Category: Secondary

04 May, 16:00 – 17:00, Collaborative event – Computing Science Tackling Gender Stereotypes

You will require a glow login for this webinar.

This is a collaborative event to share practice and discuss strategies following on from the webinar – Computing Science Tackling Unconscious Bias and Gender Stereotypes.  If you have not attended the webinar you can still take part and join in with this collaborative event.

Sign up here

04 May, 16:00 – 17:00, SSERC CRIS mentor programme workshops

SSERC and Education Scotland have teamed up to bring you the CRIS mentor programme. It is designed to build confidence and to develop understanding of a number of issues related to cyber resilience and internet safety in the teacher community across Scotland. The knowledge and experience gained by delegates through the programme can then be used, along with the provided resources, to mentor other staff and pupils within their school communities.

The programme focusses on 4 key areas of CRIS:

  • Digital Footprint
  • Passwords and Encryption
  • Dealing with Online Issues
  • Securing your devices

 

The Digilearn team will be available for drop-in workshops, where you can ask questions, discuss ideas and share resources. These sessions will be:

  • 04 May, 1600 – 1700
  • 11 May, 1600 – 1700
  • 18 May, 1600 – 1700
  • 25 May, 1600 – 1700

Join the meetings here

 

Further info and sign up details are available here

COMPUTING STUDIES CLPL UHI

The CPD Award in Computing Studies for Teachers (2023) at The University of the Highlands and Islands

The CPD award in Computing Studies for teachers was created for primary teachers and secondary teachers for 1st and 2nd year pupils to give the confidence and skills to teach computing to pupils. More than 50% of our current cohort are primary school teachers. The course is open to any teacher with the relevant entry qualifications (degree and existing teaching qualification) who have an interest in computing or cyber security.

There is normally a weekly lecture and support session that lasts for approx. an hour, or more if required, with further e mail support available. The sessions are certainly beneficial as they allow you to ask questions there and then.

However, the course is designed to be taught when is convenient for all the students and all lectures and tutorial session are recorded for viewing at your leisure.

There is only one module delivered each semester with no time off required during the school day. The lectures are recorded for students unable to attend in person. All activity is carried out online the majority of which happens asynchronously. The modules have a notional 200 hours per module over the semester. It would depend on your previous experience on whether you needed all that time. If you were able to set aside a day at the weekend or a couple of evenings for study, you would not be far off what is required for achieving the award.

The course will be starting either week beginning 23rd January 2023 or 4th September 2023 dependant on applications, with the next module being the Database and Computer Systems module which will be delivered over 14 weeks.

You can apply to join the course with this link or searching for the Computing Studies for Teachers CPD award at https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/ under courses.

The price is £215 per module, and this can be paid on a module-by-module basis. As the modules are 20 credits each if you were to do two in an academic year you may be eligible for SAAS funding. It is suggested contacting SAAS directly if you are planning to start next semester and confirm whether you would be eligible for funding.

The course does not carry any GTCS accreditation.

The programme leader, Gordon Macpherson, can be contacted on email with this link: gordon.macpherson.ic@uhi.ac.uk

MORE FROM UHI

Additional Teaching Qualification in Computing Studies CPD Award (2023) at The University of Highlands and Islands

The course is designed to allow you to teach computing within secondary schools as it has the required numbers of credits stated by the GTCS. The programme is designed to be a roll on roll off programme as each of the units are separate although designed to encompass what is… Read more

Introduction to Cyber Security for Teachers – Funded places available!

The CPD award Introduction to Cyber Security, jointly funded by Education Scotland, was created for ALL primary and secondary teachers and designed to give background knowledge and understanding related to teaching basic cybersecurity and configuring an environment suitable for cybersecurity education. The module allows you to get a basic practical understanding of cybersecurity and cyber resilience… Read more

CYBER SECURITY CLPL UHI
Introduction to Cyber Security for Teachers (2023) at the University of the Highlands and Islands – funded places available

The CPD award Introduction to Cyber Security was created for ALL primary and secondary teachers and designed to give background knowledge and understanding related to teaching basic cybersecurity and configuring an environment suitable for cybersecurity education. The module allows you to get a basic practical understanding of cybersecurity and cyber… Read more

ADDITIONAL TEACHING QUALIFICATION UHI
Additional Teaching Qualification (ATQ) in Computing Studies (2023) at the University of the Highlands and Islands

The Additional Teaching Qualification (ATQ) in Computing Studies aims to develop the skills and knowledge required to enable qualified secondary teachers to deliver the Computing curriculum in addition to their main subject. The course comprises four modules*, designed to build competency in delivering the school computing curriculum from National 4… Read more

