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Ben Hall

During this course, you will investigate the rationale for teaching computing to primary school pupils, looking at how computing has shaped the world we live in and how computers influence all of our lives. You will examine the breadth of computing using activities from The Computing Curriculum, and in doing so, you will develop your subject knowledge in the main strands of The Computing Curriculum. As you progress through this course, you will reflect on your own teaching experience to ensure that your computing teaching includes effective differentiation and assessment, and is inclusive.

Read more

During this course, you will investigate the rationale for teaching computing to primary school pupils, looking at how computing has shaped the world we live in and how computers influence all of our lives. You will examine the breadth of computing using activities from The Computing Curriculum, and in doing so, you will develop your subject knowledge in the main strands of The Computing Curriculum. As you progress through this course, you will reflect on your own teaching experience to ensure that your computing teaching includes effective differentiation and assessment, and is inclusive.

What you'll learn

Over the next four weeks, you will:

  • Identify the reasons for teaching computing to pupils of primary school age (aged 5 to 11)
  • Explain the contents of key curriculum strands within computing
  • Modify a computing lesson to include differentiation and assessment, and make it inclusive for all of your learners
  • Produce a personal action plan to inform your next steps in learning

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Identify the reasons for teaching computing to pupils of primary school age (aged 5 to 11)
  • Explain the contents of key curriculum strands within computing
  • Modify a computing lesson to include differentiation and assessment, and make it inclusive for all of your learners
  • Produce a personal action plan to inform your next steps in learning

Syllabus

Week 1
What is a computer?
Why teach computing?
Computing in the curriculum
Read more
Week 2
Computing systems and networks
Programming
Data and information
Week 3
Creating media
Safety and security
Effective use of tools
Impact of technology
Cross-curricular computing
Week 4
Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK)
Differentiation
Inclusion
Assessment
Personal reflection

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops core computational thinking skills, which are the foundation for future learning in computing and other STEM disciplines
Taught by Ben Hall, a highly respected educator in the field of computing education
Provides practical strategies for effectively teaching computing to primary school pupils, ensuring their engagement and understanding
Covers key concepts, such as computer systems, programming, data and information, and safety and security, providing a comprehensive overview of computing for primary school teachers
Emphasizes the importance of differentiation and inclusion, ensuring that all learners can succeed in computing
Suitable for primary school teachers with varying levels of computing knowledge, providing both foundational concepts and practical teaching strategies

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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 Get Started Teaching Computing in Primary Schools: Preparing to teach 5 - 11 year olds with these activities:
Read 'Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software'
Gain insights into the inner workings of computers and the fundamental principles of programming by reading this highly acclaimed book.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book
  • Read the book thoroughly
  • Take notes and highlight key concepts
  • Discuss the book with others or write a summary
Review fundamental concepts of computer science
Strengthen your foundation by reviewing core concepts of computer science, such as data types, variables, and control structures, before starting the course.
Show steps
  • Identify areas where your knowledge may be lacking
  • Consult textbooks, online resources, or previous course materials
  • Practice solving simple programming problems
Follow online tutorials on key computing concepts
Supplement your learning by exploring online tutorials that provide in-depth explanations and demonstrations of key computing concepts.
Browse courses on Computing Concepts
Show steps
  • Identify areas where you need additional support
  • Search for reputable online tutorials on those topics
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step
  • Complete the exercises and quizzes provided in the tutorials
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Engage in discussions with classmates
Connect with your classmates and exchange ideas, ask questions, and provide support through online forums or discussion boards.
Show steps
  • Join the course discussion forum
  • Read through existing discussions and threads
  • Post questions or comments to engage with classmates
  • Respond to others' posts and share your perspectives
Practice coding challenges
Reinforce your understanding of programming concepts by solving coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.
Browse courses on Programming
Show steps
  • Choose a coding platform
  • Select a challenge that aligns with your skill level
  • Attempt to solve the challenge
  • Review your solution and identify areas for improvement
Create a visual representation of a computing concept
Deepen your understanding of a computing concept by creating a visual representation, such as a diagram, infographic, or animation.
Show steps
  • Choose a concept that you want to visualize
  • Select a suitable visual format
  • Use clear and concise language and visuals
  • Share your creation with others for feedback
Contribute to an open-source project related to computing
Enhance your practical skills and gain valuable real-world experience by contributing to an open-source project that aligns with computing concepts covered in the course.
Browse courses on Open Source
Show steps
  • Find a suitable open-source project
  • Review the project's documentation and codebase
  • Identify an area where you can make a meaningful contribution
  • Submit a pull request with your changes
Volunteer at a local coding club or mentor students in computing
Share your knowledge and passion for computing by volunteering your time to support others in their learning journey.
Show steps
  • Identify local organizations or schools that offer coding clubs or mentoring programs
  • Contact the organization and express your interest in volunteering
  • Attend volunteer training or orientation
  • Work with students or participants to support their learning and development

