In May 2022, every school in Scotland received 20 V.2 micro:bits, thanks to a partnership between The Micro:Bit Education Foundation, Nominet and The Scottish Government.  Additionally, primary schools received 20 additional micro:bits as part funding secured by Education Scotland and Scottish Government. Alongside this roll out, a programme of free comprehensive teaching resources and professional learning for all educators was delivered.

This year, we were also delighted to work with the BBC micro:bit – the next gen project.  This partnership between BBC Education, The Micro:bit Educational Foundation and Nominet allowed every primary school to sign up and receive  set of 30 micro:bits .

The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together. It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors, built-in microphone and speaker, and many input/output features that, when programmed, let it interact with you and your world.

To support the use and delivery of micro:bit in schools, we have worked in partnership to deliver a range of CLPL activities and pupil engagement sessions. These have included

• Resources and professional learning to get started with microbit.org/primary
• Professional learning courses from micro:bit – Micro:bit Educational Foundation (thinkific.com)
• 3 part CLPL course, This is Micro:bit (see below) 
• The Micro:bit Education Foundation provides extensive access to learning resources, ideas, and support to help get practitioners and learners started using the devices or to move onto more complex projects using the micro:bit.
• Barefoot have created lesson plans to support outdoor learning with the micro:bit for ages 7 – 11.
• Our national computing science glow teams community for ELC & primary educators here.

We have also been hugely fortunate to have Dr Lorna Gibson deliver a variety of micro:bit code alongs over the past few years.  These codealong sessions have been very popular and well received by learners and teachers. Since October 2022, over 12,000 learners have joined one or our micro:bit codealongsI

Check out some of these codealongs here

Getting Started – This is Micro:Bit

This is Micro:Bit Workshop 1

This is Micro:bit Workshop 2

This is Micro:bit Workshop 3

We were delighted to be able to support and deliver a day long professional workshop with all staff of Kingswells Primary School.  We were asked to facilitate this activity after delivering an information session to colleagues at Aberdeen Digital Learning Live.

This day long workshop guided all staff through practical, hands on activities to develop and explore their Computing Science skills.  Hands on sessions were split into lower and upper primary staff.

The Upper Primary staff experienced the following:

Building and coding physical solutions using micro:bit – Utilising  common low cost materials to build real world projects eg going beyond putting code onto the microbit and building objects that people can interact with

Bringing real world objects into Scratch programs – being able to draw/sketch/make real world objects and designs, capture these and import them into a scratch project – allowing discussions to take place about various CS concepts such as storage, graphic file types while consolidating coding concepts

Coding AI Solutions – a guided tour around machinelearningforkids and short workshop creating and using an AI model, focussing on AI themes such as bias, knowledge bases and uncertainty.

Integrating microbit into Scratch projects – connecting micro:bit to scratch projects allowing for a wider range of creative opportunities with code.

Designing and Prototyping – a focussed session looking at user interface design / user experience / structure of a digital product (eg app or website) / integration of multiple media types.  In this session we used presentation software such as powerpoint/google slides and repurposed the tool to create prototype mobile apps

We also had the opportunity to discuss progression, particularly with microbit experiences

The lower primary staff explored how to blend creativity and computational thinking. 

Using tools built into the iPad, either using Keynote or PowerPoint via Glow, we explored how to creating an app prototype to showcase skills or knowledge in a particular topic, can be an excellent showcase of pupil knowledge and understanding. We explored using hyperlinks to create basic navigation, buttons, content, context, and how to develop learner resiliency if something goes wrong or works unexpectedly.

The below example is an excellent showcase of how a basic bug curation app, can develop computational thinking skills, such as:

• Decomposition
• Problem solving
• Logical thinking
• Debugging

App Prototyping Example

Feedback from the event has been extremely positive.

I just wanted to say thank you again for coming to us on the In Service day. You wouldn’t believe the buzz in our school for computing science at the moment – it is brilliant. On Monday one of our P4 teachers did an easter egg hunt around the school using the radio transmitter on micro bits – you can imagine the excitement! We are in the process of gathering evidence for a film for you from throughout the school but I thought I’d send you this little taster from P4.