COMPUTING STUDIES CLPL UHI
The CPD Award in Computing Studies for Teachers (2023) at The University of the Highlands and Islands

The CPD award in Computing Studies for teachers was created for primary teachers and secondary teachers for 1st and 2nd year pupils to give the confidence and skills to teach computing to pupils. More than 50% of our current cohort are primary school teachers. The course is open to any… Read more

CYBER SECURITY CLPL UHI
CLPL – Introduction to Cyber Security at UHI

This module is aimed at qualified primary and secondary teachers who wish to develop the knowledge, understanding and problem-solving skills related to teaching basic cyber security, and are configuring an environment suitable for cyber security education. The module will help develop an understanding of cyber security and cyber resilience, as… Read more

CYBER SECURITY CLPL UHI

CLPL – Introduction to Cyber Security at UHI

This module is aimed at qualified primary and secondary teachers who wish to develop the knowledge, understanding and problem-solving skills related to teaching basic cyber security, and are configuring an environment suitable for cyber security education. The module will help develop an understanding of cyber security and cyber resilience, as well as the relationship between these two areas of security.

Special features

  • The course is delivered online so you can fit your studies around your personal and professional commitments
  • Online discussion boards allow interaction with fellow students and tutors, as well as peer-review submitted work
  • Induction and tutorials are facilitated through webinars and other online software
  • Course materials and assignments are designed to allow you to develop a range of teaching materials and objects that can be shared with fellow students and used in the classroom
  • You will be part of an ongoing peer group of students that support each other and keep learning materials current, to allow school pupils the most up-to-date experience and information in Computing Studies

MORE FROM UHI

Additional Teaching Qualification in Computing Studies CPD Award (2023) at The University of Highlands and Islands

The course is designed to allow you to teach computing within secondary schools as it has the required numbers of credits stated by the GTCS. The programme is designed to be a roll on roll off programme as each of the units are separate although designed to encompass what is… Read more

Introduction to Cyber Security for Teachers – Funded places available!

The CPD award Introduction to Cyber Security, jointly funded by Education Scotland, was created for ALL primary and secondary teachers and designed to give background knowledge and understanding related to teaching basic cybersecurity and configuring an environment suitable for cybersecurity education. The module allows you to get a basic practical understanding of cybersecurity and cyber resilience… Read more

CYBER SECURITY CLPL UHI
Introduction to Cyber Security for Teachers (2023) at the University of the Highlands and Islands – funded places available

The CPD award Introduction to Cyber Security was created for ALL primary and secondary teachers and designed to give background knowledge and understanding related to teaching basic cybersecurity and configuring an environment suitable for cybersecurity education. The module allows you to get a basic practical understanding of cybersecurity and cyber… Read more

ADDITIONAL TEACHING QUALIFICATION UHI
Additional Teaching Qualification (ATQ) in Computing Studies (2023) at the University of the Highlands and Islands

The Additional Teaching Qualification (ATQ) in Computing Studies aims to develop the skills and knowledge required to enable qualified secondary teachers to deliver the Computing curriculum in addition to their main subject. The course comprises four modules*, designed to build competency in delivering the school computing curriculum from National 4… Read more

COMPUTING STUDIES CLPL UHI
The CPD Award in Computing Studies for Teachers (2023) at The University of the Highlands and Islands

The CPD award in Computing Studies for teachers was created for primary teachers and secondary teachers for 1st and 2nd year pupils to give the confidence and skills to teach computing to pupils. More than 50% of our current cohort are primary school teachers. The course is open to any… Read more

CYBER SECURITY CLPL UHI
CLPL – Introduction to Cyber Security at UHI

This module is aimed at qualified primary and secondary teachers who wish to develop the knowledge, understanding and problem-solving skills related to teaching basic cyber security, and are configuring an environment suitable for cyber security education. The module will help develop an understanding of cyber security and cyber resilience, as… Read more

INDUSTRY IN THE CLASSROOM WITH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SCOTLAND

Skills Development Scotland have been working with people in the cyber security sector, who have unique real-world experience to share with our young people, to show them what it’s really like to work in tech. This is a great opportunity to inspire the “digital humans” of the future. Taking authentic experience of working in the digital world into the classroom gives pupils a unique chance to learn more from a seasoned professional.

By talking about their role, what they do in their job, answering students’ questions about working in tech, as well as running a live engaging tech related activity/workshop/lesson they will help pupils to understand the digital world better. Not only that, but by talking about the other teams they work with, they can introduce them to the huge variety of roles in the tech industry.

