Computing in Primary Schools: teacher survival kit EARLY LEVEL

This series of resources is designed to lay the foundations of learners developing an understanding of what computers are and how they work. This level introduces the concepts of:

  • computers are machines designed to do jobs
  • computers have instructions to tell them how to do those jobs

The learning will be about identifying the different jobs computers do in their lives and the wider world. It is important to link between the physical computer (parts) and the instructions (apps/software) that controls them.

 

 

For the teacher

For the teacher:
Computers are machines that are designed to do specific jobs. Some computers, such as tablets, mobile phones and PCs, are general purpose and can do many things. Others are dedicated and only do one job, such as washing machines, air traffic control or a wristwatch.

Every device is made of components called hardware which make up the physical computer system. Every computer then needs instructions to control the hardware, this is called software but more recently the term ‘app’ is used (short for application, another name for software). 

Apps, or software, is written in a special language called code which helps the user to give the computer instructions in English-like language, which would otherwise have to be written using complex maths. 

Identifying computers and what they do

These links explain what computers are:

What is a computer system? – BBC Bitesize 

What is digital technology? – BBC Bitesize 

 

These activities provide a concrete learning experience for learners

Ruby – computer safari  

Ruby – make computer model  

Computers have instructions to tell them what to do

What is a computer program? – BBC Bitesize 

 

 Sequencing with Scrat #4 – Code.org 

Checking learning

Learners should understand that computers are used in the world all around them and can classify things which have computers in them, are computers or are not computers:

They should also be able to differentiate and sort computer technology as being a computer or an app: