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Teaching key stage 1 computing - residential

CP001 Face to face course

Develop your confidence to teach the whole key stage 1 computing curriculum successfully.

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Leadership Algorithmic thinking Computer networks Computer systems Data & information Impact of technology Programming Safety & Security Residential and Intensive Key stage 1 Teach primary computing certificate
Face to face course 2 days
  • York 26 March 10:00—27 March 2025

This two-day residential will support understanding of what computing learning looks like in the first years of primary school. You will explore the breadth of computing, through activities which develop skills and knowledge across the curriculum in Key Stage 1.

You will develop your subject knowledge of computing and develop approaches to support younger learners develop understanding and skills in computing. You will take-away engaging ways to teach computing using a range of strategies, including making the most of what is available in your school and through your local computing hub. Combining popular and accessible tools, you will develop the skills and ideas to support creative projects produced by your children throughout computing and the wider curriculum.

Completing this CPD will contribute towards recognised certification through the Teach primary computing certificate. You'll be supported along the way by your peers and experienced teaching professionals.

This course is delivered as part of the National Centre for Computing Education.

This is a residential course at the National STEM Learning Centre, York. Meals and overnight accommodation are included for participants for the duration of the course. 

If you wish to extend your stay in York, bed and breakfast will be available at the centre’s on-site accommodation at a discounted rate of £45+VAT per night. You can email [email protected] to secure this rate, providing their course booking information and confirming the night(s) they would like to stay.

Who is it for?

Primary classroom teachers and computing leads looking to develop their subject knowledge and teaching approaches in Key Stage 1 computing.

Topics covered

01 What is computing?- understand the aims of the Computing Curriculum at KS1 and why it is an important subject for children. Explore vocabulary associated with teaching KS1 computing and effective approaches for developing children’s understanding. Develop an awareness of how children learn in computing and how this relates to teaching in KS1.

02 Understanding Computer Systems and Networks- understand how ideas about and use of technology are developed through KS1. Explore possible misconceptions in this area and how to support learning of correct conceptual understanding.

03 Understanding programming and algorithms- explore what computational thinking is and how it underpins programming and other computing activities. Develop your knowledge of algorithms and try out practical ways of teaching this to pupils.  Explore ways of teaching programming to KS1 pupils.

04 Digital literacy understand how digital literacy is taught across the computing curriculum and help children be safe, knowledgeable and skilled users of technology and the internet.

05 Data Handling - understand data handling in KS1 and become familiar with age-appropriate software used for data handling.

06 Creative computing - support children to use a range of software and hardware to work with text, images and audio, and evaluate tools for appropriateness to a task. Explore how to use technology to support and enhance the teaching of other subject areas.

How long is this course?

This residential is two days in duration, you’ll complete approx. 12 hours of CPD.

How will you learn?

Expert guidance from experienced and knowledgeable teachers of primary computing.

Discussion with the course Professional Development Leader and other participants ensuring you have confidence in your understanding, and can consider computing in the context of your own school.

Hands-on experiential learning, undertaking activities that can be used back in the classroom and shared with colleagues.

Outcomes

You will be able to:

  • Understand how ideas about and use of technology are developed through KS1
  • Know how computational thinking underpins programming and other computing activities
  • Explain effective approaches for teaching programming to KS1 pupils
  • Be able to support the development of digital literacy in KS1
  • Learn through projects and lessons where they collect and share data through surveys and investigations
  • Support children create a range of digital content 
  • Consider their own use of technology, the benefits and risks that it brings, and know its importance in the world and their learning through development of your own subject knowledge, pedagogy and 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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This course is from the National Centre for Computing Education and is delivered by STEM Learning.

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