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Developing children's understanding of data in primary computing

CO046 Online course

Develop your understanding of data in primary computing. Explore progression, common misconceptions and practical approaches to help pupils interpret and use data meaningfully.

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Data & information Key stage 1 Key stage 2 Teach primary computing certificate
Free online course 4 hours

Data is a fundamental concept within primary computing that helps children make sense of information, identify patterns, answer questions, and make decisions. As the importance of data and data science continues to grow, pupils need opportunities to move beyond simply collecting and presenting information towards interpreting, questioning, and using data meaningfully.Develop your understanding of data across the primary curriculum and explore how children's understanding progresses from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2. You will examine how data is generated and represented in different contexts, identify common misconceptions that can arise when pupils work with data, and consider practical approaches for supporting all learners to engage successfully with data concepts.Through classroom examples and evidence-informed strategies, you will explore how data learning connects with computing, mathematics, and science, helping pupils develop the knowledge and skills needed for future learning in data science, digital literacy, and computational thinking. 

Who is it for?

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 teachers, primary computing leaders. 

Topics covered

  • Understanding data in the primary curriculum
  • Data and the foundations of data science
  • Progression in data learning across KS1 and KS2
  • Supporting pupils to interpret and question data
  • Identifying and addressing misconceptions
  • Inclusive approaches to teaching data
  • Cross-curricular links with mathematics and science
  • Developing meaningful data-rich learning experiences

How long is this course?

This course is approximately 4 hours of self-directed learning.    

How will you learn?

This online, self-paced course can be completed flexibly. You can join and start this course at any time after the advertised date, and keep access for a year after booking.    

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • explain what data represents and how it is generated in different contexts
  • describe how pupils' understanding of data develops across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
  • identify common misconceptions in pupils' interpretation of data
  • plan learning activities that support pupils to interpret, question, and use data meaningfully
  • make links between data learning in computing, mathematics, and science
  • adapt approaches to ensure all learners can access and engage with data concepts

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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This course is from the National Centre for Computing Education and is delivered by STEM Learning.

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