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Programming Pedagogy in Primary Schools

Developing Computing Teaching

Ben Hall

During this course, you'll examine a range of pedagogies suitable for teaching programming to primary school pupils, particularly block-based programming languages. You'll look at general pedagogical concepts like Bloom's verbs, semantic waves and cognitive load, as well as approaches specific to programming, such as Parson's Problems or designing lessons using levels of abstraction. You'll also have the opportunity to reflect on your own teaching practices, and how you could adapt your own lessons to make the most of these approaches.

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During this course, you'll examine a range of pedagogies suitable for teaching programming to primary school pupils, particularly block-based programming languages. You'll look at general pedagogical concepts like Bloom's verbs, semantic waves and cognitive load, as well as approaches specific to programming, such as Parson's Problems or designing lessons using levels of abstraction. You'll also have the opportunity to reflect on your own teaching practices, and how you could adapt your own lessons to make the most of these approaches.

What you'll learn

Over the following four weeks, you will:

  • Describe a range of pedagogical approaches, including unplugged approaches, 'Use-Modify-Create', and Parson's Problems
  • Explore the key programming concepts of sequence, variables, selection, and iteration, and how these can be taught
  • Model a learning sequence as a semantic wave
  • Synthesise different pedagogies into a lesson plan
  • Evaluate the use of these pedagogical approaches in your classroom
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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Describe a range of pedagogical approaches, including unplugged approaches, 'use-modify-create', and parson's problems
  • Explore the key programming concepts of sequence, variables, selection, and iteration, and how these can be taught
  • Model a learning sequence as a semantic wave
  • Synthesise different pedagogies into a lesson plan
  • Evaluate the use of these pedagogical approaches in your classroom

Syllabus

You will cover:
Pedagogical content knowledge
Bloom's taxonomy and SOLO
Semantic waves
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Guides educators through a wide range of teaching methods, including 'Use Modify Create' and Parson's Problems, which are tailored to primary school children
Delves into pedagogical concepts like Bloom's taxonomy, cognitive load, and semantic waves, empowering educators to enhance their teaching practices
Specifically targeted towards educators teaching programming to primary school students, catering to their unique needs and challenges
Provides practical guidance on how to teach key programming concepts such as sequence, iteration, and variables in an engaging and accessible manner
Empowers educators to evaluate the effectiveness of their teaching methods and make informed adjustments to optimize student outcomes

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Reviews summary

Developing primary computing teaching

According to its comprehensive design and detailed objectives, learners are likely to find this course a highly practical and foundational resource for teaching computing in primary schools. It aims to equip educators with a strong understanding of pedagogical approaches, including unplugged activities and the 'Use-Modify-Create' framework, facilitating the instruction of key programming concepts like sequence and iteration. Students are expected to gain actionable strategies for lesson planning and will be encouraged to engage in reflective practice to adapt their teaching. While providing a solid base for new or less experienced teachers, those seeking advanced pedagogical techniques for computing may find its content foundational.
Encourages practical lesson design and self-evaluation.
"Synthesizing different pedagogies into a lesson plan was a highly valuable practical exercise that prepared me for the classroom."
"I gained significant insights into modelling learning sequences as a semantic wave and evaluating my own teaching practices."
"The course effectively prompts me to reflect on my instructional methods and adapt my computing lessons to be more engaging."
Explains core coding concepts for teaching young learners.
"The way key programming concepts like sequence, variables, selection, and iteration were explained for teaching primary pupils was very clear."
"I now have a better understanding of how to effectively teach these fundamental programming ideas to young children."
"The course clearly outlines how to demystify complex programming concepts, making them accessible for a primary school setting."
Focuses on actionable teaching strategies.
"I found the range of pedagogical approaches, like 'Use-Modify-Create' and Parson's Problems, incredibly useful for my classroom."
"The course outlines practical strategies that I can immediately apply when teaching programming to primary pupils, fostering confidence."
"I appreciated learning about effective methods for managing cognitive load and designing lessons using levels of abstraction."
Provides a strong base, but may not suit advanced teachers.
"While excellent for building a solid foundation, I anticipate those with significant prior computing teaching experience might seek more advanced strategies."
"I found this course built a strong base in pedagogical content knowledge, which is perfect for new primary computing teachers like me."
"For a deeper dive into highly specific or advanced computer science pedagogy, I might need supplementary resources beyond this course."

