How to use the Teach Computing Curriculum and Isaac Computer Science to save you time
In the fast-paced world of teaching, time is a precious commodity. For educators, balancing lesson planning, marking, and delivering engaging lessons can be a challenge. Fortunately, the Teach Computing Curriculum and Isaac Computer Science resources are here to help save time and enhance teaching efficiency.
Comprehensive curriculum planning
The Teach Computing Curriculum offers a structured and comprehensive plan for teaching computing and computer science from key stage 1 right through to key stage 4. This ready-made curriculum saves you time on planning and ensures that you cover all necessary content systematically.
Use the pre-made lesson plans and schemes of work available on the curriculum via our site, or our new and updated Teach Computing Curriculum maps available from your nearest Computing Hub. These resources are designed to align with the national curriculum, providing you with a clear roadmap for your teaching.
High-quality lesson resources
Isaac Computer Science is a free online platform designed to support A level and GCSE students and teachers with high-quality computer science resources. It offers comprehensive, exam-board-aligned content that covers key topics in computer science, making it an essential tool for both students and teachers of computer science.
Isaac Computer Science can save you up to three hours per week, according to the Isaac Computer Science 2024 Annual Survey.
The platform provides a wealth of high-quality resources, including detailed explanations, interactive exercises, and quizzes. These materials can be directly integrated into computer science lessons, reducing the time spent on resource creation. Incorporate Isaac Computer Science resources into your lesson plans.
Activities such as this drag and drop data storage activity for A level are the perfect starting point if you're looking to introduce homework assignments to bolster student learning outside of the classroom!
Streamlined assessment and feedback
Assessment is a critical part of teaching, but it can be time-consuming. Isaac Computer Science offers automated activities and exam style questions that can be accessed through the question finder. These provide instant feedback to students, allowing you to quickly gauge their understanding and identify key areas for improvement.
By assigning quizzes from Isaac Computer Science, you can monitor student progression and use results as part of your formative assessment strategy. The instant feedback helps students self-assess and track their progress, freeing up your time for more focused interventions.
Professional development on demand
The National Centre for Computing Education offers a range of CPD (Continuous Professional Development) courses that are designed to fit into your busy schedules. These courses cover various aspects of Computer Science teaching, from fundamental concepts to advanced pedagogical techniques, helping teachers stay updated without sacrificing too much of their time. You can participate in online CPD courses anytime and anywhere, making it easier to balance professional development with your day-to-day teaching responsibilities.
Engaging students with interactive learning
Engaging students is key to effective teaching, and interactive learning resources can make a huge difference. Isaac Computer Science provides interactive exercises that make learning more engaging and enjoyable for students, helping them grasp complex concepts more easily. An example of this is the ‘try it yourself’ section in GCSE Number Representation - why not try it out for yourself and your students this term?
You can use the platform’s interactive resources during lessons to maintain student engagement and facilitate active learning. This approach not only saves you time on preparation but also enhances the overall learning experience.
Tailored resources for different levels
Both The National Centre for Computing Education and Isaac Computer Science offer resources tailored to different levels of education. Whether you are teaching primary, secondary, or A level students, you can find materials specifically designed to meet their needs by choosing GCSE topics or A level topics. These handy tools enable teachers to select the resources that match their students’ educational levels and needs. This targeted approach ensures that your students are always working with materials that are appropriate for their learning stage, saving you time on customisation.
Ready to get started?
Let this term be the time you start taking full advantage of the time-saving benefits offered by the Teach Computing Curriculum and Isaac Computer Science resources. By integrating these platforms into your teaching practice, you can streamline your workload, enhance your lessons, and focus more on what truly matters – inspiring and educating your students.
* Please note that you must register for an account on both The National Centre of Computing Education website and Isaac Computer Science to access the full range of resources and CPD opportunities.