Top tips for getting the most out of our on-demand CPD offer
The National Centre for Computing Education’s (NCCE’s) hugely popular computing and computer science courses have had a makeover, meaning you can access on-demand learning wherever you are and whoever you teach.
Whether you're new to teaching computing/computer science or an experienced computing leader, here are our top tips to help you make the most of these new and improved on-demand courses and take your knowledge to the next level.
1. Identify the right course
Before diving into any CPD, it’s helpful to identify what you want to achieve from it.
Are you looking to improve your programming skills? Understand computational thinking? Learning how to use different software to teach the computing in your classroom more effectively? Knowing what you want to learn will help you choose the right courses and stay focused, giving you all the necessary tools to succeed!
With our filterable list of courses for all stages, you can tailor your search and make sure you’re getting the most out of your CPD.
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2. Create a CPD schedule
Consistency is key to learning and retaining knowledge. Try allocating specific times in your weekly schedule for CPD activities, treating the sessions as regular meetings or appointments to ensure you stay committed and make steady progress.
By creating a schedule tailored to you and your goals, you’ll make upskilling in computing a habit more achievable than ever.
3. Engage actively
Active engagement enhances what you take away from your learning. Some ways that you can ensure you’re making the most out of your remote CPD session include:
- taking notes on your learning, using our course reflection grids
- completing the interactive tasks
- adding your ideas to the collaborative Padlet
- participating in discussion forums
These are designed to support your learning of the content, reinforce your understanding, and make the CPD more relevant to your school and existing knowledge.
4. Collaborate with your colleagues
Sharing your CPD experiences with other teachers in your school can lead to new insights, spurring you on to new ways of working and teaching computing and computer science.
Consider teaming up with others in your school or local area through a CPD study group to support each other along the way and share best practices.
5. Use the STEM Community
With the online STEM Community, you can join a variety of groups and forums - like the Teaching and Leading Primary Computing group - related to computing from your fingertips.
The platform has been designed to help you access support, resources, and networking opportunities outside of the classroom, with lots of experienced teachers and leaders keen to answer your computing related questions.
The best bit? Engaging with these communities can offer you a newfound perspective, enhancing not only your teaching but your career development and professional network.
Networking with teachers across the UK has never been easier!
6. Reflect and review
Making it a habit to regularly reflect on what you've learned and how it shapes your teaching approach is vital to long-term understanding and application. By consistently reviewing your progress and adjusting your goals, you'll not only propel your growth but also ensure that the material stays relevant and impactful for your students.
Additionally, you have one year to access the course, even if you have already completed it! As a result, you’ll be able to revisit and revise the material at your leisure, when you need it most.
7. Evaluate your learning
At the end of each course you complete with us, you’ll gain the opportunity to evaluate your learning through a short survey. Taking part will help you reflect on how the CPD has improved your knowledge and skills in computing and let us know how to keep improving our courses for teachers like you.
To go one step further, why not consider how you can share your learning with others in your school?
8. Celebrate your achievements
Completing a CPD course and successfully implementing a new teaching approach deserves a celebration! Recognising your success will keep you motivated and enthusiastic about teaching computing while also helping you to improve your overall computing provision.
Upon completion of one of our primary and secondary certification programmes, you’ll even earn a badge to show off both at school and online!
By following these tips, you can maximise the benefits of our on-demand CPD no matter the stage you teach, supporting you in providing the best learning experience for pupils in your school.