming
Parson's Problems
Using functions, loops, variables, and selection to create a rock-paper-scissors game

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Emphasizes preparing students for computational thinking, a necessary skill for young learners
Provides hands-on experience through interactive activities like building a rock-paper-scissors game
Introduces a variety of pedagogical approaches, allowing educators to choose the most appropriate for their students
Provides clear learning objectives and outcomes, guiding students towards specific achievements
Designed for a specific age group (11- to 14-year-olds), ensuring relevance and appropriateness of content

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools: Inspiring Computing Teaching with these activities:
Review existing knowledge about computational thinking
Refresh your understanding of computational thinking, including concepts such as abstraction, decomposition, generalization, and evaluation, to strengthen your foundation for this course.
Browse courses on Computational Thinking
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  • Go over your notes or textbooks from previous courses that covered computational thinking.
  • Review online resources and tutorials to recap the key concepts of computational thinking.
  • Complete practice problems or exercises to test your understanding.
Organize and review course materials for better retention
Improve your retention of course material by organizing and reviewing your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams, ensuring that you have a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts and can easily revisit them for reinforcement.
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  • Gather all of your course materials, including notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
  • Organize your materials into a logical structure, such as by topic or week.
  • Review your materials regularly to reinforce your understanding and identify any areas where you need further clarification.
Engage in peer discussions to share and learn about computational thinking approaches
Participate in peer discussions where you can exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from others' perspectives on computational thinking approaches, expanding your understanding and gaining valuable insights.
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  • Join or form a study group with other students in the course.
  • Schedule regular meetings to discuss the course material and share your thoughts on computational thinking approaches.
  • Take turns leading discussions and presenting your findings to the group.
Three other activities
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Practice using PRIMM to develop computational thinking skills
Engage in practice drills using PRIMM, a problem-solving framework, to hone your skills in defining problems, identifying key information, and developing effective solutions, deepening your understanding of computational thinking.
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  • Familiarize yourself with the PRIMM framework.
  • Find practice problems or exercises that can be solved using PRIMM.
  • Apply the PRIMM framework to solve these problems, breaking them down into manageable steps.
Share your knowledge by mentoring other students in computational thinking
Reinforce your understanding of computational thinking by mentoring other students, providing guidance, support, and encouragement as they navigate the concepts and develop their skills, while solidifying your own knowledge.
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  • Identify opportunities to mentor students, such as joining a tutoring program or offering assistance to classmates.
  • Prepare materials and resources to support your mentees' learning.
  • Meet regularly with your mentees to provide guidance, answer their questions, and encourage their progress.
Design and implement a lesson plan using a computational thinking pedagogy
Apply your understanding of computational thinking pedagogies by creating a lesson plan that incorporates one of the approaches covered in the course, allowing you to synthesize your knowledge and develop practical teaching strategies.
Browse courses on Lesson Planning
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  • Choose a specific computational thinking pedagogy that you want to focus on.
  • Develop a lesson plan that incorporates the chosen pedagogy.
  • Consider how you will assess student learning and engagement with the pedagogy.