 

I thought I’d send you some links to another couple of films which were made after follow up from your input. A lot more has gone on across the school but we haven’t captured everything. I also thought you might be interested to know that we have been using the progression you shared with me. Last week we had a staff meeting on it and I invited staff to personalise it to our school with anything they felt we needed to add. After a lot of discussion the consensus was that they don’t feel it needs any personalising at all. We plan to link some of the skills to our other planners/bundles to help with connections across learning

Micro:Bit Resources suggested

A really simple wallet Wallet (microbit.org)

Make a watch The Watch (microbit.org)

Two player game Reaction Time (microbit.org)

Measure soil moisture Soil Moisture (microbit.org)

Timing gates Timing Gates (microbit.org)

Banana keyboard Banana Keyboard (microbit.org)

Make an electric guitar Electric Guitar (microbit.org)

DigiLearnScot have been delivering live lessons across the country to support the delivery and professional learning of digital skills and Computing Science.  These live lessons have been aimed at learners and teachers in the BGE.

Since October 2022, we, along with partners such as Barefoot Computing, Microbit Educational Foundation, Tech She Can, MakeItHappen, Daydream Believers and many others, 41 live lessons have been delivered, engaging almost 48,000 learners.  Over these 41 lessons, 1990 teachers from 1900 schools have taken part.

Many of our live lessons were delivered during our focus weeks.  We have had focus weeks on

• Cyber
• Digital Literacy
• Computing Science
• Artificial Intelligence

These focus weeks involved code/create-a-long activities during the day for teachers and their classes to join and take part in, followed by professional learning and sharing practice sessions in the evening for teachers.

Our most recent Computing Science Week in November 2023 saw practical code and create a long sessions as well as some unplugged activities broadly suitable for BGE learners, and two especially for early level learners.

Topics covered during this week included

• Data Science
• Coding
• Design
• Prototyping
• Physical Computing
• Unplugged Computational Thinking

This week would not have been possible without the support from:

• Daniel Devine, Craig Steele (Digital Skills Education, Data Education in Schools)
• Dr Amanda Ford (West College Scotland)
• Suzanne Lustenhouwer (Apple Distinguished Educator)
• Helen Orde, Roddy Graham, Catherine Little, Suzanne Pritchard and Paul Graham (Inspire Academy, Scottish Borders)
• Callum Croughan, Mary Frances Stewart, Zoe Shanks and Alistair Mackay (Digital School Digital Pedagogy Practitioners, North Lanarkshire)
• Dr Lorna Gibson (Micro:bit Educational Foundation)
• Kate Farrell and Jasmeen Kanwal (Data Education in Schools project at the University of Edinburgh)
• Isabella Lieghio, (Education Consultant, Icon Learning/Barefoot Volunteer)
• Francisca Carocca & Jessica Blake-West, (DevTech Research Group, directed by Dr. Marina Bers in Boston College)

Content and recording from this week can be found here

For the first time this year,  in March we ran a focus week on AI in Schools.  A full recap of sessions can be found here.

The Live Lesson Programme for this week involved

• Building AI Solutions – a code along activity using machinelearningforkids
• AI Maze – finding the ethical exit
• AI Wonderland with MakeItHappen
• Tech For Gen AI with with TechSheCan

We had over 6500 learners and their teachers join these create a long sessions.

The teacher CLPL offer during this week saw 9 professional learning and sharing practice sessions taking place around the use of generative AI in Scottish schools and potential for change.  Over 120 teachers joined us for these events and many more have watched on catch up via our youtube channel.

