Teaching primary computing through contexts - residential CP405
Explore ways to introduce contexts relating to cross-curricular topics, everyday life, and the wider world. These strategies will enable pupils to understand the practical applications of computing and explore career opportunities in an informal way.
Summary
By using curriculum and real-world contexts, you can teach aspects of computing using contexts from other curriculum subjects. This shows children how computing links to the world around them, supporting learning by making it more relevant and ensuring that all aspects of computing are taught effectively.
Using engaging contexts to teach computing is a route to enable pupils to engage with often quite abstract and challenging ideas. Providing familiar or cross-curricular contexts can also show children how computing links to other subjects and the world around them making it more relevant to them.
This course looks at reasons why a context-based approach for primary computing may benefit learning. It considers a variety of contexts including: topics from across the wider curriculum, stories, real-life and work contexts, and culturally-relevant pedagogy.
Sessions will be structured to support teachers to plan engaging activities that meet the needs of the pupils in their school, whilst developing computing skills and knowledge.
You will look at linking core subjects to computing and making the most of a topic-based approach by adapting the Teach Computing Curriculum to link to other curriculum contexts. You will have a go at several context-based computing activities and evaluate how they support the aims of the computing curriculum.
Finally, you will look at your own curriculum planning to identify cross-curricular opportunities relevant to your school.
This is a residential course at the National STEM Learning Centre, York. Meals and overnight accommodation are included for participants for the duration of the course.
If you wish to extend your stay in York, bed and breakfast will be available at the centre’s on-site accommodation at a discounted rate of £45+VAT per night. You can email reception@stem.org.uk to secure this rate, providing their course booking information and confirming the night(s) they would like to stay.
Who is it for?
Primary teachers and Primary computing leads
What topics are covered?
- why teach through contexts?
- contexts from core subjects
- contexts from across wider curriculum
- exploring existing resources
- hands-on experience of software
- developing computing through everyday contexts
- planning for context-based computing
How will you learn?
You’ll discuss issues with peers and an experienced course leader, comparing practice and learning strategies that are based in evidence. Personalised action planning will help you prioritise next steps for you and your school, ensuring you gain maximum benefit from the CPD
How long is this course?
This course is a single day involving 5.5 hours of learning.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- teach knowledge and skills in computing through a cross-curricular approach
- structure teaching using contextualised learning ensuring computing objectives are met
- identify how to ensure progression in Computing when using cross-curricular contexts
- develop the teaching of Computing in your school using contexts relevant to your learners and setting
- tailor lessons to account for topics within year groups