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 Primary Schools: Developing Computing Teaching with these activities:
Review key programming concepts
Reinforce your understanding of the fundamental programming concepts that will be covered in this course.
Browse courses on Sequence
Show steps
  • Go over your notes from previous programming courses or online resources.
  • Complete practice problems or quizzes to test your knowledge.
Read 'The Art of Teaching Science' by Jack Hassard
Gain insights into effective teaching strategies and classroom management techniques that are applicable to teaching programming.
View The Art of Teaching Science: Inquiry and... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, paying attention to chapters on lesson planning, student engagement, and assessment.
  • Reflect on how the book's principles can be applied to teaching programming.
Explore block-based programming environments
Familiarize yourself with the block-based programming environment you will be using in this course.
Browse courses on Block-Based Programming
Show steps
  • Choose a block-based programming environment (e.g., Scratch, Code.org).
  • Follow tutorials or online courses to learn the basics of the environment.
  • Create a few simple projects to practice using the environment.
Seven other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all ten activities
Join a study group or online forum
Connect with other students taking the course to discuss concepts, share resources, and support each other.
Browse courses on Collaboration
Show steps
  • Identify or create a study group with classmates.
  • Join online forums or discussion boards related to the course.
  • Participate in discussions and ask questions to clarify concepts.
Prepare the background knowledge
Strengthen the essential knowledge to boost efficiency during the course.
Browse courses on Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Show steps
  • Review the basic concepts of Bloom's taxonomy and SOLO.
  • Reflect on your own teaching practices.
  • Identify the key programming concepts that you will be teaching.
Learn to create semantic waves
Consolidate your understanding of how semantic waves work.
Show steps
  • Find a programming concept that you want to teach.
  • Create a semantic wave for the concept.
  • Share your semantic wave with a colleague or friend.
Solve programming puzzles and challenges
Strengthen your problem-solving skills and apply your programming knowledge in practical scenarios.
Browse courses on Coding Challenges
Show steps
  • Find online resources or platforms that provide programming puzzles and challenges.
  • Attempt to solve the puzzles or challenges on your own.
  • Review solutions and explanations to enhance your understanding.
Develop lesson plans using педагогические подходы
Apply your understanding of педагогические подходы to create lesson plans that effectively teach programming concepts to primary school students.
Browse courses on Lesson Planning
Show steps
  • Choose a specific programming concept to teach.
  • Select and research педагогические подходы that align with the concept.
  • Design a lesson plan that incorporates these approaches.
  • Share your lesson plan with peers or instructors for feedback.
Design a blended lesson
Deepen your understanding of the different pedagogical approaches in programming lessons.
Browse courses on Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Show steps
  • Choose a topic that you want to teach.
  • Design a lesson plan that incorporates different pedagogical approaches.
  • Teach the lesson to a group of students
Contribute to open-source projects
Gain practical experience and contribute to the programming community by participating in open-source projects.
Browse courses on Open-Source Software
Show steps
  • Identify open-source projects that align with your interests.
  • Review the project's documentation and codebase.
  • Find a bug or feature that you can contribute to.
  • Create a pull request with your proposed changes.
  • Collaborate with the project maintainers to refine your contribution.

Career center

Learners who complete Programming Pedagogy in Primary Schools: Developing Computing Teaching will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Computer Science Teacher
Computer Science Teachers educate students about computers and computer science. They develop and implement lesson plans, evaluate student progress, and create a positive learning environment. This course can be beneficial for Computer Science Teachers as it provides strategies for teaching programming concepts to primary school pupils.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Science Teacher
Instructional Coach
Instructional Coaches work with teachers to improve their teaching practices. They provide feedback and support to teachers, and help them develop and implement new teaching strategies. This course may be useful for Instructional Coaches who work with teachers who teach programming to primary school pupils.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Coach
Educational Technology Specialist
Educational Technology Specialists integrate technology into teaching and learning. They provide training and support to teachers on how to use technology in the classroom, and develop and implement educational technology programs. This course may be useful for Educational Technology Specialists who work with teachers to integrate programming into their teaching.
See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Technology Specialist
Teacher Educator
Teacher Educators prepare future teachers to teach in schools. They develop and teach courses on teaching methods, curriculum development, and educational assessment. This course can help Teacher Educators develop effective programming lessons and activities for their students.
See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher Educator
Educational Consultant
Educational Consultants provide advice and support to schools and other educational institutions on a variety of educational issues. They may work with schools to develop and implement new programs, improve teaching practices, or evaluate student learning. This course may be useful for Educational Consultants who work with schools to improve their programming instruction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Consultant
Curriculum Developer
Curriculum Developers design and develop educational curriculum. They research and identify learning needs, develop learning objectives and activities, and create teaching materials. This course can provide Curriculum Developers with insights into effective programming pedagogy, which they can use to create engaging and effective curriculum materials.
See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer
Assessment Specialist
Assessment Specialists develop and implement assessments to measure student learning. They analyze data from assessments to identify areas where students need additional support, and develop and implement interventions to improve student learning. This course may be useful for Assessment Specialists who develop and implement assessments for programming instruction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Assessment Specialist
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designers create and develop educational materials and experiences. They analyze learning needs, design and develop courses and other learning materials, and evaluate the effectiveness of instructional programs. This course can help Instructional Designers develop effective programming lessons and activities for students.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer
Education Administrator
Education Administrators oversee the operation of schools and other educational institutions. They develop and implement policies and procedures, and manage the day-to-day operations of the school. This course may be useful for Education Administrators who oversee schools that teach programming to primary school pupils.
See salaries and explore the career path for Education Administrator
Educational Researcher
Educational Researchers conduct research on teaching and learning. They study how students learn, how teachers teach, and how educational policies and programs affect student outcomes. This course may be useful for Educational Researchers interested in studying the effectiveness of different programming pedagogies in primary schools.
See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Researcher
Education Policy Analyst
Education Policy Analysts research and analyze education policies. They provide advice to policymakers on the development and implementation of education policies. This course may be useful for Education Policy Analysts who work on policies related to teaching programming in primary schools.
See salaries and explore the career path for Education Policy Analyst
Program Manager
Program Managers plan, organize, and execute programs and projects. They develop budgets, timelines, and work plans, and oversee the implementation of programs. This course may be useful for Program Managers who manage programs that involve teaching programming to primary school pupils.
See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager
Learning Scientist
Learning Scientists conduct research on how people learn. They study the cognitive, social, and emotional processes involved in learning, and develop theories and models to explain how learning occurs. This course may be useful for Learning Scientists interested in studying the effectiveness of different programming pedagogies in primary schools.
See salaries and explore the career path for Learning Scientist
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Managers plan, organize, and execute programs and services for nonprofit organizations. They develop budgets, timelines, and work plans, and oversee the implementation of programs. This course may be useful for Nonprofit Managers who manage programs that involve teaching programming to primary school pupils.
See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager
Software Engineer
Software Engineers apply engineering concepts to the design, development, deployment, and maintenance of software applications and systems. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in programming pedagogy, which is essential for developing and implementing effective software solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Reading list