If you would like to invite industry to virtually engage with your pupils, then get in touch with Debbie McCutcheon at Skills Development Scotland.

debbie.mccutcheon@sds.co.uk

Coding Success

Coding Success programme launched

Coding Success is a new programme designed to excite 8 –
14 year olds about STEM, providing teachers with engaging
curriculum linked lesson plans and free LEGO® Education
SPIKE™ Prime kits for your classroom.
Fully funded by BAE Systems, the Royal Navy and the Royal
Air Force, Coding Success offers 600 non-selective state
schools the opportunity to take part – fuelling the passion of
young people and encouraging the next generation of
scientists, engineers and technicians.
The programme is linked to the national curricula in England,
Wales and Scotland, delivering the requirements that all
children can program. Developed in partnership with The
Smallpeice Trust and Raising Robots, Coding Success brings
together teacher training with LEGO® Education to inspire
the next generation around STEM.

Key benefits

• Attend CPD sessions with qualified teachers who are LEGO® Education Academy
Certified Trainers
• Receive two LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime kits for your school to keep
• Six lessons’ worth of coding activities, with videos, resources and more
• Fully funded by BAE Systems, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force
• Learn new coding languages in the classroom
• Optional extension activities with Python to further challenge your students

Apply now

With 300 primary and 300 secondary school places available, places will be allocated on a first
come first served basis against criteria to help ensure a good regional spread and encourage
participation from a wide range of students. Participating schools will need to attend online
training, deliver six lessons to 60 students and complete programme evaluations.
Applications open on Monday 26th April and will close on Friday 28th May 2021.

Please visit www.codingsuccess.co.uk for further information.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING – DATA SCIENCE MASTERS LEVEL MODULES AT GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) have announced a short course opportunity that will be funded by the Scottish Funding Council. The course has been designed,by GCU and will start in May 2021. Participation is entirely without charge for candidates who succeed in their application. 

GCU are particularly keen to support upskilling, curriculum future proofing in schools, career transition, career mobilisation, those at risk of unemployment.

Candidates have the opportunity to study two Masters level modules:

  • Software Development in Data Science – Starts 10 May 2021 (20 Credits at SCQF 11 )
  • Big Data Landscapes – Starts 20 September 2021 (20 Credits at SCQF 11)

 

These SFC-funded scholarships are designed to introduce learners to object-oriented programming, the programming language Python and its use for data programming and analytics.

Learners will build depth of knowledge in software programming skills and the management of data throughout its life cycle.

 

Modules are accredited and subject to assessment. Successful completion of each module will earn the learner portable academic credit. Portable academic credit may be used at a later stage towards a structured award at masters level, for example, GCU’s MSc Big Data Technologies. 

These short courses require no prerequisite knowledge; a basic understanding of matrix algebra and statistics would be advantageous. No prior experience of programming is required but learners should expect a swift learning pace. Learners without programming experience should expect to invest more time in study.

 

Find out more here:

https://www.gcu.ac.uk/study/datasciencescholarship/

 

For further information, contact Fiona.StewartKnight@gcu.ac.uk

COMPUTING SCIENCE GENDER BALANCE LESSON PLANS

Computing Science Gender Balance Lesson Plans

Research tells us that more boys achieve computing qualifications than girls. There can be many reasons for this and in order to help you mitigate some of these gender imbalances we have curated this folder of lesson plans and resources to support them. They have been curated to help you ensure your Computing Science lessons are as accessible and engaging to learners regardless of their gender.

Find out more abour Improving Gender Balance support here.

BEBRAS COMPUTATIONAL THINKING CHALLENGE – TEACHING PROBLEM SOLVING

The Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge is a great resource to develop your learners logical reasoning and pattern spotting skills for computational thinking and problem solving. Not only are those skills useful for computing science and maths, but also cyber security.

You can have a go at previous years’ challenges (no signup required) or you can register for their annual competition in November. The questions are in the form of engaging puzzles that start off relatively easy – so every student can have a go and should get something out of the competition.

Try out previous year’s challenges here.

We know lots of schools in Scotland engage with Bebras every year and some have shared their story with us Get in touch with us to let us know how your learners engaged with it and how you fared with the resources or the challenge.

CREATIVE COMPUTING SCIENCE AT STEWARTON ACADEMY

Fraser McKay, Computing Teacher at Stewarton Academy takes some time to talk about Computing Science delivery in the school.  Fraser discusses gender balance, escape rooms and physical computing among other topics,  We also hear from students in S2 and S5 about their experiences. in the course of these 3 videos.

Stewarton Academy is in East Ayrshire.

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ea/stewartonacademysite2016/