Feedback From Live Events

• Our S2 Pupils really enjoyed the lesson, they enjoyed coding along and learning as they were coding – there was plenty time for them to go back and get the code to work. They spent the next period adding to their maze games to make it their own. some added enemies, others added ways to lose points.
• This was P3s first introduction to Micro:bit (apart from those who came to my code club last year). They were so excited and desperate to keep their Hot Potato games in class so they can play with them. When I asked if they wanted to learn more with the Micro:bit there was a resounding cheer. Thank you for running the code-along – it made it feel really special for them!
• P5 thought it was good and we had to listen to answer questions. It was good to learn how to make games. We would like to do more of these.
• My P7s really enjoyed the live lesson on Data Selfies. They were all very engaged and the instructions were really clear and easy to follow. Great session.
• Great session very inspiring for the pupils
• Pupils engaged well in the lesson. Want to go on and make games.
• Learners were really engaged and enjoyed using the coding. It was set at a really good pace for them and pitched just right for Primary 6. Looking forward to our next session!
• Loved the session. As someone who knows how important it is for pupils to learn about the digital world but has absolutely NO ability to teach code it was the perfect mix of challenge, fun and accessibility for my class. Thank you
• A brilliant lesson! Delivered by experts it meant that everything was clear for the children and myself. It has encouraged me to sign up for more events like this. We will continue to develop our selfies tomorrow. Thank you both!
• Excellent presentation- very engaging for students to watch. Shout outs and exploring individuals work – gave it a “real live” feeling.
• Our class just loved collaborating with everyone in the chat ! Great start to computing science week for us thank you!
• It was enjoyable. The instructions were clear and the activity was fun and gave us a lot of choice when programming. Thank you
• Children really enjoyed creating their own AI classroom. The speed of the tutorial was quite quick especially during the scratch session but since I had tested the website before the lesson I was able to assist. Great lesson-that kept the children engaged. Thank you!
• Great session. First time class have used scratch and loved it. We are now planning on exploring program more.
• A really good lesson on using coding. Pupils found it quite challenging, in a good way, and it led to lots of questioning/discussion around coding. Thank you😊
• Thank you! We learned loads. Can’t wait to finish our apps
• Very engaging and fast paced. Some good follow up information which we will access especially Keynote. Really enjoyed. Engaging and clear.
• The children really enjoyed it. It was great to find out other resources that schools are using across Scotland.
• Children absolutely loved this.

Computing CPD Awards for teachers Inverness College UHI

To find out more about these qualifications, contact Gordon Macpherson Gordon.MacPherson.ic@uhi.ac.uk

Additional Teaching Qualification (ATQ) in Computing Studies CPD Award

Visit: CPD Award Additional Teaching Qual in Computing Studies (uhi.ac.uk)

This qualification enables qualified secondary teachers to add Computing Studies as a second subject to their secondary teaching registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

The continuing shortage of Computing Science teachers has resulted in a  decline in schools offering computing beyond SCQF level 4. This in turn has reduced the number of young people choosing careers in the Computing  and Digital technologies sector. This innovative programme was initially created in response to a request from Highland Council to create an additional teaching qualification to allow existing, qualified, secondary teachers to be able to add Computing to their initial qualification. The course started in 2019 with one module being taught each semester over 2 years, allowing students to achieve 80 credits at SCQF level 8 in the required subjects for GTCS registration. Once the programme was underway it was advertised across Scotland and continues to attract applicants nationwide.

This enables more schools to offer Computing Science as a subject: to encourage young people to consider a career in the sector and enable secondary schools to  provide a curriculum that is responsive to the needs of employers in the area.

Workload was manageable each week. Having the lectures recorded meant that you were able to watch them when suitable

The programme is designed for national, blended delivery, taught at a time suitable for teachers in secondary schools and designed specifically for the Computing Studies Curriculum. The programme provides them with the knowledge, skills and degree level qualifications required to provisionally register as a teacher of Computing with the GTCS. The participants will then undertake an agreed number of teaching days in Computing Science to complete full GTCS registration for Computing.

There have been twenty-three successful graduates of the programme with eighteen currently either staring in September 24 or progressing to their next module. Market demand for the ATQ programme is steady. It is a rolling programme with only one module being taught each semester. This allows teachers to join at a time convenient for themselves and means the cohort of students is always being refreshed.

