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Author: George Milliken
Computing Science CLPL
Available professional learning
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- Computing Science Scotland 2023 Many thanks to the learners, educators and presenters that made #CSScotland23 a success! Between 6th-10th November 2023, 9658 learners from 384 schools from 29 local authorities took part in our live… …
- Recap Huge thanks to Data Education in Schools for running this session! Agents K (Kate Farrell) and J (Jasmeen Kanwall) guided recruits through a series of taxing problems during this escape room event. Brief: You… …
- Recap on session and resources During this session, Brian explored machine learning using the website machinelearningforkids.co.uk. Learners were guided through one activity where learners trained a machine learning model to recognise different ways someone might… …
- Recap Lorna Gibson from the Micro:Bit Education Foundation guided learners through a coding activity to turn you micro:bit into a (virtual!) hot potato! This particular activity looks at using loops and variables to create a… …
- Callum Croughan, Mary Frances Stewart, Zoe Shanks and Alistair Mackay – Digital School Digital Pedagogy Practitioners guided learners through building a maze game using Makecode Arcade Learners explored aspects of computing science such as variables,… …
- This live lesson saw Craig and Daniel from Cyber Skills Live guide participants through using data about themselves to create an abstract self portrait using code. (This is activity 5 on the website). All of… …
- Resources from Games Design Workshops 6/11/23 and 8/11/23 Amanda Ford from West College Scotland took participants through Game Design techniques focussing on the purpose and scope of the game, followed by a session on level… …
- Resources from App Prototyping Workshop from 8/11/23 We hope you enjoyed the app prototyping session with our colleagues from Inspire Learning in the Scottish Borders. The presentation from the Inspire Learning team can be found… …
- Join us and our partners from across the country to celebrate Computing Science! For the week of Monday 6th - Friday 10th November 2023, we are delighted to be delivering a host of live lessons… …
- 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… …
A ‘Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract’ Approach to early level Computing Science
There are clear similarities with the order and progression of early level Computing Science and early level Numeracy and Maths play and learning.
We can use a concrete – pictorial – abstract concept in Computing Science, similar to how we introduce mathematical concepts e.g. counting concrete objects such as pebbles, progressing onto subitising with visuals or with dice then finally counting in our heads with no prompts to help us.
In early level Computing Science, we begin to learn about algorithms. We look at the concrete stage as using our bodies, physical devices and objects we can physically manipulate. We might explore the range of activities from Barefoot Computing, Hello Ruby and CS Unplugged. We do not need programmable devices to delve into early level computing science. We can even explore algorithms through dancing!
At the pictorial stage, we are looking at block-based coding and using visuals suitable for pre-readers, e.g., pictorial algorithms such as visual timetables and simple sequences of instructions for baking and creating and retelling stories. We might also begin to explore coding apps such as Scratch Jnr and websites such as Code.org
Later on, in the abstract stage, we are looking at more complex coding, with fewer pictures and more words, introducing coding languages, such as Javascript and Python.
ELC Independent Learning Pathway
This webinar was delivered to raise and support practitioner awareness of the National advice, guidance and where to access a wealth of free learning and teaching resources to embed computing science at early level. This session welcomed practitioners working with learners are in ELC or Primary School AND all other practitioners who work with learners at any level, with an interest in creatively embedding computing science their learning environment.
This webinar focussed on how we create experiences and spaces that allows computing science to be embedded at the early level through play and where we can access a wealth of free learning and teaching resources to embed unplugged computing science at the early level. It explored a range of unplugged activity ideas and the concepts, approaches and key vocabulary of computational thinking.
In this webinar recording, we explore programmable devices and online coding and computing science resources/apps and discuss how to introduce them via play at early level. This webinar builds on content delivered in the prior two webinars.
Additional live code-along and play-along webinar recordings.
Computing Science information and resources
Introducing computing technology in the world all around us.
Nina and the Neurons: Go Digital – CBeebies – BBC
What is digital technology? – BBC Bitesize
What is a computer system? – BBC Bitesize
What are computer games? – BBC Bitesize
Software – 1st level Computing Science and ICT – BBC Bitesize
BBC Learning – What Is Coding – Rumpus
What’s inside a computer? | Hello Ruby (loosely based, could model, paint, build)
Introducing Unplugged Computing Science with downloadable resources.
Direction/arrow algorithm cards/visuals
BeeBot mat scenes (communication4all.co.uk)
Human Codeapillar cards (by Judi Regan Tayside)
Codeapillar challenge cards (by Judi Regan Tayside)
Codeapillar SLF handout (Judi Regan Tayside)
Introducing pictorial/visual coding through websites and apps.
Further reading and research for practitioners.
An overview of Computational Thinking in Early Years | Resources | Barefoot Computing
Computational thinking for pre-schoolers — Hello World (raspberrypi.org)
An introduction to unplugged coding for preschool children — Hello World (raspberrypi.org)
From Fakebot to Bee-Bot — Hello World (raspberrypi.org)
What Does Computing Science Look Like at early level?
Many of the concepts and approaches of Computing Science will already be familiar to you. By looking at the Sway and video below, and on the ELC Computing Science Learning Pathway page, we think you will recognise that you are already embedding Computing Science through play, perhaps without even realising it, in your environment, daily interactions and experiences you provide for the children in your care.
How can we ensure children are growing up to be creative thinkers and problem solvers?
We can provide them with the opportunities, the time and the space to explore, tinker, investigate and experiment!
Secondary Computing Science
What are you looking for today?
Primary Computing Science
This section aims to provide quick links to useful resources and information for primary teachers who teach computing science.
Block-based coding platforms
micro:bit
Cyber Security in the BGE (This is Cyber)
This session is part of the This is Developing Your Digital Literacy Curriculum CLPL programme. Participants explore the digital skills and knowledge required for being as safe and secure online as possible, with skills for now and the future with ‘big ideas’ like:
- What are children and young people doing online?
- How can I keep up with all the new apps, websites and games learners use?
- What can I do to help keep them safe online?
Examples of digital literacy partners, resources and planning will be shared.
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Develop and Deliver Your School’s Cyber Resilience/Internet Safety Message (This is Cyber)
20/09/23 and 01/02/24
This session is part of the This is Developing Your Digital Literacy Curriculum CLPL programme. Participants explore the digital skills and knowledge required for being as safe and secure online as possible, with skills for now and the future with ‘big ideas’ like:
- What are children and young people doing online?
- How can I keep up with all the new apps, websites and games learners use?
- What can I do to help keep them safe online?
Examples of digital literacy partners, resources and planning will be shared.
Sign up soon
Managing and Supporting Cyber Issues (This is Cyber)
This session is part of the This is Cyber Resilience/Internet Safety CLPL programme. Participants explore the digital skills and knowledge required for being as safe and secure online as possible, with skills for now and the future with ‘big ideas’ like:
- What are children and young people doing online?
- How can I keep up with all the new apps, websites and games learners use?
- What can I do to help keep them safe online?
Examples of digital literacy partners, resources and planning will be shared.
Sign up soon
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