Computing Science in Scotland – Update

Over the next few months, we will be hosting a number of events to support Computing Science education in Scotland. These events include

  • Computing Science Week(s)
  • In Person Computing Science Conferences
  • Pilot Review of Computing Science education as part of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle 
  • Chat CST – A virtual sharing practice event for Computing Science Teachers
  • Live Lesson Programme

Read on to find out more about each event and how to take part…

Computing Science Week(s)

Now in it’s third year, Computing Science Week is bigger than ever before.  Now spanning over two weeks between 4th and 15th November 2024, we will be hosting a number of live lessons for teachers and learners to take part in during the day followed by professional learning sessions for educators after school.

These two weeks have been broadly arranged into a ‘No Code / Low Code’ week (4-9 Nov) and a Coding week (11-15 Nov)

During the first week, we will be running sessions around computational thinking, data science and tech for connectivity, with a bit of Scratch Jr and Microbit in there!

 

The second week will more focussed on code based activities for different ability groups and will feature sessions using Scratch, Web Development, Swift Playgrounds and AI.

Look out for the full programme of events coming soon!

In Person Computing Science Conference

The 2nd annual computing conference, organised by Education Scotland, is open to all early years practitioners, primary school teachers, and secondary school teachers who teach computing.

During this unmissable event, you will have the opportunity to hear from industry experts who will share insights into future career prospects and to attend practical breakout sessions designed to empower you with innovative teaching methods for the classroom,

The conference will be held on Saturday 9th November at 10am simultaneously at the following venues, all with live in person workshops;

  • West College Scotland – Abercorn Building – Renfrew Road, Paisley PA3 4DR
  • West Lothian College – Almondvale Crescent, Livingston, EH54 7EP
  • University of Abertay – Bell Street, Dundee DD1 1HG

When registering, you can choose the nearest venue to you.

The proposed agenda for the day is as follows

  • 9:30am Arrival. Registration and refreshments
  • 9:45am Welcome
  • 10:00am Keynote: Ollie Bray Strategic Director Education Scotland (streamed to all venues)
    11:00am-11:45pm
     Workshop Session 1
  • 11:55pm – 12:40pm Workshop Session 2
  • 12:45pm Lunch (provided)
  • 1:45pm – 2:30pm Workshop Session 3
  • 2:30pm Networking Event

When you complete registration, you will be forwarded to a Microsoft Form to allow you to select the three workshops that best suit your needs from a list and to allow you to select your dietary requirements.

Register for the conference

Computing Science – Pilot Curriculum Review

The 2021 OECD report on Scotland’s curriculum recognised the strengths of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), and made a range of recommendations to ensure that this strength would persist into the future including: “Develop a systematic approach to curriculum review. Scotland could consider establishing a curriculum review cycle with a planned timeframe and specific review agenda, led by the specialist stand-alone agency”.   
 

In line with this recommendation Education Scotland, along with STACS,  are undertaking a pilot curriculum review of Computing Science.  Education Scotland invites teachers across all sectors (including PTs/FHs, DHTs and HTs), ELC practitioners, local authorities, colleges, universities and other key stakeholders to apply to be part of this workshop. The workshop will take place on the 26th November 2024 from 10am until 3:30pm in Glasgow.

We anticipate high demand for this event and want to ensure that as many sectors, experience and geographic locations are represented. 

It would be useful to seek permission to attend this event prior to completing this form.

Please register your interest here before midnight on Sunday 3rd November 2024.  You will be contacted if you have been allocated a place at this workshop by Friday 8th November 2024.


More information about the curriculum improvement cycle can be found here

Register your interest in the review

Chat CST – A virtual sharing practice event for Computing Science Teachers

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
Spending time with peers discussing your subject is invaluable.  Recently, we were delighted to support and take part in Tech Talks –  a virtual event for design and technology teachers in Scotland.  
The event contained 12 15 minute presentations.  All the presentations were done by Design and Technology teachers (apart from Daydream Believers and a lecturer from Edinburgh University)  Essentially, each gave a 10 minute presentation and 5 mins for questions.

We are keen to host a similar event for Computing Science teachers towards the end of November / beginning of December that focusses on Planning, Learning, Teaching and Assessment.

We are currently gauging interest in this event via poll in Computing Science Glow Team.  All secondary teacher in Scotland who teach Computing can request to join this team. If you are member of this team, please indicate your interest here

Go to Glow Team Poll

Live Lessons supporting Computing Science

Our live lesson programme kicked off again in August this year.  We have been delighted to have a huge numbers of schools and learners join us and our very special presenters for live lessons already!    

woman sitting at a laptop

Our programme continues to evolve and grow so do look out for future sessions you and your learners can take part in!

Next Month

Later This Year