We've selected seven 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 Primary Schools: Developing Computing Teaching.
Cover image
C Programming
Save
A classic textbook on computer programming, very useful as a reference for the key programming concepts covered in the course.
C Programming: A Modern Approach, 2nd Edition
Paperback
$$$
C Programming: A Modern Approach
Paperback
$$$$
(中文) C language programming: a modern approach(Chinese...
Paperback
$$
(中文) Modern Methods of C Language Programming Second...
Paperback
$$$
(中文) C Language Programming Modern Method (Second...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Teacher Peer Assistance and Review
Save
Provides a detailed explanation of Bloom's taxonomy, a widely used framework for classifying educational objectives into different levels of cognitive complexity. It can be useful for teachers who want to design lessons that are aligned with the learning objectives of their students.
Teacher Peer Assistance and Review
Paperback
Check
Teacher Peer Assistance and Review
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Concepts, Techniques, and Models of Computer...
Save
Very useful for providing background on the concept of levels of abstraction and how it can be used in teaching computer science.
Concepts, Techniques, and Models of Computer...
Hardcover
$$$$
Cover image
Meaningful Learning with Technology
Save
A seminal work on constructivism, very useful for providing background on the theory and its applications in education.
Meaningful Learning with Technology
Paperback
Check
Meaningful Learning with Technology
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Metamagical Themas
Save
A Pulitzer Prize-winning exploration of the relationship between mathematics, music, and consciousness, a very useful reference for teachers and learners who are interested in the broader context of computer science.
Metamagical Themas: Questing for the Essence of...
Paperback
$$
Metamagical Themas: Questing For The Essence Of...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Joy of X
Save
A delightful exploration of mathematics, a very useful reference for teachers and learners who are interested in the broader context of computer science.
The Joy Of X: A Guided Tour of Math, from One to...
Paperback
$$
The Joy of X & Infinite Powers The Story of...
Paperback
$$
[The joy of X: a guided tour of mathematics, from...
Paperback
$$
(中文) The Joy of X(chinese Edition)
Paperback
$$
The Joy Of X: A Guided Tour of Math, from One to...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Beyond Coding
Save
Provides a gentle introduction to coding for beginners. It can be useful for teachers who want to teach their students the basics of coding in a fun and engaging way.
Beyond Coding: How Children Learn Human Values...
Paperback
$$
Beyond Coding: How Children Learn Human Values...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Course image
Effort
2 to 4 hours per week for 4 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
Raspberry Pi Foundation
Instructor
Ben Hall
Language
English
Transcript
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Guides educators through a wide range of teaching methods, including 'Use Modify Create' and Parson's Problems, which are tailored to primary school children
Delves into pedagogical concepts like Bloom's taxonomy, cognitive load, and semantic waves, empowering educators to enhance their teaching practices
Specifically targeted towards educators teaching programming to primary school students, catering to their unique needs and challenges
Provides practical guidance on how to teach key programming concepts such as sequence, iteration, and variables in an engaging and accessible manner
Empowers educators to evaluate the effectiveness of their teaching methods and make informed adjustments to optimize student outcomes
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