Career center

Learners who complete Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools: Inspiring Computing Teaching will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
High School Computer Science Teacher
As a High School Computer Science Teacher, you will primarily focus on imparting computational thinking skills and programming concepts to students in secondary schools. To be successful in this role, it is essential to leverage pedagogical approaches to make learning accessible and engaging. The 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation is designed to equip you with various pedagogical techniques, such as the unplugged approach, PRIMM, worked examples, pair programming, and Parson's Problems. By understanding how to implement these approaches, you can create a stimulating and effective learning environment for your students.
Computer Programming Instructor
A Computer Programming Instructor plays a crucial role in teaching programming fundamentals and coding skills to students or individuals seeking to enhance their technical abilities. To excel in this role, it is essential to possess a thorough understanding of pedagogical principles and methodologies. The 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation provides valuable insights into a range of teaching approaches, including computational thinking, the unplugged approach, worked examples, and pair programming. By gaining knowledge of these techniques, you can effectively convey complex programming concepts to your students, fostering their understanding and problem-solving abilities.
Educational Software Developer
An Educational Software Developer specializes in designing and developing software applications that enhance the teaching and learning experience. To succeed in this role, it is essential to have a strong understanding of pedagogical principles and how technology can support effective learning outcomes. The 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation provides valuable insights into various pedagogical approaches, such as computational thinking, the unplugged approach, worked examples, and pair programming. By gaining knowledge of these techniques, you can create educational software that is engaging, interactive, and aligned with best practices in teaching and learning.
Instructional Designer
An Instructional Designer plays a crucial role in creating and developing educational materials and programs that facilitate effective learning experiences. To excel in this role, it is essential to have a strong understanding of pedagogical principles and methodologies. The 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation provides valuable insights into various teaching approaches, such as computational thinking, the unplugged approach, worked examples, and pair programming. By gaining knowledge of these techniques, you can design and develop engaging and effective learning materials that meet the diverse needs of learners.
Learning Scientist
As a Learning Scientist, you focus on researching and understanding how people learn, particularly in educational settings. To excel in this role, it is essential to have a strong foundation in pedagogical principles and methodologies. The 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation provides valuable insights into various teaching approaches, such as computational thinking, the unplugged approach, worked examples, and pair programming. By gaining knowledge of these techniques, you can design and evaluate learning environments and interventions that promote effective learning outcomes.
Educational Researcher
An Educational Researcher investigates and evaluates educational theories, practices, and policies to improve teaching and learning outcomes. To excel in this role, it is essential to have a strong foundation in pedagogical principles and methodologies. The 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation provides valuable insights into various teaching approaches, such as computational thinking, the unplugged approach, worked examples, and pair programming. By gaining knowledge of these techniques, you can conduct research that contributes to the advancement of educational theory and practice.
Curriculum Developer
As a Curriculum Developer, you are responsible for designing and developing educational programs and materials that align with specific learning objectives. To excel in this role, it is essential to have a strong understanding of pedagogical principles and methodologies. The 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation provides valuable insights into various teaching approaches, such as computational thinking, the unplugged approach, worked examples, and pair programming. By gaining knowledge of these techniques, you can create comprehensive and effective curricula that promote student engagement and achievement.
Technical Writer
As a Technical Writer, you specialize in creating user guides, documentation, and other technical materials that explain complex concepts and procedures clearly and effectively. To succeed in this role, it is essential to have a strong understanding of pedagogical principles and how to communicate technical information in a way that is accessible to diverse audiences. The 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation provides valuable insights into various teaching approaches, such as computational thinking, the unplugged approach, worked examples, and pair programming. By gaining knowledge of these techniques, you can create user-friendly documentation that effectively conveys technical information.
Science Writer
As a Science Writer, you specialize in communicating complex scientific concepts and discoveries to a wider audience. To succeed in this role, it is essential to have a strong foundation in pedagogical principles and how to present scientific information in a way that is engaging and accessible to non-experts. The 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation provides valuable insights into various teaching approaches, such as computational thinking, the unplugged approach, worked examples, and pair programming. By gaining knowledge of these techniques, you can effectively communicate scientific concepts and discoveries to diverse audiences.
Education Consultant
An Education Consultant provides expert advice and support to educational institutions and organizations on improving teaching and learning practices. To excel in this role, it is essential to have a deep understanding of pedagogical principles and methodologies. The 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation provides valuable insights into various teaching approaches, such as computational thinking, the unplugged approach, worked examples, and pair programming. By gaining knowledge of these techniques, you can effectively advise educational institutions on implementing best practices and enhancing student outcomes.
Software Engineer
As a Software Engineer, you are primarily involved in the design, development, and maintenance of software systems. While not directly related to teaching, a strong understanding of programming and pedagogical principles can be beneficial in certain aspects of the role, such as developing educational software or working on projects related to computer science education. The 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation can provide valuable insights into teaching approaches and techniques that may be applicable in these contexts.
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist specializes in extracting insights and knowledge from data using statistical and computational methods. While not directly related to teaching, the computational thinking and problem-solving skills developed in the 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation can be beneficial in certain aspects of the role, such as analyzing educational data or developing data-driven solutions for improving teaching and learning outcomes.
Web Developer
A Web Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites and web applications. While not directly related to teaching, the programming skills and knowledge of web technologies gained in the 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation may be useful in certain aspects of the role, such as developing educational websites or interactive learning platforms.
User Experience Designer
A User Experience Designer focuses on designing and evaluating user interfaces and experiences to ensure they are intuitive and user-friendly. While not directly related to teaching, the pedagogical principles and understanding of user behavior gained in the 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation can be beneficial in certain aspects of the role, such as designing learning interfaces or evaluating the usability of educational software.
Instructional Technologist
An Instructional Technologist specializes in integrating technology into teaching and learning environments to enhance student outcomes. While not directly related to secondary school teaching, the pedagogical principles and knowledge of educational technology gained in the 'Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools' course offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation may be useful in certain aspects of the role, such as designing and implementing technology-enhanced learning programs or providing training on educational software.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools: Inspiring Computing Teaching.
This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to algorithms. It covers a wide range of algorithms, from sorting to searching to graph algorithms.
This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to computer systems. It covers a wide range of topics, from computer architecture to operating systems to networks.
Provides a comprehensive guide to software development. It covers a wide range of topics, from planning to design to testing.
This classic book provides a guide to software project management. It covers a wide range of topics, from planning to staffing to risk management.
Provides a guide to managing people in software development. It covers a wide range of topics, from hiring to motivation to conflict resolution.
This novel provides a fictionalized account of a software development project that goes awry. It covers a wide range of topics, from DevOps to agile development to project management.
Provides a guide to building successful startups. It covers a wide range of topics, from customer development to product development to marketing.
Provides a guide to building successful technology companies. It covers a wide range of topics, from fundraising to hiring to firing.

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