Assessment of primary computing

CP007 Face to face course

Develop your confidence and knowledge in assessing computing across the primary age range.

Leadership Key stage 2 Primary certificate

Face to face course 1 day

Develop your confidence and knowledge in assessing computing across the primary age range. Effective teaching includes the skilful use of assessment, to check children’s knowledge and understanding, and to overcome misconceptions. Accurate assessment informs adapted teaching, allowing teachers to build upon previous learning and supporting development of ideas and skills through the whole computing curriculum. This CPD aims to improve teachers’ knowledge of how to accurately assess their pupils. Through a range of in-lesson and summative assessment approaches you will confidently evaluate learning in computing, in ways that complement teaching across all subjects. You’ll find out what is different about computing, ensuring that your assessment of programming knowledge and skills is accurate. You’ll also consider how to assess computational thinking – the key capability to solve problems using computers. Schools follow a diverse set of assessment policies and practices – this CPD recognises the different school contexts and guides participants to apply techniques and tools that work with, not against, the wider school ethos.

Who is it for?

Teacher and subject leaders of computing in primary schools

Topics covered

Session 1 What are we assessing – develop an improved understanding of the over-arching computing curriculum; the key concepts and skills it contains; and the assessable outcomes in the classroom. Build a toolkit of assessment-for-learning approaches and give better feedback, while reducing workload.

Session 2 Evaluating the impact of assessment approaches – you’ll be guided through a process of identifying your assessment priorities, and designing a simple assessment approach. You’ll be given tips on how to evaluate the impact of the approach, ensuring that you focus efforts on practices that work, and stop wasting time on those that don’t.

Session 3 Assessing programming – programming consists of a progression in knowledge, and the skills to apply that knowledge. You’ll discover a range of techniques to assess pupil progress and to embed knowledge, and develop a clear vision of age-related

Session 4 Assessing computational thinking – after defining more clearly what is meant by computational thinking, you will go on to consider the observable indicators of ability in problem solving with computers. You’ll consider the different aspects of designing algorithms and programmes, and what to look for whether using programmable toys or programming onscreen.

Session 5 Assessment in the context of your school – Under expert guidance you’ll consider the opportunities to embed improved assessment of computing in your school while aligning with whole-school policy and approaches. You’ll develop a clear action plan, giving you confident to make positive changes that lead to improved assessment with reduced effort.

How long is this course?

The 5 sessions are the equivalent of a day of CPD

How will you learn?

This is a blended course, part in-person face-to-face and part remotely-facilitated online.

Outcomes

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

recognise effective techniques for formative and summative assessment.
understand where these can be best applied, mapped to the Teach Computing curriculum.
take-away a selection of ready-to-apply tools and techniques to reduce workload.
confidently lead the improvement of assessment approaches in computing across your school

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.

Find out more

Dates coming soon

Contact your local Computing Hub for more information

Find your local Hub

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

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