Teaching Physical Computing to 5- to 11-year-olds
CO043 Online course
Teach your young learners how to create electronic circuits, then learn to control them using block-based programming languages.
Skip to course bookingLearn how to create physical computing projects using a Crumble or micro:bit
Gain an understanding of inputs and outputs
Learn how to adapt your lessons for young learners, with Raspberry Pi
Who is it for?
This course is designed for educators of all types, in schools or informal settings.
It will help you begin your physical computing journey and use physical computing to help to teach young children how to program.
Topics covered
- Using physical computing devices in primary school
- Using a Crumble to light LEDs and turn motors
- Using buttons and sensors as inputs to a Crumble
- The programming concepts of sequence, repetition, selection, and using variables
- Builidng a buggy with a Crumble
- An introductino to Micro:bit
How will you learn?
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
Course leaders
Primary computing specialist teacher, working with schools and universities to support computing curriculum development and online safety. Barefoot and NCCE content writer, CAS Master teacher and ADE.
Outcomes
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Evaluate different commercially available physical computing tools
- Apply your programming knowledge to control digital inputs and outputs
- Develop physical computing projects using a Crumble microcontroller from task to completed build
- Demonstrate how to use the micro:bit MakeCode editor and emulator
- Design suitable physical computing projects for your learning context
- Reflect on your learning and create ideas for your classroom practice
This course is part of Teach primary computing
Teach primary computing
Our nationally recognised qualification will support you to demonstrate your commitment to developing your own practice and to computing as a school subject.
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