CPD award in Computing Studies for Teachers

Visit: CPD Award Computing Studies for Teachers (uhi.ac.uk)

The success of the ATQ programme allowed the course team to develop a general CPD award for all teachers interested in teaching computing. With funding support from Education Scotland, the BCS The Chartered Institute of IT and Microsoft the CPD award in Computing Studies for Teachers was developed and delivery commenced January 2020. This award is of a similar make up to the ATQ award but pitched at a lower level (SCQF7) to allow all teachers (primary and secondary) to gain the skills and confidence to teach the basics of computing. 

Thoroughly enjoyed this course even though I thought it was going to be a bit daunting with distance learning

The programme has had 16 successful graduates and feedback for the programme was very positive, however due to the pandemic the interest waned, and it did not run in 21-22. The current plan is to offer the course in September 24-25 for teachers interested in developing their CPD.

CPD award Introduction to Cyber Security

Visit: CPD Award Introduction to Cyber Security (uhi.ac.uk)

Feedback from stakeholders and students alike for the above CPD awards was positive and with the support of Education Scotland this allowed the team to continue to develop the Introduction to Cyber Security award designed for all teachers to develop the knowledge and understanding around Cyber Security and Cyber resilience and to build confidence to raise the awareness and importance of these topics to everyone. Since its first delivery in 2021 there have been 80 teachers enrolled on the programme 66 being successful in achieving the award.

Due to the continuing support of Education Scotland funding has been secured for places on the Introduction to Cyber Security course so demand is still high. Another 20 funded places have been secured for 24-25 and despite the current financial situation, Education Scotland see this as an important CPD course for all teachers and plan to continue to fund it.

I just wanted to re-iterate how great it all was and how much I have enjoyed the Cyber Security course.  It is exactly what is needed and directly feeds into what folks need to do in schools.  I hope more teachers take the opportunity in the new academic year.

The students enjoy the online asynchronous nature of the delivery of all three programmes and the opportunity to create materials they could use in the classroom as assessments for the modules. They also enjoy the support of their lecturers and each other through online chats and tutorials.

The KPIs for all the courses are year on year high. This has been reflected on by the course team and the external examiners. It has been agreed the main reason being due to the educational background and ability of students to be assessed on materials they have created which they can use in the classroom. The external examiners over the years have given positive feedback at exam boards regarding the quality of work and assessment types.

Retention

• Retention for the ATQ programme is high as the students have a clear aim in mind when enrolling for the course to become dual qualified and able to teach computing or develop their computing skills. Feedback on the course has been consistently high and students who have left without being successful highlight work commitments or promotions preventing them from achieving their award. While the award consists of 4 separate modules occasionally a student will enrol for a particular module and while they will achieve their module they will show as not being successful for the award.
• As the CPD award for teachers was a 2-module course running one module at a time retention as high due to students wanting to improve their computing skills.
• The Introduction to Cyber Security CPD award is a single module running over a semester therefore retention was not an issue.

The student profile is more evenly balanced than you would usually find on computing courses which should in future help address the gender bias in computing applications with more female teachers becoming dual qualified. Total gender split below since courses began.

CPD Award                       68% female        32% male

ATQ Award                       52.5% female    45% male           2.5% prefer not to say.

Cyber Award                    52% female        48% male

Very few students have raised any additional support needs or concerns regarding the online materials. As the Programme Leader is also the PAT for these awards any support needs which are raised are shared with the relevant module leaders when necessary. All students have access to the university’s available tailored additional support, additional time for assessments, mitigating circumstances etc all of which is highlighted at induction and throughout the course.

Future Plans

The aim of these awards is to raise the skill set of teachers across Scotland to allow schools to offer more computing related subjects to pupils from Primary 5 upwards. While these courses are popular there is room for improvement due to their online asynchronous delivery allowing larger class sizes.

Education Scotland have been very supportive over the years and the team aim to continue sourcing funding options to help develop and deliver other courses in this curriculum area to help enhance our FE and HE applications.