Career center

Learners who complete Get Started Teaching Computing in Primary Schools: Preparing to teach 5 - 11 year olds will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Computer Science Teacher
As a Computer Science Teacher, you get to lead classes and teach students from ages 5 to 11 the basics of computing. One can use your deep subject knowledge of computing to teach the different strands of The Computing Curriculum. Your work can make a big difference in the lives of young people as you help them develop the skills they need to succeed in the future.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts utilize their knowledge of data and information to analyze and interpret data, which can be helpful in making informed decisions.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators use their knowledge of data and information to maintain and manage databases.
Web Developer
Web Developers utilize their knowledge of computing systems and networks, programming, data and information, and creating media to design and develop websites.
Network Administrator
Network Administrators utilize their knowledge of computing systems and networks to maintain and manage computer networks.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts use their knowledge of safety and security to protect computer systems and networks from cyberattacks.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation, such as user manuals and white papers. This course may be useful for you as it can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise documentation.
UX Designer
UX Designers use their knowledge of creating media, safety and security, and effective use of tools to design and develop user interfaces for websites and software applications.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers utilize their knowledge of programming, data and information, and creating media to design and develop robots.
Systems Administrator
Systems Administrators use their knowledge of computing systems and networks to maintain and manage computer systems.
Computer Programmer
A Computer Programmer works on the coding and programming aspects of computer software.
Video Game Designer
Video Game Designers utilize their knowledge of programming, data and information, creating media, and effective use of tools to design and develop video games.
Webmaster
Webmasters utilize their knowledge of computing systems and networks, programming, data and information, and creating media to manage and maintain websites.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer role requires you to apply your expertise in programming, data and information, and creating media to create and maintain software programs. This course may be useful for you as it helps build a foundation in key concepts within computing.
Computer Systems Analyst
As a Computer Systems Analyst, you will use your knowledge of computing systems and networks, programming, data and information to analyze and design computer systems.

Reading list

We've selected 14 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 Get Started Teaching Computing in Primary Schools: Preparing to teach 5 - 11 year olds.
Provides a deep understanding of how computers work. It covers a range of topics, including computer architecture, operating systems, and computer networks. It useful reference for teachers who want to develop their understanding of the fundamentals of computing.
Provides an introduction to computational thinking for primary school pupils, with a focus on developing their problem-solving and algorithmic thinking skills.
Provides a comprehensive overview of algorithms and data structures. It covers a range of topics, including sorting, searching, recursion, and dynamic programming. It useful reference for teachers who want to develop their understanding of algorithms and data structures.
Provides a comprehensive overview of deep learning. It covers a range of topics, including convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks, and generative adversarial networks. It useful reference for teachers who want to develop their understanding of deep learning.
Provides a comprehensive overview of computer networks. It covers a range of topics, including network architecture, protocols, and security. It useful reference for teachers who want to develop their understanding of computer networks.
Provides a comprehensive overview of operating systems. It covers a range of topics, including processes, memory management, and file systems. It useful reference for teachers who want to develop their understanding of operating systems.
Provides a rigorous foundation for computer science. It covers a range of topics, including discrete mathematics, probability, and statistics. It useful reference for teachers who want to develop their understanding of the theoretical foundations of computer science.
Provides a comprehensive overview of database systems. It covers a range of topics, including database design, query processing, and transaction management. It useful reference for teachers who want to develop their understanding of database systems.
Provides a comprehensive overview of software engineering. It covers a range of topics, including software requirements, design, development, and testing. It useful reference for teachers who want to develop their understanding of software engineering.
Provides a classic overview of software engineering. It covers a range of topics, including software development, project management, and software testing. It useful reference for teachers who want to develop their understanding of the history of software engineering.
Provides a practical guide to managing software development teams. It covers a range of topics, including team dynamics, communication, and motivation. It useful reference for teachers who want to develop their understanding of software engineering management.
Classic reference on computer programming. It covers a range of topics, including algorithms, data structures, and programming languages. It useful reference for teachers who want to develop their understanding of the foundations of computer science.

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